|
 It
was the 25th December 1975
when the Chorus Urbanus was officially
inaugurated during the Christmas
Midnight Mass at St. George’s Basilica.
Today, the Chorus Urbanus is thirty two
years old, and going from strength to
strength. Never looking back or resting
on its laurels, the Chorus Urbanus has
embarked on the tough way ahead since it
was elbowed out of the Basilica in 2000
by former archpriest Dr. Joseph
Farrugia, the founder of
Laudate Pueri Choir.
Ever since December 2000,
the Chorus Urbanus has been invited to
animate the liturgical functions at
Fontana.
Rev. Canon Lino Vella leads his first
Midnight Mass at Fontana Parish
The congregation that
packed the National Shrine of the Sacred
Heart on Christmas night was in a
festive mood, befitting the celebration
of Christ’s nativity and the awaiting of
his second return. The night’s liturgy
started at 11.30am with the traditional
priedka tat-tifel (child's
sermon) that was delivered with panache
by one of the altar servers. Then the
service started with sung Matins, with
parish priest Vella and the
concelebrating priests all giving their
contribution to enhance the festive
occasion. After the Proclamation of the
Nativity, Canon Vella proceeded to one
of the side altars to carry Baby Jesus
in procession amongst the joyous singing
of Adeste Fideles by the choir. Then
while intoning the “Gloria” to the
shrill sound of little bells, the
festive voices of the Chorus Urbanus
repeated the angels’ announcement “et in
terra pax”. It was indeed a feast of
voices proclaiming the Light, the Word
that became Flesh. The choir also
performed the intimate and hushed
While Shepherds watched their flocks by
Night during the Offertory and
the Gloria de Noel during
Communion. The service ended with the
performance of Hark the Herald Angels
Sing.
After the service the
choir members were treated to drinks and
pastry delicacies at the Parish Hall,
where Canon Vella and former Parish
Priest Canon George Bezzina were present
to exchange greetings.
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