Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta ®
2009 Lourdes Pilgrimage: April 29 - May 5
“A personal journey,” the theme of our pilgrimage, gave us a bright and hopeful message as we set out for Lourdes. We all had our own expectations as we reflected on our lives, our hopes and fears, and what this pilgrimage might give us. But what happened in Lourdes this year was remarkable, if not miraculous!
It is often said that we are all malades, and we come to Lourdes praying for a cure of the heart, if not a physical cure. As the week unfolded, each of our malades had a story that was precious and very personal, yet happily shared: glowing in the grace of the Eucharist; making a new friend who would help upon returning home; leaving behind a sense of discouragement; and, yes, for some feeling much better. These are the miracles of Lourdes. The miracles became more apparent each day, and it was clear that everybody was smiling and just glowing, not only our guests but our own Knights and Dames.
Coming home on May 5th, we were a newly-formed family, and the glue holding us together were our beloved malades and caregivers. The 2009 pilgrimage was a personal journey of love. How joyful it was after celebrating in the previous year the 150th anniversary of the apparitions. There is no question that the Holy Spirit was present to us in the new Lourdes community of 2009. As we pray that this grace will not leave us, Bernadette is smiling with us!
Joe Metz,KMOb, Hospitaller
To view photos from this year’s Lourdes Pilgrimage, please click here. Many thanks to photographer, Michelle Babyak.
To learn more about the Order of Malta’s Annual Pilgrimage to Lourdes, please click here.
This is the official site of the American Association, U.S.A.
The Order of Malta is a worldwide, lay, religious order of the Roman Catholic Church, which seeks to glorify God by promoting the sanctification of each member through his or her work with the sick and the poor and witness of the Catholic faith.
There are only three United States Associations established by decree of the Grand Master and vote of the Sovereign Council of the Order headquartered in Rome.
The American Association, U.S.A., New York, New York, Founded in 1927
The Western Association, U.S.A., San Francisco, California, Founded in 1953
The Federal Association, U.S.A., Washington, DC, Founded in 1974
Founded as the Southern Association, became the Federal Association in 1985.
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