Once again, a number of Malades were among the contingent of Sorelle, Barrellieri, Pilgrims and accompanying relatives on their pilgrimage to Lourdes organised by the Malta Association of The Sovereign Military Order of Malta (MASMOM). The Vodafone Malta Foundation once again supported the Maltese contingent, made up of 330 people, including 65 sick patients, 80 pilgrims and members of the Order and dedicated volunteers.

“The Vodafone Malta Foundation has been supporting this initiative for quite a long time,” said Gemma Mifsud Bonnici, Chairperson of the Vodafone Malta Foundation. “Through MASMOM we help people in need and make it possible for sick people to realise their dream and go on this pilgrimage. Despite illness and pain the patients still wear beautiful smiles on their faces and this encourages us so  much more to keep contributing to this special cause and  it also teaches us to change our perspective on what is really important in life.”

“Our hard work and excellent organisation paid well,” said Philip Farrugia-Randon, MASMOM President. “This year’s pilgrimage was a resounding success and everyone expressed their gratitude and satisfaction. There is always much trepidation before leaving with so many things that can go wrong but the Good Lady of Lourdes always sees us through the difficulties and helps us solve them. I cannot but thank all the volunteers and the members of the Lourdes Organising Committee for all their hard work and certainly all those generous souls who financially helped us on this wonderful experience.”

The MASMOM group, supported by the Vodafone Malta Foundation and our other generous sponsors, prepared thoroughly for this pilgrimage spurred on by the knowledge that this hard work would be rewarded by a deeply spiritual experience that would enrich not only the lives of the organisers and helpers but of the patients as well. The Maltese contigent included Our Lord the sick, volunteers, helpers and pilgrims. Upon returning from Lourdes both the personnel and the patients came back feeling serene having shared this very rewarding experience together.

“The time spent at the sacred shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes was very profound. I became overwhelmed by the manifest, deep faith and hope of those seeking divine intercession of Our Lady. I wish to thank all those, who, with a lot of dedication worked hard to make this pilgrimage a successful and spiritual enriching experience,” said Fr Vince Fenech, a patient who went on the pilgrimage.