Each year on February 10th, Malta comes alive with vibrant celebrations in honour of the Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck. As the patron saint of the island nation, Saint Paul holds a special place in the hearts of the Maltese people, and his feast day is one of the few religious observances that hold the status of a national holiday.

As recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, Saint Paul was shipwrecked on Malta while being taken to Rome as a prisoner. His ship broke apart on the island’s rocky shores, but all aboard survived. The local population initially suspected Paul of being a condemned man when he was bitten by a poisonous snake. However, after he remained unharmed, they believed he might be divine. Paul soon demonstrated that it was God’s power at work, as he began teaching the Gospel and healing the sick, including the island’s governor, Publius. His time in Malta left a lasting spiritual legacy, and the grateful locals provided him with supplies for his journey.