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 Annually,
thousands of knights and dames of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, where Mary is said to have appeared
to Saint Bernadette Soubirous more than 140 years ago. Since 1858, thousands
of medically unexplainable miracles have been recorded in Lourdes, a statistic
that offers hope to the suffering and their loved ones. The Order of Malta
is dedicated to the mission of charity towards the sick and the poor. Each
member of the Order travels to Lourdes to assist the weak of body and spirit
and offer their support and prayers.
This past May, a group of Holy Cross alumni, led by Malta chairman, Jack
E. Pohrer ’62, and acting president of the American Association
of the Knights and Dames of Malta, Hon. Richard C. Casey ’55,
made the annual pilgrimage. Their group of alumni participants was larger
than any other college present at Lourdes this year.
While in Lourdes, the knights and dames acted as volunteer hosts for hundreds
of sick and disabled people. They participated in special Masses, prayer
services and processions and took trips to healing baths.
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