The feast of Our Lady of Consolation, known also as Our Lady of the Girdle, took place in Gudja on October 25, 26 and 27. It was a really big feast with all the ingredients of the traditional Maltese fiesta: fireworks, band marches, decorations and enthusiasm filled the air and hearts.

I enjoyed these evenings and I felt relaxed and happy to be present. The people of Gudja love our Lady and keep three feasts in her honour: Our Lady of the Rosary on the first Sunday in October, St Mary (Santa Marija) on August 15 and Our Lady of Consolation on the last Sunday of October. It is amazing that these feasts are organised so well in a short span of time and involve hundreds of fellows young and old!

I felt involved because the people of Gudja are so friendly and happy that they go out of their way to help you enjoy their feasts.

The 9.15 High Mass on Sunday morning was very solemn, with the participation of the orchestra conducted by maestro and composer Hermann Farrugia Frantz. The morning march lacked nothing and it was well attended. The evening procession with the statue was so smooth and devout that one could feel the real consolation and peace of the soul.

I would like to thank the archpriest, Fr Martin Cardona, for his hearty welcome, Tony Mangion, president of the confraternity, Omar Xuereb, the newly-elected president of Marija Assunta Band and, of course, all those involved. Joe Baldacchino, owner of Is-Sajjied Complex of Marsaxlokk, kept me company and did his utmost to make me enjoy every bit of the feast.

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