The feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary – 8 September
The Otto Settembre, as it was traditionally known in Malta, is a special day in the calendar of the Church and that of Malta. For the Church it is the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, a celebration taking place on his day as from the 6th century in the Eastern Church and then spread to the Western Church by the 7th century. In Malta, various parishes celebrate this feast with great solemnity.
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The 8th of September is also a National Day commemorating the Victories of the Great Siege of 1565, when the Knights of the Order of Malta and the Maltese managed to withstand the assault of the Ottoman forces against the island, and the Victory against Nazi and Fascist forces during the Second World War.
Mass was celebrated at Saint John’s Co-Cathedral by Monsignor Joseph Bajada together with other members of the Cathedral Chapter. The Maltese Association, led by its President, Dr Michael Grech, members of the Council, Knights and Dames and Aspirants, attended Mass in celebration of this special day.
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Readings were said by Professor Alex Felice and Marchesino Josef Formosa Gauci, while the Bidding Prayers were read by Dr Noel Buttigieg Scicluna.
After Mass, the Te Deum was sung, while the National Anthem brought the Mass to a close.
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Photos credit: Christopher Cassar Torreggiani KM
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