The Cult of St Publius in the <i>Componimento Storico</i> of Padre Pelagio Mifsud Gauci Piscopo

This study presents what Padre Pelagio Mifsud Gauci Piscopo (1708–1781) wrote about the origins of the cult of St Publius both in Rome and in Malta, followed by a list of the miracles performed through the Saint’s intercession during the period mentioned by Padre Pelagio in his writings about the sa...

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Main Author: Martin Micallef
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Religions
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/5/545
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author Martin Micallef
author_facet Martin Micallef
author_sort Martin Micallef
collection DOAJ
description This study presents what Padre Pelagio Mifsud Gauci Piscopo (1708–1781) wrote about the origins of the cult of St Publius both in Rome and in Malta, followed by a list of the miracles performed through the Saint’s intercession during the period mentioned by Padre Pelagio in his writings about the saint. In so doing, we will try to show how Padre Pelagio’s writings on St Publius are an affirmation of those characteristics which, according to him, identify Malta as a distinct nation, with its own history, beliefs, traditions and language. In other words, Padre Pelagio’s writings on this Saint are related to ulterior motives, namely, the search for the roots of a national identity that includes, among others, the element of Christianity, bestowed by St Paul the Apostle, and transmitted from one generation to another in spite of the long Arabic domination.
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spelling doaj-art-09a6c1c0f5b74e1b9d8d88db217d5bb72025-08-20T02:33:48ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442025-04-0116554510.3390/rel16050545The Cult of St Publius in the <i>Componimento Storico</i> of Padre Pelagio Mifsud Gauci PiscopoMartin Micallef0Faculty of Theology, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, MaltaThis study presents what Padre Pelagio Mifsud Gauci Piscopo (1708–1781) wrote about the origins of the cult of St Publius both in Rome and in Malta, followed by a list of the miracles performed through the Saint’s intercession during the period mentioned by Padre Pelagio in his writings about the saint. In so doing, we will try to show how Padre Pelagio’s writings on St Publius are an affirmation of those characteristics which, according to him, identify Malta as a distinct nation, with its own history, beliefs, traditions and language. In other words, Padre Pelagio’s writings on this Saint are related to ulterior motives, namely, the search for the roots of a national identity that includes, among others, the element of Christianity, bestowed by St Paul the Apostle, and transmitted from one generation to another in spite of the long Arabic domination.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/5/545St PubliusmiraclescultnationalismMalta
spellingShingle Martin Micallef
The Cult of St Publius in the <i>Componimento Storico</i> of Padre Pelagio Mifsud Gauci Piscopo
Religions
St Publius
miracles
cult
nationalism
Malta
title The Cult of St Publius in the <i>Componimento Storico</i> of Padre Pelagio Mifsud Gauci Piscopo
title_full The Cult of St Publius in the <i>Componimento Storico</i> of Padre Pelagio Mifsud Gauci Piscopo
title_fullStr The Cult of St Publius in the <i>Componimento Storico</i> of Padre Pelagio Mifsud Gauci Piscopo
title_full_unstemmed The Cult of St Publius in the <i>Componimento Storico</i> of Padre Pelagio Mifsud Gauci Piscopo
title_short The Cult of St Publius in the <i>Componimento Storico</i> of Padre Pelagio Mifsud Gauci Piscopo
title_sort cult of st publius in the i componimento storico i of padre pelagio mifsud gauci piscopo
topic St Publius
miracles
cult
nationalism
Malta
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/5/545
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