Maltese patients strengthened in faith during Lourdes pilgrimage
50 patients accompanied by 72 volunteers and other pilgrims took part in this year’s four-day annual UMTAL pilgrimage
The Maltese Association for the Transport of the Sick to Lourdes (UMTAL) recently organised its annual four-day pilgrimage to Lourdes for Maltese patients and pilgrims.
A total of 180 people took part, including members from the Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem, St Scholastica monastery, Id-Dar tal-Providenza, CareMalta homes, Dar Bjorn, Dar tal-Kleru and St Vincent de Paul.
The pilgrimage was led by Fr Joe Mizzi, UMTAL’s spiritual director, who together with four other priests took care of the Maltese patients and pilgrims’ spiritual needs. A medical team made up of five doctors, eight nurses, three pharmacists and a radiographer ensured that the 50 patients received the medical care they needed.
This year there were 72 volunteers helping the patients – 25 of them were new, nine were attending for the second time, and 38 have been helping with this pilgrimage for many years. Among the volunteers were six members of the Voca Choir, who joined the pilgrimage to animate mass in Maltese.
The patients, volunteers and pilgrims shared a deeply moving experience of faith and compassion in Lourdes. They took part in various religious functions, including the international mass and another mass in Maltese, the Way of the Cross, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and the evening procession known as the Aux Flambeaux. The pilgrims also took part in celebrations such as the sacrament of confession and the anointing of the sick.
UMTAL has been making this pilgrimage possible since 1931 for people who, because of health problems, find it difficult to visit this holy shrine.
To join next year’s pilgrimage, visit umtalmalta.org or send an e-mail to [email protected].