Lourdes Pilgrimage
On the first weekend of May each year, members of the Order of Malta from all over the world make a pilgrimage to the Marian shrine at Lourdes, France. It was at the grotto at Lourdes that the Blessed Mother appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858. Since then, millions have visited this extraordinary village in the Pyrenees.
While in Lourdes, the group stays at the Hotel St. Sauveur and at the Hotel D'Angleterre. The hotels are in the center of Lourdes, just a few steps from the entrance to the Domaine. After a day of rest, the group begins the pilgrimage in earnest - each day is filled with visits to the Grotto and the Baths, Masses, the procession of the Sick, the Eucharistic procession and the unforgettable candlelight procession. In addition to these large, magnificent events, there are times reserved for personal visits to the Domaine, shopping on the streets of Lourdes or sitting with a friend in one of the sidewalk cafés.
Each year the group is split into 6 teams and the Team Leaders are charged with making sure that their team members are happy, healthy, on time, dry, warm, fed, etc. Assembling such a large group in front of the hotels, keeping it intact and leading the column through the crowded streets to the Domaine is a challenging task.
Each day starts early and a few end late. The group participates in processions involving over 30,000 people and attends the Pontifical Mass in the Underground Basilica with 20,000 other pilgrims from all over the world. Coupled with these huge events are smaller, quieter times when a person can talk with a friend over coffee or visit the Grotto alone at night. Each year, there is a bus tour of the French countryside and a farewell banquet on the last night.
The pilgrimage is open to Knights, Dames, candidates, spouses and other family members. Malades and their companions must submit a formal application / medical questionnaire (available in October). A member of the Association's Medical Committee interviews all prospective malades. Financial assistance is provided to individuals who are unable to pay for the pilgrimage.