Some seven thousand people, from 46 different nations, participated in the annual Order of Malta International pilgrimage to Lourdes this year. Amongst them there were 1,200 malades, including 750 young people aged 8 to 35, as well as 230 priests, 12 deacons, 231 doctors and 152 nurses.

Grand Master Fra’ John Dunlap led the pilgrimage for the second time since his election and was joined by members of the Sovereign Council, Monsignor Luis Manuel Cuña Ramos, new Prelate of the Order of Malta, and 23 bishops. The Pontifical Mass on Sunday was celebrated by Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda, Cardinal Patron of the Order of Malta; Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi, former papal delegate.

The Australian contingent comprised of 36 members, malades and friends. They were joined by 36 pilgrims from Hong Kong, Korea and Singapore and had the privilege of caring for 5 malades under the guidance of 3 wonderful priests. They also carried with them 58 Prayer Intentions submitted by members and friends of the Australian Association, which were put into a sealed envelope and placed on the altar at Masses and prayed for during the Prayer of the Faithful and during Rosaries.

In addition to the key events; the Marian Procession, the Eucharistic Procession and the Pontifical Mass, the Australian Asssociation’s pilgrims attended Masses and Rosaries at the Grotto and the Church of Saint John the Baptist in  Bartres. The itinerary also included a visit to the Chapelle des Lumières for prayers and to bless the pilgrimage candles, a visit to the sacred baths, a tour of Cite Saint-Pierre and the Stations of the Cross. They also ’followed in the footsteps of Bernadette’ by taking a path that passes the key places where she lived, from her birth in 1844 to her departure for Nevers in 1866, which form the setting for the apparitions of 1858.

Enjoy our gallery of images from the 2024 Order of Malta International Pilgrimage to Lourdes:

The Annual Order of Malta Pilgrimage to Lourdes occurs in the first weekend of May each year.

Learn more.