St Paul in Malta and the shaping of a nation’s identity : introduction

Abstract

The Malta passages in Acts 27 and 28 have shaped Maltese identity in a special way. For many centuries, the inhabitants of Malta and Gozo have celebrated the arrival of St Paul in our islands in their traditions, art, architecture, literature and landscape. For the islanders, Paul became an important juncture where Christian faith and ideas of Malteseness came together to forge a unique sense of belonging and identity. Pauline Malta is a spiritual destination to which every Maltese travels. For many visitors, a journey to our islands cannot be separated from Malta’s Pauline phenomenon. For indeed, Paul’s shipwreck as described in the Malta passages in Acts 28 are among the more internationally recognised iconic events, that have been captured in narratives during the last two millennia. The exhibition St Paul in Malta and the shaping of a nation’s identity celebrates both the 1,950 anniversary of Paul’s shipwreck on our shores, as well as the visit to Malta by Pope Benedict XVI. The exhibition is very much a re- visiting of Maltese identity, as well as a celebration of our Christian roots. It follows in the footsteps of similar celebrations that have been held in the past. The centenary celebrations of St Paul’s Shipwreck in 1858, at the time representing the accepted date for the shipwreck, became the !rst modern Pauline manifestation to be undertaken on a grand scale, with thousands of Maltese and Gozitans making their way to Valletta for the occasion. In 1960, the centenary manifestations of that year drew even larger crowds, with national celebrations being led by the papal legate Cardinal Louis Joseph Muench and Archbishop Michael Gonzi3 . On that occasion, distinguished art historians Vincenzo Bonello and John A. Cauchi curated the exhibition Sacred Art in Malta, for the National Pauline Committee4 . Held at the Catholic Institute, Floriana, the exhibition brought together a series of ancient and modern works of art under one roof, a truly cultural event that was in many ways a !rst for the Maltese islands. [excerpt from the Introduction]