I recently had the privilege of visiting Malta for a short four night break. I had annual leave from work and vouchers and a gift from my family which helped pay for my travel and accommodation. Malta was on my bucket list of travel destinations ever since I lived in Rome while attending a school of mission in 2011-12. I knew that Malta has a similar climate to the Eternal City and that springtime would be a good time to travel to the island and to visit its sister island of Gozo, both situated in the central Mediterranean Sea between Sicily to the north and Libya on the North African coastline to the south.
While I lived in Rome I had the privilege of being immersed in the life of the Catholic Church and learning so much about the lives of the saints, including Saint Paul. The same Catholic tradition is embedded in Maltese culture since Saint Paul arrived there over 2,000 years ago. It was a pivotal moment in the history of Malta and the Mediterranean when his ship ran aground on the island in AD 60 while he and his companions were travelling a torturous journey to Rome.The scene is recalled in The Acts of the Apostles “But we are to be stranded on some island” (Acts 27:26).
While the shipwreck clearly wasn’t planned and it left Paul and his companions as castaways, he had unwavering trust in God’s providence, and they were warmly welcomed by the Maltese people who showed them “unusual kindness” (Acts 28:2). During his three month stay there Paul shared the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them and it took deep root among the people. Centuries later the Maltese people are still known for their deep Catholic faith and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The walled yet small city of Valletta is Malta’s capital city. It is a vibrant cultural and commercial centre that has coveted UNESCO World Heritage site status. Located on a hilly peninsula the fabric of the city includes famous buildings and monuments such as such as the Palace of the Grand Master, the Cathedral of St John, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with its majestic 42-metre dome that makes it the tallest building in the city. Valletta attracts many tourists for its theatres, museums, carnivals, and attractive waterfront, streets, squares and side streets. I stayed in 19 Rooms, a comfortable newly renovated boutique hotel, housed in an 18th century building close to the waterfront.
Valletta is very much a living city too and on a excellent small group walking tour of the city given by a professional guide we received many insights about the 16th century buildings historic building and how some of these centuries old structures have been remodelled for social housing. The city’s distinctive Catholic tradition is reflected by the numerous churches scattered among its varied architecture in a precinct that extends from beginning centrally from the City Gate to at Fort Saint Elmo overlooking the Mediterranean. It is well known for celebrating its Christian identity and particularly preserving its long-time tradition of commemorating the feast of St Paul’s Shipwreck, which falls on 10 February. This Catholic feast is also one of Malta’s major public holidays, and in Valletta the streets are beautifully decorated for a procession commemorating the great missionary saint who sowed the seeds of Christianity on the island.
While I was mainly in Malta for a time of rest and renewal, I also had some time for prayer and reflection. I had an opportunity to attend the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel for evening Mass and to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. English is widely spoken in Malta and it was very consoling to receive the healing effect of God’s grace through the poignant pastoral ministry of the priest. I prayed for a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit in my life, and because I couldn’t follow the lengthy homily in Maltese, I was led to reflect on a reading from the Office of Readings [prayed by priests and religious] for that day. It was from the treatise “On Spiritual Perfection” by Diadochus of Photiké, and it challenged my way of thinking:-
Those who are struggling in battle ought always to keep their souls free of the tumultuous waves of distraction. If they do this, the mind will be able to distinguish among the thoughts that come to it. The good thoughts, sent by God, they can store in the treasure-house of their memory. The evil thoughts, sent by the devil, they can throw out…Clearing and purifying the mind is the task of the Holy Spirit alone –Therefore we ought to keep our souls at peace so that the Holy Spirit is welcome there, so that the lamp of knowledge will always be lit – This is why St Paul says ‘Do not extinguish the Spirit’– that is, do not sadden the Holy Spirit with evil acts and thoughts, or his light may cease to protect you.
This is surely not easy, I thought, with some of the negative thoughts and ruminations I experience that disturb my inner disposition and tempt me to dwell on the painful moments of the past. This often also affects my outward actions and that is why I regularly frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation – so I can obtain once more the healing grace of the Holy Spirit and the consolation that God offers. Many times I have experienced disappointment and desolation in my life – and the powers of darkness have threatened to change its course. It was particularly at those times that I called out to God’s Holy Spirit for protection, and it was truly by God’s providence that he saved me. On my last day in Malta I reflected on an address given by Pope Benedict XVI when he visited Saint Paul’s Grotto during his Apostolic Journey to the island in 2010. I felt his words held particular relevance to my own life journey, and they touched my heart.
Saint Paul’s arrival in Malta was not planned. As we know, he was travelling to Rome when a violent storm arose and his ship ran aground on this island. Sailors can map a journey, but God, in his wisdom and providence, charts a course of his own. Paul, who dramatically encountered the Risen Lord while on the road to Damascus, knew this well. The course of his life was suddenly changed; henceforth, for him, to live was Christ (cf. Phil 1:21); his every thought and action was directed to proclaiming the mystery of the Cross and its message of God’s reconciling love. That same word, the word of the Gospel, still has the power to break into our lives and to change their course.
I have pondered somewhat on the navigation of my own life since I have entered mid life age and I identify with that exhortation of Pope Benedict that regardless of my life hopes, ambitions and plans ‘God, in his wisdom and providence, charts a course of his own‘. I recalled times that I mapped out my own plans for my life with secure employment and enrolling on programmes of study in theology and chaplaincy striving towards my goal of working in youth ministry and chaplaincy. While it hasn’t worked out that way I’ve learned to trust God as my navigator and to depend on God’s wisdom and providence. There are storms in all our lives but I feel that possessing the gift of faith allows humankind to trust and believe that Jesus will calm the wind and the waves and make the rough smooth. “He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm” [Mark 4:39].
On the penultimate day of my trip to Malta, I travelled on the Gozo Highspeed Passenger Ferry for a day excursion to Malta’s sister island. It was during this excursion that I had my own mini-experience of a rough storm on the Mediterranean Sea. The outward crossing on the boat that can reach a top speed of 32 knots was a very bumpy ride due to the windy conditions, and unfortunately I experienced sea sickness. As in life though, the rough comes with the smooth, and experiencing the haven of tranquility of Gozo where you can just rest, relax and recharge made the crossing worthwhile. The island which is more rural in character offered a respite from the more populous Valletta – and made my 2026 taster trip to Malta even richer.
