Heritage Malta is organizing a Heritage Trail on the Pauline Cult in Malta. This heritage trail retraces the early modern origins of the Pauline tradition, its transformation into a fully-fledged cult and its role in the creation of Maltese patriotism and national identity. This is yet another thematic heritage trail which forms part of the national agency’s series of trails. The trial will visit St Paul’s Grotto in Rabat, the Church of St Paul’s Shipwreck in Valletta and the Domus Pauli also in Valletta.

The Pauline tradition has been assiduously fostered in Malta since at least the early modern period. The Knights promoted it for reasons of institutional prestige whilst the Maltese considered it as proof of an ancient Christian European heritage that was even older than that of the Order.

St Paul’s Grotto in Rabat became the focus of a strong devotion during the Order’s rule, particularly after the hermit Juan Benegas installed himself in its precincts. The ever increasing popularity of the site – visited by numerous pilgrims and travellers – induced the Cathedral Chapter of Mdina to declare that St Paul’s grotto was “the foundation stone of the Church in Malta’. Such an important place had to be duly honoured; in fact various Grand Masters, from Aloph de Wignacourt in the seventeenth century to Emmanuel Pinto in the eighteenth, contributed to its embellishment which gradually transformed the cave into a magnificent sanctuary.

Pauline devotion was also very strong in Valletta, where a church dedicated to the Apostle’s shipwreck was completed in the 1680s. Considered a gem of Baroque architecture the church’s main benefactor was the Order. Nonetheless in addition to various Knights and Grand Masters, a number of Maltese noble families also donated large sums of money for its completion, together with the Universita’, the parishiners and the clergy. Particularly betwen the years 1730 – 1770 – at the height of the Pauline debate – the church of St Paul’s Shipwreck became a symbol which represented not only the islands’ religious traditions and beliefs but also the aspirations of its benefactors for political power and glory.

The Trail will take place on Sunday, the 8th of February. Transport departs from in front of the Phoenicia Hotel at 8.45 am. As the number of places for this event is limited one should book a ticket at €15. Only persons aged 12 years and older are allowed. Heritage Malta members pay €12.

Tickets can be obtained from Judy Camilleri at the Heritage Malta Head Office in Merchants Street Valletta. For further information please contact Mr Mario Casha on 23954242.

This Heritage Trail forms part of the series of thematic trails organised by the national agency and which are held periodically throughout the year.

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