Grand Master and Canadians at Order of Malta pilgrimage in Mexico
On Saturday 18 October the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra’ John Dunlap, participated in the 41st Annual Pilgrimage for the Sick, organized by the Order’s Mexican Association.
The pilgrimage took place at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, where the Order of Malta in Mexico has been organizing this annual initiative for the sick since the mid-1970s. Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas – a title Pope John Paul II gave her during his visit in 1999 – is the most important shrine in Mexico.
The Grand Master visited the site of the apparition to share in the devotion to Our Lady, accompanied by the President of the Mexican Association as well as numerous members and volunteers of the Order and the disabled people they care for. Hundreds of members coming from Canada, Puerto Rico, Colombia, the United States, Costa Rica and Cuba to honour the Virgin and to pray on this special occasion.
In his message, the Grand Master highlighted the importance of Mexico in the Order’s mission: “The Virgin of Guadalupe unites us in faith and compassion. Through the legacy of Blessed Gerard, the Order of Malta continues to serve with love and dignity those who need it most: the sick, the poor and the displaced”.
In this Jubilee Year 2025, the Basilica of Guadalupe is offering a Plenary Indulgence to pilgrims visiting the sanctuary during this time of grace and renewal, indicating a path towards the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 2031.
During his visit to the country, the Grand Master was able to see some of the projects the Order of Malta carries out for the poor and the sick in this land of extreme poverty, such as the ‘Salva a un Niño del SIDA’ scheme for preventing the HIV virus being transmitted from mothers to their children. He also participated in a solemn mass at the Apostolic Nunciature of Mexico City, celebrated in honour of Blessed Gerard, founder of the Order of Malta.
Among the Canadians at the Mexico pilgrimage were Robert Fung (Knight of Magistral Grace), Andrea Lavergne (Lourdes volunteer), and Roberta Bittencourt (Executive Secretary).
