Bishop Smith joins Order of Malta on annual pilgrimage to Lourdes
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Bishop John M. Smith joined a group of 400 people from the United States on the 25th annual Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and Malta pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, from April 28 to May 4. Bishop Smith, who participated in his first pilgrimage with the order last year, is a conventual chaplain of American Association of the Order of Malta.
The Order of Malta, which is devoted to care of the sick and the poor, sponsors a group of 50 people suffering from severe illnesses and their caregivers to travel to Lourdes each year to visit the site of Mary’s appearance to young French peasant Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.
The Grotto where Mary appeared contains a spring whose waters are believed to have miraculous healing abilities. In addition to visiting the spring, pilgrims spent their time attending Mass, praying the rosary and engaging in spiritual reflection.
Among the knights and dames of the Order of Malta who joined Bishop Smith on the pilgrimage were Bob and Karen Tanzola, parishioners of St. Catharine Parish, Spring Lake. During a Mass in the Lourdes Chapel of the Poor Clares, Bob Tanzola took a vow of obedience to become a member of the sub-priory of the Order of Malta.
“Our pilgrimage always highlights the work we do during the year to help the sick and the poor,” said Karen Tanzola. “It is always a faith building experience.”
Related Stories
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
E-Editions
Events
Bishop John M. Smith joined a group of 400 people from the United States on the 25th annual Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and Malta pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, from April 28 to May 4. Bishop Smith, who participated in his first pilgrimage with the order last year, is a conventual chaplain of American Association of the Order of Malta.
The Order of Malta, which is devoted to care of the sick and the poor, sponsors a group of 50 people suffering from severe illnesses and their caregivers to travel to Lourdes each year to visit the site of Mary’s appearance to young French peasant Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.
The Grotto where Mary appeared contains a spring whose waters are believed to have miraculous healing abilities. In addition to visiting the spring, pilgrims spent their time attending Mass, praying the rosary and engaging in spiritual reflection.
Among the knights and dames of the Order of Malta who joined Bishop Smith on the pilgrimage were Bob and Karen Tanzola, parishioners of St. Catharine Parish, Spring Lake. During a Mass in the Lourdes Chapel of the Poor Clares, Bob Tanzola took a vow of obedience to become a member of the sub-priory of the Order of Malta.
“Our pilgrimage always highlights the work we do during the year to help the sick and the poor,” said Karen Tanzola. “It is always a faith building experience.”