It traditionally forms part of the feast of St Paul celebrations.
In some sad news for festa fans, the Chapter of the Collegiate Church of St Paul Shipwrecked of Valletta and the Ghaqda tal-Pawlini have announced that a pilgrimage with the statue of St Paul which was planned for Sunday 5th September 2021 will not be taking place, due to current directives as established by the Health Authorities.
The St Paul’s Shipwreck pilgrimage, which traditionally forms part of the feast of St Paul celebrations, had been postponed from February 2021 to September 2021 in order to follow health directives in place at the time vis-à-vis the COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, the situation remains such that the organisers have deemed it responsible to cancel.
Counted among the major public holidays and religious feasts in Malta, the feast of St Paul’s Shipwreck celebrates St Paul, who is said to have been shipwrecked on Malta in 60AD. It is normally celebrated every year on 10th February.
Valletta’s celebrations at the Parish Church of St Paul’s Shipwreck are among the highlights of the holiday, consisting of masses and band marches across Valletta. On the day of the event, the statue is traditionally taken out in a procession which winds around Valletta.
Let’s hope that we’ll be able to enjoy it once more next year!