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Order of Malta Australia

News

Lourdes 2018: The Order of Malta’s 60th International Annual Pilgrimage

07/05/2018 


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. Lourdes dedicates the first weekend in May each year for the Annual Pilgrimage of the International Order of Malta.

2018 marked the 160th anniversary of Our Lady’s first appearance to St Bernadette; as well as the 60th pilgrimage of the Order of Malta to Lourdes.

On the 5 – 6 May 2018, the Order of Malta’s 60th International Annual Pilgrimage to Lourdes included over 7,000 members and volunteers from all over the world and 1,600 sick and disabled pilgrims. Of this number, 99 pilgrims participated under the Australian “banner”.

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.

Australian pilgrim, Joseph Grogan, captured the following images from the 60th pilgrimage of the Order of Malta to Lourdes.

For Australians unable to visit Lourdes, Lourdes Day Mass celebrations are held annually in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide where those attending receive a blessing for good health and a bottle of Lourdes water, brought from the shrine, for their personal use.

If you would like to be informed about upcoming Lourdes Day Mass celebrations, please send your postal address to info@smom.org.au

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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.