For almost 40 years, the American Association of the Order of Malta has sent pilgrims to the humble cave in Lourdes, France where the Blessed Virgin Mary first appeared to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. This year, nearly 40 pilgrims from Michigan made the annual pilgrimage to the holy site, a record-breaking turnout by the Michigan delegation.
The Michigan Area was especially blessed by the presence of four wonderful Michigan Malades and their loving caregivers, and three Michigan Chaplains, including his Excellency, Allen Vigneron GCChC, Archbishop Emeritus of Detroit.
It was a very moving and beautiful week of prayer, reflection, and fellowship, including meeting members of the Order from around the world. Spiritual preparations for the trip began 54 days before departure, when the Michigan Area’s own Robert (KM) and Barbara (DM) Wilson introduced the pilgrims to the 54-day Rosary Novena that their family has been praying for many years.
When one prays the 54-day Rosary Novena, every third day the Glorious Mysteries are prayed, ending with the Crowning of Our Blessed Mother as the Queen of Heaven and asking for the virtue of union with Mary. Thus, in this Jubilee Year of Hope, it was very fitting that the American Association went on the Lourdes Pilgrimage contemplating the theme of “Hope through the Virtue of Union with Mary.”
The highlight for all the Dames and Knights on the pilgrimage, their raison d’etre, was being able to host the beautiful Malades and their caregivers on the pilgrimage. Michigan Area Associate Lisa Juriga, wife of John Juriga, KM, observed that “John and I were truly blessed to be a part of the Order of Malta Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Having been on pilgrimages before, we thought we knew what to expect – but we were pretty far off! While there was ample opportunity for personal prayer, we soon learned that the beauty and inspiration of the week was to be found in serving our Malade and his wife.”
Lisa continued. “[W]e found that this lovely couple had profound emotional and spiritual needs. The Holy Spirit surely guided the process that resulted in John and me being paired with them. It soon became clear that my recent experience with cancer and the spiritual lessons it taught us put us in an ideal position to share wisdom and encouragement. It was a week where blessed moments abounded, and hearts and spirits were lifted. We have remained in contact since returning from Lourdes and plan to continue supporting our new friends for a long time!”
Special thanks to the Michigan Malades (Charles, Ava, Erica, and Linda) and their caregivers (Kiki, Colin, Karen, Kaitlin, Bill, and Shirley), and the other Malades and caregivers from all over the country who allowed the Order to serve them during the pilgrimage. Each day when Dames and Knights pray the Order’s Daily Prayer, they ask Jesus to give them the strength to serve the poor and sick and defend the faith while being forgetful of themselves.
Arguably, never are Dames and Knights more forgetful of themselves than when they are waiting hand and foot on the Malades and caregivers during the Lourdes pilgrimage. St. Bernadette aptly captured this forgetfulness of self: “Oh my Mother, to you I sacrifice all other attachments, so that my heart may belong entirely to you and to my Jesus.”
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