2005 Lourdes Pilgrimage | Order Of Malta American Association

About the Order The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and Malta is one of the oldest institutions of Western and Christian civilization. The 13,500 Knights and Dames remain true to its principles – nurturing, witnessing and protecting the faith and serving the poor and the sick.

The 2005 Lourdes Pilgrimage

The 2005 Pilgrimage, lead by Archbishop Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap, of Boston, set new records. It was the 20th anniversary of the first American Association participation in the Order of Malta International Pilgrimage to Lourdes and the largest ever. Almost 400 Pilgrims traveled on a charted Boeing 747 from New York directly to Lourdes, France, for a full week of activities beginning on Wednesday, April 27, and returning on Wednesday, May 4.

There were 52 Malades (what the French call sick Pilgrims) and 44 of their caregivers that came as our honored, invited guests. We were supported by 16 Clergy, 17 Physicians and 13 Nurses. For the first time in memory, it did not rain and it was not cold. In fact, on some days it was quite warm.

The Pilgrimage was under the leadership of Co-Chairs JoAnne Connolly, DM, and John Connolly, KM, and an extraordinary group of volunteers.