This website uses technical and assimilated cookies as well as user-profiling third party cookies in a grouped format to simplify online navigation and to protect the use of services. To find out more or to refuse consent to the use of one or any of the cookies, click here. Closing this banner, browsing this page or clicking on anything will be taken as consent to the use of cookies.

Close

Order of Malta Australia

Events

Annual Pilgrimage to Lourdes

26/06/2018 


Each year, Lourdes dedicates the first weekend in May for the Annual Pilgrimage of the International Order of Malta. Over 7,000 members and volunteers from all over the world take part, including 1,600 sick and disabled pilgrims.

The dates for Lourdes Pilgrimage in 2025 are Monday 28 April to Tuesday 6 May.

The pilgrimage to Lourdes represents one of the most significant moments in the spiritual life of the Order’s members and volunteers, and going to Lourdes at least once is a traditional obligation for members of the Order of Malta. Every pilgrim has found Lourdes to be spiritually uplifting and a highlight in their devotion to Our Lady.

Central to the Pilgrimage is receiving various Sacraments; praying at the Grotto and the many sacred places; and importantly, being hands-on companions to the Malades (the sick and disabled).

The distance from Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand and Australia makes its very difficult for these countries to transport Malades to Lourdes. Therefore, for many years, the Australian Association have joined forces with The Irish Association to help them with their Malades. This also enables The Irish Association to bring more pilgrims to Lourdes.

Member of the Order of Adelaide and first time Lourdes Pilgrimage attendee, Noel Mifsud, was asked to write an account of his experience to share with those unable to attend. Noel’s account is not only beautifully written and engaging, it is inspiring and uplifting.

Below is an extract from Noel’s report:

“Walking the Esplanade each evening I listened to the cacophony of voices with languages from across the globe. This Pentecost moment is testimony that love needs no language. God’s love transcends borders.

There were no strangers at Lourdes – just different stories. One pilgrim reflected that Lourdes is ‘addictive’. Lives are irrevocably changed. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, God’s presence, a deep sacramental moment, is made manifest. As one of our priests shared in his sermon: “They will know we are Christians by our love!”

Download the full Lourdes Account by Noel Mifsud 

Download Lourdes 2019 – Stories from the Pilgrimage

 

Gallery

The Australian Association

The Australian Association, formed in 1974, currently has in excess of 300 members and aspirant members across every State and Territory of Australia. We also have ongoing and strong links with the Order’s National Associations throughout the Asia Pacific Region including in Singapore and the Philippines and with members of the Order in New Zealand, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand and Korea. The Order of Malta is committed to serving Our Lords the Poor and Sick worldwide and has done so for over 900 years. This website shares with you the history, mission and current activities of the Order of Malta in Australia, and provides links to the work of the Order world-wide.