Miraculous Lourdes

Noel Mifsud KMG celebrates the 160th Anniversary of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s first apparition to St Bernadette Soubirous and the 60th Annual Lourdes pilgrimage of the Order of Malta. Photos by Joseph K. Grogan

As Members of the Order of Malta, we model our life on Christ by holding all people in our heart, especially the poor and sick. Our guiding principle “Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum” reminds us of our deep commitment in defence of the faith and care of the poor and suffering.

From 4 to 8 May 2018, 7500 pilgrims, 1500 malades, 250 priests and 380 nurses and doctors attended the Order of Malta Lourdes Pilgrimage in France. The pilgrimage provided an opportunity for members of the Order from across the globe to gather in solidarity, Eucharistic celebration, prayer, and service to the poor and suffering.

Brother, pilgrim and Grand Master, Frà Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto, reflected on the purpose of the Lourdes Experience:

“We stand together here in Lourdes, which casts its own influence on us. We meditate on the miracle of Saint Bernadette, and the miracles that have been wrought here, so many times over so many years. Since the wondrous apparition of Mary to the little 14-year-old in 1858, those experiences were to have a profound experience on the world, he says.

“We reflect on what a miracle is: it may not be a cure... but it may well be a grace that is given

Opposite page: Marian candlelight procession. Below: Grand Master and Australian President.

to all pilgrims who come here – the miracle of serenity in the love of the Virgin Mary, the miracle of unconditional kindness to others, the miracle of tolerance...the miracle that helps us to understand that we are part of the same great spiritual family – the very special family that is the Order of Malta.”

The Australian Association and sub-groups combined forces with a delegation which included 36 members from Australia, 53 from Hong Kong, nine from Korea, and one from Thailand. Our contingent also included two malades, three doctors and three chaplains. The Order’s Presidents from Korea, Hong Kong and Australia were in the delegation.

The planning team of the pilgrimage comprised Brendan Lawler from Ireland, Desirée Jebsen from Hong Kong, and Daniel Kwok from Australia.

We provided care, transportation and company to 60 Irish malades. Our duties included setting up the ward prior to the arrival of the sick, attending to medical shifts, general ward duties such as kitchen tasks, cleaning and feeding, and transporting malades to Masses, processions, immersion in the Lourdes Bath, shopping, and outings.

At the heart of our work in Lourdes is being present to the sick and poor. Archbishop Becciu reminded members of the Order that everything at Lourdes is centred on what matters – Christ matters, the sick and poor matters, and the world matters.

“When I touch a malade’s frail fingers and see the weary eyes groping for focus, I feel the vulnerability, humility and resilient dignity of age. I distress because I do not have the words. But then she feels in my touch... my soul’s hope to provide solace and her eyes smile gratefully from her soul…,” one Loudes pilgrim wrote.

Our members also volunteered on the Global Fund for the Forgotten Desk, which makes grants for projects that reach out directly to people who would otherwise be forgotten, and raises awareness and support for issues that have fallen under the radar of public concern. The Fund also delivers non-financial,

capacity-building support to its partner charities and grantees.

Throughout the pilgrimage, our members met with international delegations in the spirit of reciprocity to share new responses to emerging calls for help, globally. Hospitallers and doctors from our region met with the CEO and CFO of CIOMAL, an Order of Malta entity based in Switzerland, to discuss their work in serving those afflicted with leprosy in Cambodia. A follow-up of that is a contribution from an Australian Member to CIOMAL’s marketing literature.

During the pilgrimage a small group of Australian Consoeurs and Confreres met to discuss strategies to improve social cohesion and faith among our indigenous communities in the Alice Springs. The strategies discussed are a work in progress.

More importantly, the pilgrimage provided time and opportunity for members who do not normally meet face-to-face,to discuss new and emerging projects.

The Asia Pacific delegation enjoys an established relationship with the Irish delegation. Given the geographical, financial and logistical complexities of sending malades from Australia to Lourdes, we do not have sufficient numbers to establish an Australian ward.

To send a large contingent of Australian

malades would be an audacious venture requiring significant strategic planning and the prayers of our members.

In Jerusalem, in the year 1113, Blessed Gerard observed that what matters to members of the Order is to reduce the misery of the world and make distress easier to bear. The Lourdes pilgrimage provides an opportunity to gather in solidarity with and for the sick.

I believe God called each Lourdes pilgrim by name. He also calls us to live the Lourdes experience in the everyday ordinariness of our lives. In Matthew 25 we hear:

“Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?

The King will reply. ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

I will carry the Lourdes experience in my heart each day as I pray with renewed determination the Prayer of our Order:

“Lord Jesus, thou hast seen fit to enlist me for thy service amongst the Knights and Dames of Saint John of Jerusalem... be it mine to practise charity towards my neighbours, especially the poor and the sick...”

Clockwise from top left: Asia Pacific group; ward volunteers, Eurcharistic Adoration; Daniel Kwok with Malade; Our pilgrims with the leaders of Irish Association; and Loretta Higgins.