• The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is being celebrated today in Xlendi. Concelebrated Mass will be led by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech at 10 a.m.
The annual three-hour water sports event and greasy pole competition will be held in the bay from 3 p.m. Solemn vespers will be sung at 6.45 p.m., followed by the procession at 7.30 p.m., with the participation of the St Gregory Band.
The procession ends at 9.30 p.m. with the anthem, antiphon and sacramental blessing. A blessing ceremony will be held and scapulars of Our Lady will be distributed.
• The Cultural Council is organising a ceremony celebrating Victory Day today at 6.30 p.m. at It-Tokk, Victoria.
• The feast of the Nativity of Our Lady is being celebrated in Xagħra tomorrow. Vicar general Giovanni Bosco Gauci will lead a concelebrated Mass today at 8.30 a.m. The Te Deum will also be sung.
A programme of activities commemorating the two sieges will be held at Victory Square at 9.30 a.m. Wreaths will be placed at the siege monument.
Mgr Grech leads a solemn pontifical translation today at 6.30 p.m. The Victory, Mnarja and St Joseph bands will play marches in the streets at 9.30 and 10 p.m., followed by a ground fireworks display in Victory Square.
Mgr Grech leads a pontifical concelebrated Mass tomorrow at 9 a.m., after which he will deliver the panegyric. The A Maria Immacolata Mass, by Mro Vincenzo Bugeja, will be performed by the Jesus of Nazareth choir and a number of soloists, under the direction of Mro Salv. Galea.
The Beland Band of Zejtun and St Visitation Band of Għarb will play marches at 11.30 a.m. Former archpriest Eucharist Sultana leads vespers, with the participation of the collegiate chapter at 6 p.m., followed by marches by the Victory and Leone bands.
The procession, led by archpriest Carmelo Refalo, starts at 7 p.m. The Victory Band will take part, while the Leone Band will perform a musical programme at Victory Square.
The procession ends with the antiphon and a Eucharistic celebration at 10 p.m. Festivities end with marches by the Victory Band.
• Tombola evenings will be held in the foyer of La Stella Band Club from Tuesday from 7.30 p.m. Transport and admission are free of charge.
• The Charismatic group Bethel is holding a prayer meeting at Our Lady of Pompei church, Victoria, on Saturday at 7.30 p.m.
• Activities to mark the feast of Our Lady of Graces, at the Capuchins church, Victoria:
On Thursday at 8 p.m., a dinner is being held opposite the Capuchins church. Tickets are available from Vincent Vella (tel: 2155 1026) or George Debono (2155 1460/7955 1460).
On Friday, those wishing to donate blood are to meet Mr Debono at the Gozo General Hospital at 8.30 a.m.
On Sunday a traditional pilgrimage of bicycles and motorcycles will leave the square opposite Ta' Pinu Sanctuary at 11 a.m. for Our Lady of Graces in Victoria. Fr Karm Dimech will bless the vehicles.
cspiteri@timesofmalta.com