Xaghra celebrated the traditional feast of St Anthony the Abbot last Sunday. After Mass, celebrated by Mgr Carmelo Refalo – Archpriest of Xaghra, in the old church dedicated to the saint, he blessed horses in St Anthony Square. This was followed by a dogs’ show and a cats’ show.

Besides these events, there were also races for children. All these four events were organized by Xaghra local council. Prizes to the winners were distributed by Xaghra mayor Joseph Cordina.

Pontifical Mass was celebrated by the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech in the parish basilica of Maria Bambina, with members of the chapter and clergy concelebrating.

The statue of the saint was then taken in procession to St Anthony Square, accompanied by the Victory Band of Xaghra.

Hundreds of people, together with their pets, then filed past the Bishop, each one receiving a bag of wheat, a traditional loaf and a book on the life of the saint.