Whilst many of our members are aware that we have an American Association Lourdes Pilgrimage Committee, many may not be aware there is an Order-wide planning committee as well. Appointed every five years by the Sovereign Council, the ‘International Pilgrimage Coordination Committee’ works to promote collaboration across Associations and manage the finances, logistics, security, and spirituality of the pilgrimage as well as to liaise with the Sanctuary staff, French government officials, and the Grand Magistry.
The current head of the committee, known as the General Coordinator, is Carlo Vittalini Sacconi, a young member in Obedience from the Grand Priory of Rome. He is supported by two staff members in the Grand Magistry – Serena Zapponi and Attilio Tortora who are amongst the hardest working and dedicated members of the Grand Magistry team. Carlo is also assisted by a small team of 12 members that represent all the Associations that participate in the pilgrimage. The United States is well represented at the table: John (Mitch) Mitchell represents the three US Associations, Fr. Richard Mullins serves as the deputy head chaplain, and I serve as Treasurer. Under Carlo’s leadership, the committee carefully reviews all aspects of the pilgrimage to ensure it remains dynamic, financially sustainable, and above all serves the ever evolving-needs of the malades.
The committee met in Lourdes February 9th – 12th to begin final preparations for this year’s pilgrimage. Mitch and I were very happy to be joined in Lourdes by Stacey Reisman, our pilgrimage co-president, and John and Nancy Murphy, our registrars, who took the opportunity to meet with the hotel managers to discuss room accessibility, the meal plan, and other details usually not seen but vital to the success of the pilgrimage. Their visits will help ensure the rooms assigned to our malades and caregivers meet their needs and hopefully we’ll see an improvement in the food we are served ( i.e. less Mitch meat!).
A highlight of these few days in Lourdes was the opportunity to attend the Mass celebrated by Bishop Micas for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. I have never seen the Pius X (Underground) Basilica so packed or a Mass concelebrated by so many priests – there seemed to be hundreds! We were particularly privileged to be present when Bishop Micas recognized Frà Allesandro de Franciscis who is stepping down as President of the Lourdes Office of Medical Observations, a position he has held for 17 years, and the introduction of his successor, Dr. Giada Monami, a doctor from Venice who has been bringing the sick to Lourdes for many years.
Our brief but busy journey gave us a taste of what is to come in a few months and we can’t wait to go back with those who will travel to Lourdes on April 28th.
Kenneth R. Craig, GCM, President
