Jesus in Malta: A Personal Touch

Imagine, for a moment, you’re strolling along Republic Street in Valletta, the sun casting a warm glow on the Baroque facades. Now, picture this: every person you pass, from the vendor hawking fresh figs to the tourist snapping selfies at the Grandmaster’s Palace, is known by name by someone. Not just known, but personally known, by the man who’s been walking these very streets for centuries.

Jesus in Malta: A Local Tradition

In Malta, this isn’t just a hypothetical scenario. It’s a deeply rooted belief that Jesus Christ, after his crucifixion, visited our islands. This tradition, known as the ‘Visit of the Apostles to Malta’, is a significant part of our local lore and faith. It’s a story that’s been passed down through generations, immortalized in art, and celebrated annually on the Feast of St. Paul’s Shipwreck.

The Gospel of Malta

You won’t find this story in the canonical Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. Instead, it’s told in the apocryphal Acts of the Apostles, a collection of texts not included in the Bible. According to this account, after Jesus’ ascension, the Apostles set sail to preach the Gospel. A storm struck, and they were shipwrecked off the coast of Malta. The locals, led by the future St. Paul and St. Publius, took them in, nursed them back to health, and heard their message.

But here’s where our local twist comes in. According to Maltese tradition, Jesus himself was among the shipwrecked. He spent time here, healing the sick, performing miracles, and getting to know the locals. So well, in fact, that he knew each of them by name.

From the Gospel to the Streets of Malta

This tradition has left its mark on our islands. In Rabat, you can visit the Grotto of St. Paul and St. Peter, where Jesus is said to have stayed. The crypt of the Basilica of St. Paul’s Shipwreck in Rabat is believed to be the site of the first Christian church in Malta, founded by St. Paul himself. And every year, on February 10th, the Feast of St. Paul’s Shipwreck is celebrated with a grand procession through the streets of Rabat, reenacting the arrival of the Apostles and Jesus.

But perhaps the most poignant reminder of this tradition is the way it’s woven into our everyday faith. In Malta, we don’t just believe that Jesus knows us; we believe he knew us, personally, by name. It’s a comforting thought, isn’t it? That the man who walked these streets, who healed the sick and broke bread with the locals, knew each of us, by name.