Christina Oscarsson, who lives at St Wilfrid’s Priory care home in Arundel, joined the latest pilgrimage to Lourdes organised by The Order of Malta. The pilgrimage took place from 3 – 9 May 2024, with many volunteers and members of The Order of Malta making it possible for those who are frail or unwell to make the journey. 

Christina is 75 years old and has lived at St Wilfrid’s Priory care home since 2020. She moved to the UK in 1989 from Stockholm, Sweden, to join the Poor Clares, an order of sisters descended from St Clare of Assisi (a contemporary of St Francis). Christina lived in a Poor Clares convent in Lynton, north Devon, before moving to Arundel. 

Going to Lourdes this spring was inspirational for Christina, who said: “I had not been practicing my catholic faith for some time, but going on the pilgrimage helped me to return to the Catholic Church. After hearing the sermon in Lourdes, I feel that I have come back to ‘mum’, that is, Our Lady Mary, mother of Jesus and mother of us all.”

The pilgrimage included several highlights for Christina, including mass with everyone on the pilgrimage and taking part in the Way of the Cross. Another special event was the candle-lit procession with the statue of Our Lady Mary, one evening. Christina said: “Lourdes is a very beautiful place with lots of places to walk and be in nature. 

“I was blessed to meet many wonderful people in Lourdes, including a 96-year-old lady, who I admired very much. She made us laugh a lot. 

“I would encourage anyone who wishes to go on a pilgrimage to do it. They will be made very welcome. It is not important which church you belong to. A pilgrimage is a great opportunity for all who wish to strengthen their faith.”

Christina shared her thanks to OSJCT, she said: “I feel it's wonderful and God’s blessing that all at OSJCT made it possible for me to make this pilgrimage.”

Christina’s visit to Lourdes was funded by The Orders of St John’s Care Trust (OSJCT), which runs St Wilfrid’s Priory care home, and organised and supported by the British Association of the Order of Malta. During the week pilgrims from Great Britain met up with other members of the Order from all over the world. 

Charles Nicholson, Companions of the Order of Malta Deputy Chair, said: “Our Pilgrimage to Lourdes is a special week. Everyone experiences a unique week. There is a wonderful variety of activities from the beautiful torchlight procession, quiet prayers, masses held in beautiful churches throughout the town, to picnics and the very popular party at the end of the week. Each of us returns in some way feeling better for what Lourdes has given us.”