A Grateful and Special Year for the Order of Malta’s 67th Lourdes Pilgrimage
This year marks a significant milestone for the Order of Malta’s 67th international pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Celebrated as a Jubilee year, this pilgrimage brought together associations from over 50 countries to support malades (people with sickness and disabilities) and volunteers in a spirit of faith, devotion, and service. The Hong Kong Association of the Order of Malta (HKAOM) joined this sacred journey, arriving in Lourdes on April 29.
Since 1858, when the young Bernadette Soubirous witnessed eighteen apparitions of the Virgin Mary, Lourdes has been a beacon for Catholic pilgrims. Up to six million visitors are drawn annually to its healing waters, seventy rigorously verified medical miracles, and breathtaking natural beauty. This Marian sanctuary welcomes people of all faiths, who come with intentions of hope, reconciliation, gratitude for blessings, or a search for deeper meaning in life.
The Hong Kong team, consisting of 20 participants—seven members, six volunteers, four malades, and three caretakers. They joined forces with the Australian, Singaporean, Korean, and Thai associations, forming a group of 70 united in prayer and service. A heartwarming highlight this year was the increased participation accompanying their parents for the first time . A family that prays and serves together is a beautiful sight, and we hope this trend continues. One volunteer expressed gratitude for “a week of precious memories with old and new friends alike.”
The pilgrimage featured formal celebrations, including the Eucharistic Procession with the sick to the Sanctuary, the Pontifical High Mass in the St. Pius X Basilica, Mass at the Grotto, and the Marian torchlight procession. The itinerary included visits to the sacred baths, the Stations of the Cross, the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Bartrès and a walking tour of Lourdes. These activities were enriched by the fellowship shared among pilgrims and the malades they accompanied.
The pilgrimage was a profound experience, with all participants working tirelessly yet joyfully for the malades and fellow pilgrims. One member described the seven days as “a little taste of heaven on earth.”
After the Lourdes Pilgrimage, we organized a heartfelt Thanksgiving Mass, bringing together malades, volunteers, and members to celebrate the pilgrimage’s success. Father Gregoire, who participated in this year’s pilgrimage, graciously led the Mass. Following the service, we held a sharing session where participants reflected on the profound, life-changing experiences they encountered during the journey.
We warmly invite you to join us for next year’s pilgrimage.
