The Maltese Embassy in Rome celebrated the Solemnity of the Shipwreck of
Saint Paul in Malta with a Holy Mass together with the Maltese and Gozitan
community living in Rome. This concelebration was led by His Eminence Cardinal
Mario Grech, and a good number of Maltese priests, in the Basilica of San
Lorenzo in Lucina in Rome on 15 February 2024.
The Community was welcomed by the Ambassador of Malta to Italy, H.E.
Carmel Vassallo and Mrs. Mary Anne Vassallo. This Concelebration served so that
together with the Maltese Community, we commemorate this feast, that
commemorates the coming of the Christian faith in Malta. Essentially, in a
spirit of unity and fraternity, on this occasion we renewed together our faith
and the value of solidarity. The solidarity with which the Maltese who welcomed
Paul, remained synonymous with Malta.
His Eminence Cardinal Grech derived the aspect of hope from the story of
Saint Paul, as it was described by Saint Luke in the Acts of the Apostles. The
hope that Paul gave his friends was crucial for them to set sail and overcome
all the obstacles of the journey. In Malta, Saint Paul encouraged his friends
to support themselves and strengthen their hearts. As Paul encouraged the
encouragement of his friends, the aspect of hope and faith won over fear and
uncertainty.
In this regard, His Eminence Cardinal Grech supported the importance of
hope on an individual as well as a collective level. The courage and the
conviction that we can overcome the challenges we are facing are fundamental in
the journey of our lives. Peace and unity cannot flourish without hope, aspiration,
and determination. These values should remain central in our lives. It is
important that as a people we cherish and increase the spirit of hope woven
into the hearts of the Maltese by Paul, so that in a national context as well
as the international one we the Maltese continue to resist so that peace
reigns, especially in these times when conflicts around the world are again
prevailing.
On this occasion, we take the opportunity to indeed continue to remember
and celebrate what unites us and makes us all Maltese citizens.
The Embassy of Malta in Rome would like to thank the administration of
the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina for their assistance in organizing the
event.
After the Mass, the
congregation sang the National Anthem and attended a small reception on
occasion of this event.