Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
La Valletta (Agenzia Fides) - “The occasion of my visit to these islands is the nineteen hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Saint Paul’s shipwreck off the island of Malta,” said the Holy Father Benedict XVI in the Welcome Ceremony at the International Airport of Malta, in Luqa, on the afternoon of Saturday, April 17. “Malta, in fact, has been at the crossroads of many of the great events and cultural exchanges in European and Mediterranean history, right up to our own times.” the Pope said. “These islands have played a key role in the political, religious and cultural development of Europe, the Near East, and North Africa. To these shores, then, in the mysterious designs of God, the Gospel was brought by Saint Paul and the early followers of Christ. Their missionary work has borne much fruit over the centuries, contributing in innumerable ways to shaping Malta’s rich and noble culture.” In the past, Malta has contributed to “the defence of Christianity by land and by sea” and continues to play “a valuable role in the ongoing debates on European identity, culture and policy.” The Pope expressed his satisfaction for the Government's commitment to humanitarian projects further afield, especially in Africa, and highlighted that Malta “has much to contribute to questions as diverse as tolerance, reciprocity, immigration,” and other issues crucial to the future of the continent: continuing to stand up for the indissolubility of marriage, the true nature of the family, and proper respect owed to religious freedom. Thanks to its “close links to the near East,” it will be able to “serve as a bridge of understanding between the peoples, cultures and religions which surround the Mediterranean.”
At 7:45pm, the Holy Father traveled to the Church of Saint Paul in Rabat, to meet with nearly 250 missionaries. After a brief moment of prayer and the visit to the Grotto of Saint Paul, where according to tradition the Apostle spent three months preaching after his shipwreck on the island, Benedict XVI mentioned in his speech that “Paul’s apostolic labors also bore a rich harvest in the generations of preachers who followed in his footsteps, and particularly in the great number of priests and religious who imitated his missionary zeal by leaving Malta in order to bring the Gospel to distant shores.” Encouraging the missionaries “challenging and often heroic vocation,” Benedict XVI continued: “Dear missionaries: I thank all of you, in the name of the whole Church, for your witness to the Risen Lord and for your lives spent in the service of others. Your presence and activity in so many countries of the world brings honor to your country and testifies to an evangelical impulse deeply embedded in the Church in Malta. Let us ask the Lord to raise up many more men and women to carry forward the noble mission of proclaiming the Gospel and working for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom in every land and people!”
In the Mass celebrated on the morning of Sunday, April 18 in the Floriana Granaries, the Pope recalled how many travelers have arrived in Malta over the course of history, contributing to the richness and variety of the Maltese culture, and yet “not everything that today’s world proposes is worthy of acceptance by the people of Malta. Many voices try to persuade us to put aside our faith in God and his Church, and to choose for ourselves the values and beliefs by which to live. They tell us we have no need of God or the Church.” Recalling the Gospel of the day, the miraculous catch of fish, the Pope highlighted that “if we place our trust in the Lord and follow his teachings, we will always reap immense rewards.” He then offered this exhortation: “Continue to explore the richness and depth of Paul’s gift to you and be sure to hand it on not only to your children, but to all those you encounter today...Remember that the exchange of goods between these islands and the world outside is a two-way process. What you receive, evaluate with care, and what you have that is of value, be sure to share with others.”
His final event was with the young people, at the Great Port of Valletta, in which the Pope recalled the experience of Saint Paul as a youth, enemy of the Church and committed to trying to destroy her, until the Lord appeared to him in Damascus and from that moment on, “and his whole life was transformed. He became a disciple, and went on to be a great apostle and missionary.” Addressing all those “ who wish to follow Christ, as married couples, as parents, as priests, as religious, as lay faithful bringing the message of the Gospel to the world,” Benedict XVI encouraged them, saying: “do not be afraid!” even faced with opposition to the Gospel message. In his address, the Pope mentioned that “a Christian is called to bring the healing message of the Gospel to everyone” and “As Christians we are called to manifest God’s all-inclusive love. So we should seek out the poor, the vulnerable, the marginalized; we should have a special care for those who are in distress, those suffering from depression or anxiety; we should care for the disabled, and do all we can to promote their dignity and quality of life; we should be attentive to the needs of immigrants and asylum seekers in our midst; we should extend the hand of friendship to members of all faiths and none. That is the noble vocation of love and service that we have all received.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 12/04/2010)
