Hospitaller Thanksgiving Mass Celebrates Success of the 68th Lourdes Pilgrimage
The Hong Kong Association of the Order of Malta’s third annual Hospitaller Thanksgiving Mass took place on 23 May 2026 at the Sacred Heart Canossian Mission Chapel. The mass marked the safe return of members, volunteers, and pilgrims from the Order of Malta’s 68th International Lourdes Pilgrimage in France. Prayers were also said for everyone who are part of the family of the association’s local charitable works in HK.
Among the familiar faces of the 60 participants attending the Mass, many were families, collaborators, and volunteers from our projects, as well as guests and new friends.
Father Peter Choy, VG celebrated the mass which also coincided with the Pentecost Vigil. Sixteen choristers from the Vox Antiqua Choir joined their beautiful voice’s filling the chapel with classics from the music liturgy.
Among the pilgrims was our brave and dauntless malade, Larry Luk, who joined the Lourdes Pilgrimage in France for the second time. His unwavering faith, courage and positive spirit served as a powerful source of encouragement for many fellow participants.
Following the Mass, a tea and sharing session provided an excellent opportunity for participants to learn more about the projects of the Hong Kong Association of the Order of Malta and the Lourdes Pilgrimage experience. Hospitaller Sophie Mensdorff-Pouilly shared a video highlighting moments from the recent Lourdes Pilgrimage and introduced the upcoming Asia Pacific Camp for young people with physical challenges, which will take place in Hong Kong from 1 to 5 November 2026 and hosted by the Hong Kong Association for the second time.
Sophie also conveyed a powerful testimony shared by Larry during the pilgrimage. His strong faith continues to serve as an inspiring message for all despite the physical and medical challenges he bravely faces with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Fellow pilgrims Jean Sung and Pascale Schrader-Litmaath also joined in sharing their reflections. They spoke movingly about their spiritually uplifting journey and the comradery with fellow volunteers and malades. They also shared the profound, encounter and connection of fraternal love and friendship in serving malade pilgrims from different background and countries that has drawn them to Lourdes.
Members Sophie Martineau, Peter Au Yueng and Marissa Shaw also echoed their sentiments of joy and the love service reinforced each time at Lourdes together with Order’s (8000) members, and many volunteers and malades from all over the world that join each year . “When you see thousands of members and volunteers of the Order of Malta serving and in prayer at Lourdes, they are expressing and remembering in à most moving way the Hospitaller spirit we all carry within us, the Call to serve Our Lord’s sick and those in need regardless of faith or background.”
HKAOM would like to acknowledge the Canossian Sisters Mission, Vox Antiqua as well as Members of the Order in HK for their generosity and support for the mass and hosting the tea.
