National pilgrimage in preparation for Papal visit

A national pilgrimage is being held on Friday in preparation for the Papal visit, under the auspices of the Malta and Gozo dioceses.

The pilgrimage will commence at the Mount St Joseph Retreat House, Targa Gap at 6.15 p.m. and end with a short ceremony in the square opposite the Sanctuary known as San Pawl tal-Ħġejjeġ in St. Paul’s Bay.

During the ceremony, a bonfire will be lit; the passage from the Acts of the Apostles which speaks of St. Paul’s Shipwreck will be read; a renewal of baptismal vows will take place as a proclamation of the faith which was handed down by the Apostle Paul.

Archbishop Paul Cremona and Bishop Mario Grech will address the congregation. It is estimated that the journey from Targa Gap to St Paul’s Bay will be of one-hour duration and the whole activity will finish at around 8.30 p.m.

This pilgrimage will serve as a means of giving witness to the faith, embraced 1950 years ago with St Paul’s visit to Malta.