The Għaqda tal-Pawlini of Valletta, which organises the feast of St Paul's Shipwreck in Malta on 10 February, will this year be commemorating the 50th anniversary of its foundation. The association was the initiative of the famous international tenor, the late Paul Asciak, who was also an enthusiastic "Pawlin" and who is in fact remembered as the founder of the association.

From the year of the association's conception, the prestige and popularity of the public feast of St Paul continued to increase not only among the Maltese but also among the tourists visiting Malta.

The essence of the internal feast is the Pontifical High Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Malta in the Collegiate Church dedicated to the Shipwreck of the Apostle Paul. The mass is yearly attended by large congregations led by the President of Malta.

The highlight of the external festivities is the solemn procession in the main streets of the capital with statue bearers of the Għaqda tal-Pawlini carrying Melchiorre Gafá's masterpiece depicting the Apostle. The Collegiate Chapter of St Paul, which from this year is led by the new Archpriest Can. David John Cilia, forms an integral part of the Għaqda tal-Pawlini with the archpriest and representatives of the Chapter forming part of the Association's central committee elected every two years by its 400 members. By statute the Association also includes the youth and women sections, the Akkademja Kulturali Pawlina (Pauline Cultural Academy) and various commissions working on the various aspects of the external feast.

For its 50th anniversary the Association is organising a programme of activities which is spread throughout the year with the theme, Il-Pawlini għat-tisħiħ tal-parroċċa.

Mario Cassar, president, explained that the theme reflects the Association's commitment to its vision for the years to come with the continued full collaboration within the "Pawlini" parochial life in Valletta which is facing multiple challenges that were not present 50 years ago, mainly the decreasing number of parishioners within an aging population. Cassar expressed his confidence that these challenges will be turned into new opportunities.

Cassar concluded that the Association will continue to offer the Maltese and foreigners alike a great feast worthy of their patron saint.