Every year we gather here to commemorate a powerful moment in the history of the Maltese Islands - a moment in one of the darkest periods of our recent past.

At the height of the Second World War on 15 August 1942, the convoy codenamed Operation Pedestal, popularly known as the Santa Marija Convoy, arrived in the Grand Harbour.

On the feast of the Assumption, the crews of the battered convoy were greeted by cheering crowds who filled Valletta’s bastions.

The people of Malta had reached a point of near starvation, and the islands seemed to be on the verge of surrender. Due to enemy attacks only 32,000 tons, out of some 85,000 tons of supplies, arrived.

Yet it was thanks to the presence of these ships and their precious cargo that the Maltese were able to carry on.

Making the best use of the little that they had the people of Malta and Gozo kept their strength, until the end of the war.

It was thanks to the resilience of the people of these islands that we were able to endure great hardship.

We were able to discover within ourselves the strength to support one another in the midst of great uncertainty.

In this way, our parents and grandparents experienced and overcame the horrors of war.

Most importantly, it is through these experiences of violence that we learned the fundamental importance of peace. It is, today, our responsibility to remember this wisdom, formed out of their direct experiences of war.

It is our duty to keep on remembering the sacrifices of our ancestors, so as to put all our endeavours towards breaking unfortunate cycles of violence. In this way, we shall discover the true meaning of this important legacy.

We must honour our ancestor’s legacy in our society; we must share it; and we must do our utmost to transform our lives through its profound message of hope and of peace.

Peace can only be achieved when we are able to respect and give dignity to each and every person. We can only feel secure when we are no longer suspicious and fearful of one another.

Commemorations such as today’s give us the opportunity to celebrate the efforts and hardships of our ancestors. We must live up to these efforts and hardships by sustaining people-centered, lawful and peaceful democracies.

In this context, we should ask ourselves:

What contribution are we giving to building such a society?

How can we keep nurturing a positive culture that fosters and sustains peace?

Is our society focusing on the common good, the wellbeing of all its members, rather than the prosperity of the few?

What practical choices are we making in our own lives that contribute towards a non-violent and harmonious society?

If we truly love and respect our ancestors, then we must safeguard the peace for which they fought and for which many paid the ultimate price.

In the words of Pope Francis (and here I quote), “War is irrational; its only plan is to bring destruction; it seeks to grow by destroying.”

In today’s world, we have seen this malignant growth across the globe. The atrocities of war unfold before our own eyes, reported by the media and by the very people who are fleeing for safety. We are confronted by scenes from Gaza, from Iraq, from Syria, from Libya, and acts of violent terror within Europe itself, and beyond.

These events touch our humanity, and call us to action.

The commemorations of past wars and tribulations must strengthen us to act for change. We cannot stand and watch as children are taken away from their families, brutalised, and killed. We cannot be silent when women are violated in the name of war. We cannot pretend that the wellbeing of others means nothing to us. It deeply damages our own security and peace of mind.

Therefore, I believe our country has an important role to play as a beacon of peace and unity among the peoples of the Mediterranean and beyond. Let us recognise that our experiences have given us the tools to make a real change in the world; that we have so much to share with one another.

Malta’s history, and the livelihood and wellbeing of its people, has always been central to the stability of our Mediterranean region. Malta has been a place of safety and a sanctuary, for its people, its neighbours, and visitors since time immemorial.

Just as the ancient name of our island, Maleth, means a safe haven, today we also inaugurate a place of refuge for seafarers.

Representing the completion of a project which began last year, this Centre for Seafarers recognises the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual realities of the human person.

Thanks to the assistance of the Government of Malta, through the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation within the Ministry for Infrastructure and Transport, the chaplain’s quarters adjacent to the Our Lady of Liesse Church has been restored and rehabilitated.

The building is now a modern centre where seafarers can meet, access free temporary accommodation in times of need, find assistance and guidance, and communicate with their relatives abroad.

This is a practical example of what Malta offers, whether through projects such as these or on a larger international scale.

We should be committed to being a voice for peace in our region; to sharing a message of hope; to reaching out to those in need; and to foster dialogue between peoples from all cultures, faith traditions, and walks of life.

Let these commemorations not be one-off events, which are too easily forgotten.

We must learn from the past. We must allow its lessons to transform our lives.

We must commit ourselves to change, to achieve a society of well-being and make Malta a true beacon of hope, unity and peace in the Mediterranean.