This is how the Maltese people first got to know God
In the year 60 A.D. St. Paul shipwrecked on the Maltese coast. At that time the island was known as ‘Melita’. St. Paul was being taken to Rome in order to to be prosecuted by a Roman jury. Though the ship carrying him and some 247 others was caught in a heavy storm and was shipwrecked, all aboard swam safely to land. The Maltese people gave a warm welcome to St. Paul and his people. They fed them and lit up a fire. St. Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake but he suffered no illness. The Maltese realised that he must be a special man. He cured Publius’s father from a serious fever and the former became the first Bishop of Malta.
In Malta we celebrate the Feast of St. Paul on the 10th February and a collegiate church dedicated to him is found in Valletta..
I can proudly say that I was baptised in this Church which my family and I are very fond of.
by Esekiel Vella, Year 7P
As the Holy Bible states, it was the apostle Paul himself who introduced Christianity to Malta in the year 60 AD.
Christianity was introduced to Malta by St. Paul himself as he was being taken to Rome to be tried as a political rebel. However, during this voyage, they were caught in a harsh storm and were wrecked in Malta. Once they swam ashore, the Maltese helped them by first starting a fire. Paul, who was by this fire, was bit by a poisonous snake but this did not affect him leading people to believe he was a special man. During his stay, he converted the Maltese to Catholics with Publius becoming the first Bishop.
This is such an important episode in Maltese History that the 10th February is a public feast. Furthermore, a statue to commemorate this event was erected on St. Paul’s island where it is said that the shipwreck occurred.
by Craig Camilleri, Year 7P