Worldwide Pilgrimages
In my quest to learn everything I possibly
could about Lourdes,
I' discovered from my journeys there that there
are huge pilgrimages
that have been going to Lourdes annually
for decades,
mostly bringing the handicapped there!
Our group "Spark" is also now an annual
journey/pilgrimage!
I've written about some of them below!
The US National Rosary Pilgrimage
The Knights of Columbus out of Washingtonville, NY raise money to bring the children to Lourdes, acompanied by medical staff,
clergy and volunteers.
As of 2012,they are on their 59th pilgrimage
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HCPT - The Pilgrimage Trust
This organaization is based out of the UK,
and has branches in the USA, Slovakia, Croatia, Romania and the West Indies!
Their Easter Pilgrimage consists of around 2000 children with
disabilities or special needs,
along with helpers, nurses , doctors and chaplains consisiting of
around 5000 altogether, every year!
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Military Pilgrimage
The 2014 Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage for Wounded
or Disabled Military Personnel for the 56th Annual International Military
Pilgrimage will take place on May 13-19, 2014
The 55th International Military Pilgrimage in 2013 gathered soldiers and their families from 35 different countries at Our Lady's Shrine in Lourdes through the weekend of Friday 24 - Sunday 26 May 2013.
.The pilgrimage, sponsored by the Archdiocese for the Military Services,
USA and the Knights of Columbus, is the latest event in a long
history of both organization’s involvement in Lourdesand
in service to the military.
Wounded or disabled military personnel and their essential companion-caregivers
will travel to the Marian shrine for a time of resting, praying, and healing.
“We will journey and pray with pilgrims
from around the world,” said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of
the Archdiocese of Military Services
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The Order of Malta
The Order of Malta is a world wide organization that is on
it's 55th international pilgrimage to Lourdes as of 2013.
The group consists of about 6500 people from over 35 nations.
They go for the sole purpose of helping the sick, called malades,
who come for spiritual renewal and healing.
The origins of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in the United States
date back to 1927 in New York City with the founding of the American Association.
By the 1950's, the membership had grown so geographically diverse
that the Sovereign Council established the Western Association in San Francisco to encompass the nine western states, Alaska, and Hawaii.
The Order continued to increase in membership over the next twenty
years and, in 1974, the Sovereign Council approved the formation of
the Southern Association—which is known today as the Federal Association,
U.S.A.
The Federal Association is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
and today its members are found in over twenty regions nationwide.
Join "A Spark" for a life transfroming journey to
one of the world's greatest pilgrimage sights!