Annual Festa Il-Victoria
History of the Festa
Each September 8th the Maltese gather to celebrate Our Lady of Victory, Maria Bambina. September 8th is the Birth of Our Lady, the Mother of God and is tied to two important dates of victory and rebirth in history. The first victory is known as the Great Siege of 1565. This is where the Ottoman Empire was set out to crush Christianity in Europe and established base in Malta. For five months the island defended the shores and on 8 September 1565 the remaining Turkish army left Malta. Then again during the Second World War, after three years of withstanding bombs from the Italian air force, the Maltese people and British forces defended the islands and the siege was truly lifted on 8 September 1943 when Italy ceded.
Celebration
The Maltese American Benevolent Society has been hosting the Festa Il-Victoria for the past 12 years. This is a day of joyous celebration. The day begins with a Mass at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church followed by festivities at the Maltese American Benevolent Society in Detroit, Michigan. Traditional Maltese dishes are served as well as American cuisine. In addition to food, there are Maltese vendors and a 50/50 raffle. This event is the pinnacle of Maltese Celebration in Detroit.
On September 11th, 2022, we held our 13th annual festa. The day started with Mass at Most Holy Trinity. The club introduced a beautiful new statue of Our Lady of Victory, commissioned in Malta, and blessed by Monsignor Kosanke. The day was warm and nice with a large turnout. Rabbit Stew and Baked Macaroni were the highlighted Maltese dishes. Our vendors included Rachel Cini-Darin with Petite Patriots and Paul & Maria Galea with homemade Maltese cheese. Overall, it was a great event! The 14th annual Festa will take place on September 10th, 2023. Be on the lookout for more details!
Take a look at the 2022 Festa Booklet by clicking on the middle picture below!
Thank you to those who donated to our new statue of Our Lady of Victory, Maria Bambina!
Larry Busuttil
John & Grace Caruana
Tony Caruana (+)
Paul & Lucy Cefia
Robert Felice
Sam & Lily Flask
Raymond Formosa
Lou & Nancy Grech-Cumbo
MABSI
Carmen Micallef
Mario & Lily Micallef
John Miffie
Joseph & Nancy Mifsud
Fred & Josie Portelli
Toni Portelli
Joe & Lisa Said
Eleno Sammut
Noel & Marlene Scicluna
Paul Scicluna
Christopher Sultana
Fortun Sultana
George Sultana
Manuel Sultana
Victor & Grace Sultana
Fortun Zammit
Sam Zammit
Ray Z.