On the feast of St. Ann and St. Joachim, parents of Our Lady, Ann Marie Magrin and Roderick Cini promised eternal love to each other during the Nuptial Mass held at the Basilica of Maria Bambina, Xagħra. The Wedding Mass started at 5.30pm and was officiated by Mgr. Archpriest Carmel Refalo.
The bride entered the church accompanied by Schubert’s ‘Ave Maria’ which was interpreted by Marouska Attard. The other pieces performed during the ceremony were: Allelulia’, ‘Panis Angelicus’ (Franck), ‘Sanctus’ and ‘Agnus Dei’ (Oltrasi), ‘Il-Mulej qam mill-imwiet’ (Portelli), ‘The Lord Bless you and keep you’ (Rutter), ‘Bless the Lord’ (Taize’) and ‘Jubilate Deo’ (Portelli). The choir was accompanied by members of the Jubilate Ensemble. The ceremony ended ‘The Wedding March’ by Felix Mendelsshon.
Little is known about Ann and Joachim, but they were for sure the first teachers who led Mary to repond to God’s request. Special wishes go to Ann Marie, who is celebrating the feast of her Patron Saint and to Roderick, on their special day which gives a start to their new journey.