Mr Michael Kamsky, General Manager of The Westin Dragonara Resort Malta was presented with the new publication of the book Pauline Malta – The Formation of a Nation’s Identity, by Dr Joseph Ferriggi, the Chairperson of Fondazzjoni Patri Martin Caruana OP. This book was launched by the Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi at Castille on the 15 April 2010. A copy of this book was presented to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Malta at the Grotto of St Paul in Rabat.

The book is a study by two authorities in the Pauline cult namely Mons. John Azzopardi and Prof. Thomas Freller. It documents and analyses how, over the past two millennia, various phenomena – of both Pagan and Christian origin – in Malta were blended into a unique Pauline Cult, while at the same time developing into a shaping force of genuine Maltese identity. On a more global level, all the different facts, traditions, pretensions, and claims centred around the shipwreck and miracles of St Paul on the island of Melita became part of a Mediterranean Christian identity.

This publication marks this year’s 1950 anniversary of the shipwreck of St Paul and the visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Malta in April.