February 10 Feast of St. Paul’s Shipwreck

Time again for a break from the people and honor a shipwreck. This feast is a holy day of obligation and a national holiday in Malta. Then again it is a small island with little claim to fame, so it takes what it can get.

St. Paul’s ship wrecked on the shores of Malta on his return journey to Jerusalem in 60 AD. The event is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. While he was hanging out there, he converted the local Roman governor and most of the population, making Malta the first Christian nation. They honor the day by taking the statue of St. Paul out for a stroll around town and end the day with fireworks before returning St. Paul to his little (gold plated) niche.