• Today, San Lawrenz celebrates the feast of its patron saint with a pontifical Mass led by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech at 9am. Fr Michael Grima will deliver the panegyric. Masses will be said at 5.30am, 7am, 11am and 6pm. Solemn vespers will be led by Għarb archpriest Mgr Trevor Sultana at 7pm with the participation of the Levita Laurentius choir, followed by marches by the La Stella Band. At 7.45pm, the La Stella Band will play the titular hymn A San Lorenzo Levita e Martire (verses by Luigi Billion and music by Mro Giuseppe Giardini Vella), followed by a concert at the main square. The procession with the statue of St Lawrence, accompanied by the Victory Band, will take place at 8pm. At 10.15pm the procession will end with a fireworks display and with the antiphon and sacramental benediction. A thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated by parish priest Fr Charles Sultana tomorrow at 7pm.
• A blood donation session will be held at the Xewkija District Health Centre today from 8am to 1pm.
• Gozo Bishop Mario Grech will lead a night vigil at Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary square on Tuesday from 8pm to 10.15pm, followed by adoration and Midnight Mass.
Transport will be available from all parishes. For more information, call 2145 3105. The event will be broadcast live on Radju Marija 102.3FM/107.8FM.
• Heritage Malta will be celebrating the feast of Santa Marija with free admission to its museums and sites at the Citadel as well as the Cittadella Visitors’ Centre from 9am to 4.30pm. Visitors will be able to view the Old Prison, the Gran Castello Historic House, the Nature Museum and the Museum of Archaeology. Guided tours in English will also be available at the following times: Old Prison at 10am and the Gran Castello Historic House at 11am.
• Il-Komunità ĠesÙ Salvatur will hold prayer meetings at the Xagħra Basilica on Friday and at Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary on Saturday at 6.30pm with Mass at 9.30pm. Everyone is invited.
charles.spiteri@timesofmalta.com