‘Holy high’ in Lourdes

Hawaii residents traveled to Lourdes this spring with members of the local Order of Malta

By Anna Weaver
Hawaii Catholic Herald

After a few years hiatus due to COVID-19, the Hawaii branch of the Order of Malta resumed its pilgrimage groups to Lourdes, France, in fall 2021 and spring 2022.

Lourdes, the site of a famous Marian apparition, is known for its spring where those who are ill can bathe and wash in the waters that have reported healing powers.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Waikane, parishioners Diane and Colin Lau were two Hawaii travelers with the Hawaii Order of Malta to Lourdes from April 26 to May 5.

Diane, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2018, went as a “malade” and Colin as her caregiver. Colin’s cousin, Darryl Wong, is one of the local Knights of Malta who organized the annual Lourdes pilgrimages.

The Knights cover the cost of travel for the malade. At Lourdes, members of the order come from all over along with their families and friends who evolunteer as support for those seeking healing at the holy site. Hawaii is a part of the Western Association of the Knights of Malta.

The Lau’s granddaughter, Serenity Lau, served as a volunteer to other “malades” on the trip and was kept very busy. Another Hawaii resident, Anita Sasaki, and her son, Matthew, also went with the Hawaii group.

Here are some of Diane and Colin’s thoughts on their trip to Lourdes.

Diane: “Going was kind of like a coercion [laughter]. Colin’s cousin, Darryl, and his wife, Teresa, have gone to Lourdes many times, and they just truly believe in what’s going on there. In 2018, when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Teresa asked me if I wanted to go to Lourdes. At that time, I was in self-denial, I was just really into myself, and I said no. I guess it just wasn’t the right time.

“Back in November, they asked us again. And I’m still undergoing treatment for metastasized cancer, so this time I said I’d think about it. We filled out the paperwork, and that’s how it came down.

“The trip was indescribably incredible.”

Colin: “It was the places we went but it was also all the people who we met, all the volunteers and the staff from the Order of Malta. Also meeting up with the malades and caregivers that were in the same boat as we were.”

Diane: “At 8:45 a.m. every day, we’d gather in the hotel basement and the malades would get into their ‘carts’ and be with members of the order helping us to get around. Every night prior, the people who were going to escort you the following day would come and meet you at dinner.”

Colin: “There were seven ‘teams,’ and people from all over the United States were there, though mainly the Western Association.”

Diane: “We went to churches and basilicas and places that had holy hours of adoration. At a special Mass at the Basilica of St. Pius X, the Order of Malta’s papal delegate, Cardinal Silvano M. Tomasi, confirmed one of the young malades in our ‘Green Team’ group since the young man missed his Confirmation date back at home.

“And there were the baths and the grotto where Blessed Mother appeared to Bernadette Soubirous.”

Colin: “Because of COVID, people can no longer immerse themselves in the waters. They can only do what Bernadette could do, which was wash their hands, wash their face and drink from the water. That’s what we were able to do this trip. It’s just a marvelous place.”

Diane: “The streets are very, very narrow, and very, very clean.”

Colin: “When we had some free time where we could go out and tour into the surrounding city, I was just amazed at how many different Order of Malta groups were there along with the Western Association. Australia, France, Italy, all wearing their uniforms, the knights and the dames. It’s like they took over Lourdes when we were there.

Diane: “I went to Lourdes with no expectation. Besides it being a very long trip, by the time I got there, I was very, very motivated by the people, the Malta folks in particular. I was just very, very blessed. I felt like I was on a really holy high.”

Colin: “Both Diane and I are in our 70s, and there was a number of malades and caretakers in their 60s and 70s. But what really caught my attention was that there were quite a number of very young children. There were several children that may have been under three years old. There were several youth that were a part of our group, one was 10 and the other 12. The 10-year-old needs a heart replacement and the 12-year-old has neurological issues.

“Granted Diane has her issue with her cancer, but to see these young people that have yet to live their lives with these major illnesses. It really struck me, and I was very emotionally dismayed to see these younger people with all of these issues.

“All of these members, they have to pay to go there to serve the malades and their caregivers, people that they’ve never met before. That just shows me how much love they have in their heart.”

Diane: “I feel differently about a lot of things now. Again, it’s indescribable. I feel like my prayers are deeper. My faith has changed a bit, I believe. I’m trying to be a better person because of what I saw, because of a lot of the people that I was around. I would love to get together with them again.”

This interview was edited and condensed for space.