A group of 180 Maltese patients, volunteers and pilgrims travelled to Lourdes last week for the annual four-day pilgrimage organised by the Maltese Association for the Transport of the Sick to Lourdes (UMTAL), offering participants what organisers described as a deeply moving experience of faith and compassion, the Archdiocese of Malta said.

The group included members of the Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem, the Monastery of St Scholastica, Dar tal-Providenza, CareMalta homes, Dar Bjorn, Dar tal-Kleru and the St Vincent de Paule Residence, the statement said.

The pilgrimage was led by UMTAL's spiritual director, Fr Joe Mizzi, together with four other priests who attended to the spiritual needs of the Maltese patients and pilgrims throughout the four-day visit, the statement said.

A medical team comprising five doctors, eight nurses, three pharmacists and a radiographer ensured that the 50 patients received the care they needed throughout the pilgrimage, the statement said.

This year's pilgrimage also included 72 volunteers, of whom 25 were taking part for the first time, nine were attending for the second time and 38 had been assisting on the pilgrimage for many years, the statement said.

Among the volunteers were six members of the Voca Choir, who animated the Mass celebrated in Maltese.

Patients, volunteers and pilgrims took part in a number of religious celebrations, including the international Mass and a Mass in Maltese, followed by the Way of the Cross, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the evening Aux Flambeaux candlelight procession, the statement said.

The pilgrims also participated in the sacrament of confession and the anointing of the sick, the statement said.

UMTAL has organised the annual Lourdes pilgrimage since 1931 for people who, because of health conditions, find it difficult to visit the Marian shrine, the statement said.

Those interested in joining next year's pilgrimage can find more information on UMTAL's website or by contacting the organisation directly, the statement said.