Malta’s Jubilee mission: A pilgrimage through Christian history – aleteia.org

Nick D'Ancona
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Malta’s Christian heritage is as ancient as that of Jerusalem, Ephesus, Corinth, and Rome. It was onto these shores, in AD 60, that a shipwreck brought St. Paul, changing the course of history for the archipelago. His arrival not only introduced the faith but established an unbroken Christian tradition that has endured for  two millennia. Throughout the year, as the Church embarked on the 2025 Jubilee under the theme Pilgrims of Hope, Malta stood and is standing as a profound destination for spiritual renewal.
Pope Benedict XVI, during his 2010 visit to Malta, described Paul’s arrival as “the greatest gift” the island had ever received. The Acts of the Apostles recount how Paul and his companions, shipwrecked off Malta’s coast, were met with “unusual kindness” {Acts 28:2}. During his stay, he performed miracles of healing, including curing the father of Publius, the island’s governor, who would later become Malta’s first bishop.
Though Acts does not explicitly state that Paul converted the Maltese, the idea that he remained silent for three months is unthinkable. Early Christian artifacts, Byzantine churches, and 4th-century catacombs all suggest that the faith took root quickly. By the time of Emperor Constantine’s Edict of Milan in 313, which granted freedom of worship to Christians (religio licita), Malta had already developed an organized Christian community.
Despite a period of Muslim rule (869–1091) and other foreign dominion, Christianity in Malta never disappeared. Medieval documents and archaeological evidence indicate that even under Islamic governance, a Christian population persisted. By the 12th century, as the islands were reclaimed by Norman Christians, historical texts describe local Christian bishops and communities emerging from oppression. Malta’s uninterrupted Christian tradition is a testament to the resilience of faith and hope.
For modern pilgrims, Malta offers a profound spiritual journey through its Pauline heritage. The Peregrinatio Sancti Pavli Apostoli AD 60 pilgrimage retraces Paul’s time on the island, from St. Paul’s Bay – believed to be the site of the shipwreck –  to Rabat’s St. Paul’s Grotto, where he lived and preached. Along the way, visitors encounter Christian catacombs, ancient churches, and relics that bear witness to the island’s enduring faith.
For those seeking an even longer pilgrimage, the Camino Maltés offers a remarkable experience. This 35-km route begins at St. Paul’s Grotto, passes through Żejtun and concludes in Fort St. Angelo in Birgu., where pilgrims embark on a journey to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, through Sicily and Sardinia. This makes Malta one of the official starting points for the famed Camino de Santiago, connecting it to a broader European tradition of Christian pilgrimage – c. 3,600km long!.
While the Maltese Archipelago is deeply Pauline, it is also profoundly Marian. With over 200 churches dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the islands are a sanctuary of Marian devotion. Some scholars attribute this to the influence of St. Luke, Paul’s companion, whose Gospel is the most Marian of the four. Others point to the enduring faith of the Maltese people, who have long invoked Mary’s intercession in times of trial.
One of the most significant Jubilee pilgrimages is the Melita Mariana, a five-day, 60 km journey across Malta and Gozo. This pilgrimage explores some of the island’s most revered Marian sites, including:
Madonna Ta’ Pinu National Marian Shrine (Gozo): A place of miraculous healings and answered prayers, Ta’ Pinu is a beacon of faith for thousands.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa (National Marian Shrine, Malta): Believed to have been blessed by St. Luke, this site has attracted pilgrims since the early Christian era.
Our Lady of Good Hope Chapel (Mosta): A small but powerful shrine, embodying the Jubilee’s theme of hope.
The Assumption of Mary- Santa Marija Assunta (various churches – like the Mosta parish basilica of the Assumption): is Malta’s most celebrated feast, demonstrating the nation’s deep love for the Mother of God.
Pope Francis opened the Holy Door in Rome, marking the beginning of the Jubilee, and Malta is welcoming pilgrims seeking faith, history, and renewal. Whether seeking Christ through walking in the footsteps of St. Paul, honoring Mary’s presence, or embarking on the Camino Maltés, these sacred journeys offer a profound encounter with a faith that has withstood the test of time.
In Malta, the message of the Jubilee is clear: hope endures, faith prevails, and the pilgrim’s path leads ever closer to Grace.
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