If in the face of a culture of death in all its forms, we make clear choices in favour of life, the dignity of all creations, we will surely leave the world a better place than we found it, Archbishop Charles Scicluna said.

The Mass on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven took at the Mosta Basilica on Tuesday.

Despite all our shortcomings, the Archbishop said that people are chosen to be ambassadors of life from its beginning to its end.

"We have a beautiful destiny and an everlasting life, which we can start from this life on earth if we choose love and service as the style of our life. If in a culture of death in all its forms, we make a clear choice for life, for the dignity of every person, for the beautiful destiny of humanity, for the vocation of each and every one of us, we can make sure we are leaving the world better than we found it," Scicluna said.

On the 15 of August, the Maltese islands comes alive with vibrant celebrations to honor the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, known as Santa Marija.

The feast of Santa Marija typically entails a small break from everyone's busy lives, to celebrate Malta's rich heritage, religious devotion and local customs.

Church devotees gather to attend a mass in churches across the islands to start off the day. Statues of the Virgin Mary are also carried in processions through Maltese streets, which would have been adorned with colourful banners, lights and traditional decorations.

People gather to witness and participate in these processions, which wind through the streets of towns and villages. Devotees often dress in traditional attire and carry candles as they join in the procession.

Some Maltese people even take part in religious pilgrimages to churches and shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary during Santa Marija week.

Santa Marija is celebrated in eight different towns and villages around Malta and Gozo, which are Ghaxaq, Gudja, Attard, Mosta, Mqabba, Qrendi, Birkirkara and Rabat in Gozo.

The village feasts feature local bands playing traditional music, with the streets lined with stalls offering traditional foods and treats.

Santa Marija is also a public holiday in Malta. Aside from being a feast, the day has historical value. Operation Pedestal - popularly known as the Santa Marija Convoy in Malta - was when the first three of five merchant ships to make the journey to Malta during the height of WW2 - a further nine were lost - reached Valletta's Grand Harbour.