The Pauline Centenary 1960

Abstract

In 1960 Malta's Catholicism will echo throughout the Catholic world, for this will be the Centenary Year of the Shipwreck of St. Paul on our shores. We shall show that "Malta although small in size is historically great," to Catholics all over the world and even to those behind the Iron Curtain. Malta will give testimony of its living faith and its love towards St. Paul who through his providential shipwreck, gave us Christianity. Mgr. Gonzi, Archbishop of Malta, felt that in celebrating this Centenary he was fulfilling a twofold aim, that is, both a duty and an existing need. A duty because we all have the wish to thank Divine Providence for having made use of a tempest, to bring to our shores the Apostle of the Gentiles. A. need because, the Centenary should bring about a renewal of religious life in every Maltese family. It is true, that Malta, after embracing the faith of Paul vowed complete fidelity to this belief, which it has kept uninterrupted for nineteen centuries, but it is the duty of every Maltese to-day to keep alive the faith. The Centenary should make us realize that the Church in Malta is at a turning point, in its long colourful history. The existing need of a renewal in the Faith is evident in this changing Island. In announcing the Centenary Celebrations on November 1st, 1958, His Grace the Archbishop gave evidence of both this duty and this need. It now rests with every Maltese priest and layman to bring them to fruition m his own sphere of life and action