In the run up to the feast of St. Dominic in Valletta, Friday morning saw a procession with a difference; it was carried out solely by children.

The children’s feast is a long-standing tradition that takes place across numerous localities.  Fr Michael Camilleri, who is the parish priest of the St Dominic parish, recalls the tradition happening for at least 40 years, but judging by the recollections of the older generation of parish patrons he thinks that it’s been held for almost a century now, with the St. Dominic parish being one of the first to hold such a feast.

The tradition, Fr Camilleri explained, starts with a mass in which the children are encouraged to bring with them charitable donations, either in the form of money or foodstuffs, which will then be shared out with the poor.  After the mass, a procession is held wherein the children carry a small statute into the city streets.  In the past three years, Fr Camilleri said, they have also added a small band to the event so to bring it to life a bit more.

Put simply, it’s a feast that is adapted for children, and a tradition that is sure to continue for many years to come.