The Feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck is one of the most prominent public holidays celebrated in Malta. This holiday commemorates the historic event when St. Paul the Apostle was shipwrecked on the Maltese islands around AD 60. It is held annually on February 10 and is a major occasion in Malta’s religious calendar that is attended by a large number of locals as well as tourists from around the world.
The Feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck is celebrated mainly in Valletta with a grand parade, an ornate procession, and high Mass in St. Paul's Shipwreck Church. The streets are also filled with band marches playing traditional Maltese music. A statue of St. Paul is carried through the streets, commemorating his survival and subsequent legacy. Intricately designed religious art, flowers and decorations adorn the streets, adding life to the celebration.
Why is the Feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck so significant in Malta? The story tells that St. Paul was on his way to Rome to face charges but was shipwrecked on Malta. He spent three months on the island, preaching the gospel and performing miracles, before he travelled on to Rome. It is believed that he brought Christianity to the Maltese Islands. The feast marks the sense of pride Maltese feel for being one of the oldest Christian communities in the world.