The Order of Malta Western Association U.S.A. is looking for Hawaii Catholics with “a life changing illness or physical challenge” to go on a pilgrimage next year April 30 to May 8 to bathe in the healing waters of Lourdes, France.
The trip is free for the person with the illness, whom the Order of Malta refers to as a “malade,” but he or she must travel with a paying companion.
A one-sheet nomination form for those who want to be considered as a malade is available through Thomas Cabrinha at thomascabrinha@att.net or (808) 533-4244, or Darryl Wong at dwong@99imperial.net or (808) 943-3106. They will arrange to interview nominees and their companions.
The Order of Malta is a lay religious order of the Catholic Church founded in 1113 and active in 120 countries caring for people in need through medical, social and humanitarian works. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Western Association of the Order’s Lourdes pilgrimage.
According to Wong, “any practicing Catholic who has had a life changing illness or physical challenge is eligible” to be a malade. However, the malade must be well enough to make the long trip to France.
Those on dialysis or other treatments that would cause them to miss many of the pilgrimage events in Lourdes, including processions, visits to the baths, meals, special devotions and Masses, will probably not be selected. Likewise, the malade’s companion must be physically able to participate in all the events.
Nomination sheets must be turned in before Nov. 1.
The pilgrimage will leave from Los Angeles on April 30. The air and land travel cost for the malade’s companion is $3,600. The land-only cost is $2,700.