The much awaited Lenten experience succeeded. The Basilica of Xagħra was packed with people: Gozitans, Maltese and even foreigners who attended for ‘Crucifixus’. It was truly a spiritual experience which joined three elements: ART, MUSIC and LITERATURE. Schola Cantorum Jubilate was responsible for the musical part.
The repertoire presented on this occasion included: ‘O Ras ta’ Kristu Imbierka’ (Bach), ‘Crucem Tuam’ (Bartolucci), ‘Miserere’ (Allegri), ‘Popule Meus’ (Palestrina), ‘Crux Fidelis’ (Portelli), ‘O Vos Omnes’ (Croce) and ‘God so loved the world’ (Stainer). Bass Albert Buttigieg interpreted ‘Holy one, dying for mortals’ (from ‘The Burial of Christ) by A. Klughardt and Soprano Marouska Attard interpreted Bach’s ‘Be thou with me’. Both soloists were accompanied by Joseph Camilleri on the organ. The literature part included meditations and prayers written by Fr. Joseph Bajada who was also the soirée’s artistic director. These readings were inspired from writings by Pope Benedict XVI and Fr. José Miguel Ibáñez Langlois and were read by actor Mario Micallef and Joyce Curmi.
With regards art, the audience had the opportunity to admire the Crucifix which was brought from Lecce 100 years ago. Special light effects lead the audience to appreciate and understand the artistic value of such work of art created by Luigi Guacci. Present for this occasion was Mgr. Charles Scicluna who is Bishop Auxiliary for the Maltese Diocese.
During this same occasion, a new book ‘The Good Friday Procession, Xagħra-Gozo’ was launched. This is a production of the Kumitat Festi tal-Għid which gives an account of the origins of the procession and serves also as a guide for all those who attend for the pageantry procession on Good Friday. Mgr. Arc. C. Refalo who delivered a speech on the occasion, presented the first copies of this mentioned book to Arc. Emer. E. Sultana and to Mgr. Scicluna. Mgr. Scicluna thanked Mgr. Arc. Refalo for the invitation and showed his appreciation for the choir saying that the sacrifices that each chorister does can be seen in its output.
Before leaving the church, the congregation was encouraged to leave donations at the door for the Arka Respite Centre.
