Malta’s role in the Jubilee mission: A testament of faith and hope

Few nations can claim an unbroken Christian tradition as rich and enduring as Malta’s. This small Mediterranean archipelago, steeped in ancient history, has been a steadfast witness to faith and hope for two uninterrupted millennia. From its evangelization by St. Paul to its role as a defender of Western Christendom, Malta’s legacy offers an inspiring example of Christianity’s transformative power across centuries.

Malta’s Christian story begins with a storm. In the year 60, the apostle Paul was shipwrecked on its shores while traveling to Rome for trial, a dramatic episode recorded in the Book of Acts (28:1-10). Welcomed by the islanders with “unusual kindness,” Paul performed miracles of healing and shared the Gospel during his three-month stay. Among those touched by Paul’s ministry was Publius, the island’s chief official, who later became Malta’s first bishop.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his 2010 visit to Malta, called Paul’s arrival the greatest gift brought to the islands–and indeed, this gift was wholeheartedly embraced. Though Acts does not explicitly document conversions, it is hard to imagine the dynamic Paul spending months among the Maltese without preaching the Gospel. Evidence confirms that Christianity took root early, with Christian catacombs and Byzantine-era churches pointing to an active Christian community by the 4th century.

Malta’s claim as one of the earliest cradles of Christianity is undeniable. Its Christian traditions are as ancient as those of Jerusalem, Corinth, and Rome, despite the islands’ small size and relative isolation.

Throughout its history, Malta has played a pivotal role as a defender of Christendom. This was most striking during the Great Siege of 1565, when the Ottoman Empire sought to capture the island as a stepping stone to Europe. The Knights of St. John, alongside the Maltese people, withstood months of relentless assault, their miraculous triumph preserving Western Christianity, setting a decisive precedent to Lepanto’s battle. Malta’s resistance during the siege earned it a reputation as an unshakable stronghold of hope and Marian devotion, the victory being attributed to the crucial intervention of Our Lady of Victory.

But even before the Great Siege, Malta had weathered centuries of upheaval. From 869 to 1091, the island was under Muslim rule. Some historians once argued this period disrupted Malta’s Christian continuity, but archaeological and agricultural evidence suggests otherwise. Excavations have revealed Christian artifacts from the era, including Byzantine-style churches and catacombs, indicating that a resilient Christian population survived–and even thrived against all hopes. By the 12th century, when Norman forces reclaimed the island, Christianity re-emerged openly, flourishing anew.

Malta’s Marian devotion is one of its most striking features, with the Virgin Mary occupying a special place in the hearts of the Maltese. The Madonna Ta’ Pinu National Shrine in Gozo, dating back at least to the early 15th century, is a significant site of pilgrimage, attracting thousands each year. This sanctuary, built around a miraculous 19th-century event, is a majestic example of Malta’s deep trust in Mary’s intercession.

But Marian devotion in Malta predates Ta’ Pinu by far. Throughout the centuries, the islands have been adorned with chapels and churches dedicated to the Virgin–an eloquent testimony to her central role in Maltese spirituality. Malta’s liturgical calendar is filled with Marian feasts, many of which bring entire communities together in prayer and celebration.

Indeed, Malta is well-known for its unique Marian Pilgrimages. One of them is the Camino Mariæ Melitensis. The 60-kilometer (37-mile) route from Castrum Maris to Mellieha, created by XirCammini in collaboration with VisitMalta, has woven together some of the most significative landmarks of Malta’s rich Marian devotion. Information to assist the pilgrim and get the camino credencial are available on the dedicated website or on XirCammini’s generic website. 

Malta’s sacred heritage is inscribed in its very landscape. The Christian catacombs of Malta, dating back to the early centuries of the faith, are certainly the most significant outside of Rome. These burial sites, featuring agape tables and a plethora of Christian symbols, bear witness to a community that lived and died in the hope of the Resurrection.

Other significant sites include the ancient churches and hypogea of Tad-Dejr, the remains of a Byzantine basilica at Tas-Silġ, and the San Pawl Milqi complex, where tradition holds that Publius welcomed St. Paul. Each site offers a glimpse into the vibrant faith of Malta’s early Christians and their determination to preserve their beliefs through adversity.

As the global Church celebrates the Jubilee Year, Malta’s example shines brightly. Its story is one of perseverance—a testimony to the enduring power of hope against all odds. The archipelago’s unbroken Christian tradition offers hope for the modern Church, reminding us that hope is capable of withstanding time, conflict, and change.

Malta’s role in the Jubilee Mission is thus multifaceted. It serves as a reminder of the Church’s missionary roots, with St. Paul’s evangelization still bearing fruit today. It also highlights the importance of hope, as the Maltese people have preserved their faith through centuries of trials, from foreign invasions to cultural upheaval. Finally, Malta’s Marian devotion underscores the enduring relevance of the Virgin Mary as a source of comfort and guidance for all Christians. As pilgrims journey to holy sites like Ta’ Pinu, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mellieha, Il-Madonna Tal-Mirakli in Lija, Our Lady of the Grotto in Rabat, or the Immaculate Conception of Sarria in Floriana, they are reminded of Mary’s role in leading believers closer to her Son.

Malta’s contributions to global Christianity far exceed its size. Its history reminds us that even the smallest communities, when rooted in faith and hope, can make an outsized impact on the world. As Pope Francis calls the Church to embrace mission, Malta stands as a beacon of hope—a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel.

In celebrating the Jubilee Year, the Church can look to Malta for inspiration, learning from its long tradition of faith, its courage in defending the truth, and its unwavering hope in Christ. Malta’s story is a call to all believers to carry their faith into the world with confidence, trusting in the God who has sustained His people for generations. Answer the call to pilgrimage and discover how hope lives on in the Maltese archipelago today.

This content has been brought to you in partnership with VisitMalta.