Marsascala community marks statue’s 70 years

The Marsascala community is this year celebrating the 70th anniversary from the arrival of the titular statue of St Anne. It was on Saturday 6, 1947 when the statue arrived from Ortisei, Province of Bolzano, Italy. It was the dream of then parish priest Fr Tarċis that St Anne’s church become a parish church and that he will build a much bigger church than the one in La Sengle Street. It was also his dream that the church will have its titular statue. This came about thanks to the good and generous heart of a certain Spiru Vella from Vittoriosa, who paid for the statue’s expenses. Various religious activities are being held to commemorate this anniversary. At the end of last year Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona concelebrated Mass together with Marsascala parish priest Roderick Camilleri and other priests. As part of the celebrations marking the feast of St Anne on July 30, newly-born babies were presented to St Anne. This is an ancient tradition held by the parish church, welcoming babies born in Marsascala and other villages to be presented to St Anne. On the eve of the feast, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, together with other priests, concelebrated an open-air Mass as part of...