Orientation for the 2024 Lourdes Pilgrimage

Last month, members of the regions of Montgomery County, Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, and Washington DC came together for an orientation for malades, companions, and pilgrims for the 2024 Lourdes pilgrimage. We had 45 people in attendance, including dames and knights who came to serve our malades and companions. This was a beautiful way for our malades and companions and pilgrims to get to know one another, ask questions, and relieve some anxiety about what to expect.

Msgr. James Watkins, pastor of St. Ann Catholic Church in DC, who is also a magistral chaplain of the Order and chaplain for the Subpriory of Lourdes, opened the orientation with a prayer and a reflection about the spiritual aspect of the pilgrimage. This was followed by a brief introduction to the Order of Malta by Margaret Melady, GCM. After this, all participants introduced themselves as a malade, companion or a pilgrim as we now become a new pilgrimage and prayer family. Terry White, KMOb, as the Lourdes hospitaller, gave a brief reflection from his point of view of the pilgrimage as the hospitaller, followed by a slide show presented by Dorothy Zolandz, DM, discussing the apparitions as well as practical tips of what to pack and expect on the pilgrimage. Dr. Dan Young, KMOb, gave reminders and tips from the medical perspective to ensure that pilgrims bring all their medicines and communicate to team leaders any additional needs they have when calls are made in the following week. Hugh Dempsey, KMOb, led us in the daily Prayer of the Order, which was followed by a prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes, making petitions to Our Lady and offering Lourdes water for all participants to drink.

Coming together as malades, companions, and pilgrims from the four local regions was a beautiful way to start the final weeks of preparation for the Lourdes pilgrimage. As Terry White noted, “it feels like we are on the runway now.” The malades and companions appreciated the detailed information both about the Order and the pilgrimage to prepare for our journey. It was also a wonderful way for our malades, companions, and pilgrims to meet one another before gathering again at the airport in Baltimore for the pilgrimage flight. Several of the malades have commented on how helpful this was in letting them know what to expect on the pilgrimage and making them feel supported and loved even before going. 

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us

Saint Bernadette, pray for us

Photo from Cheryl Hipp, DM