 Have you prayed to see miracle cures at Lourdes? I have. | 
Would you know what to expect from the Knights of Malta? I didn't
| 
Would you cry at the thousands of sick and dying people? I did
|
It's difficult to envisage how helping others in a small way could help millions in years to come.
The 11th century monk who started a small Jerusalem clinic for sick pilgrims couldn't have envisaged the support it gave to armour-clad knights as they battled to protect Catholic hospitals in wars against against the Turks.
Nor could the monk know it would lead to a unique 21st century global organisation. Members have their own coins,stamps, and passports. They enjoy diplomatic rights with 104 countries, and other rights of a country, without having their own country. (Napoleon expelled them from Malta, the last country they lived in as a group.)
And that monk would not have thought that 900 years later, the Knights of Malta would consist mainly of rich Catholics who dedicate part of their lives to service. Their annual budget is about $300 million. They are currently opening soup kitchens around destitute Europe, and are responsible for hospitals, leprosariums, laboratories, ambulances services and other projects to help poor, sick, and dying people around the globe.
I met the Knights of Malta when invited by a Harley Street doctor to become one of their Broncardiers. Wearing black battle-dress, black beret, and 'Great Britain' and 'Maltese Cross' badges, my role was to help about 40 sick and dying persons from England travel to Lourdes, then push their wheelchairs, and help with "porter" type duties..
At first sight, Lourdes is not the spiritually happy place one might expect. Spiritual, yes. Happy, certainly not. There are too many sick and dying. No matter how much we may be used to helping sick and dying people, we cannot be prepared for the shock. I met doctors and nurses who travel to help at Lourdes every year - and cry every year.
I met experienced healers there. They said, 'We are not allowed to practise healing in Lourdes. Any miracles must come from Lourdes. Just give out healing thoughts.' I did to the first group of about ten. And the second group of about two hundred. And the third group of about thirty.
By the evening, it felt like shell-shock. I remember standing on a bridge overlooking the bubbling river that runs through Lourdes town centre. Snow-capped Pyrenean mountains glistened in the distance. Another group of about twenty wheelchair-bound invalids passed by, singing hymns. It felt an impossible task to help so many sick and dying. I remember thinking, 'Jesus was one of the best healers who ever lived. What would he have done?'
And I wept...
My tears flowed down the river, helplessly. During the first few days, despite helpers having high levels of Love and Acceptance, many helpers cried.
Few places on Earth could be more emotionally negative. Yet, at the same time, Lourdes was inspirationally positive.
Inspiration came from Les Malades themselves. They were so incredibly cheerful, brave, and kind! Their characters and personalities were treasures to find! Despite pains and ills, they never complained!
Within days, helpers' tear-filled eyes changed to looks of admiration. It was a humbling, learning experience. We were there to help them; they ended up helping us!
Within all this is the holy nature of Lourdes. Especially the Grotto where, in 1858, St Bernadette saw the Virgin Mary on eighteen detailed occasions. Place a petition for help here when you visit. Who knows, the next miracle at Lourdes could be you!
And if you start a small project to help others like that monk did 900 years ago, God knows how many people could therefore be helped 900 years later.
Perhaps it's time to start a small project?
The 11th century monk who started a small Jerusalem clinic for sick pilgrims couldn't have envisaged the support it gave to armour-clad knights as they battled to protect Catholic hospitals in wars against against the Turks.
Nor could the monk know it would lead to a unique 21st century global organisation. Members have their own coins,stamps, and passports. They enjoy diplomatic rights with 104 countries, and other rights of a country, without having their own country. (Napoleon expelled them from Malta, the last country they lived in as a group.)
And that monk would not have thought that 900 years later, the Knights of Malta would consist mainly of rich Catholics who dedicate part of their lives to service. Their annual budget is about $300 million. They are currently opening soup kitchens around destitute Europe, and are responsible for hospitals, leprosariums, laboratories, ambulances services and other projects to help poor, sick, and dying people around the globe.
I met the Knights of Malta when invited by a Harley Street doctor to become one of their Broncardiers. Wearing black battle-dress, black beret, and 'Great Britain' and 'Maltese Cross' badges, my role was to help about 40 sick and dying persons from England travel to Lourdes, then push their wheelchairs, and help with "porter" type duties..
At first sight, Lourdes is not the spiritually happy place one might expect. Spiritual, yes. Happy, certainly not. There are too many sick and dying. No matter how much we may be used to helping sick and dying people, we cannot be prepared for the shock. I met doctors and nurses who travel to help at Lourdes every year - and cry every year.
I met experienced healers there. They said, 'We are not allowed to practise healing in Lourdes. Any miracles must come from Lourdes. Just give out healing thoughts.' I did to the first group of about ten. And the second group of about two hundred. And the third group of about thirty.
By the evening, it felt like shell-shock. I remember standing on a bridge overlooking the bubbling river that runs through Lourdes town centre. Snow-capped Pyrenean mountains glistened in the distance. Another group of about twenty wheelchair-bound invalids passed by, singing hymns. It felt an impossible task to help so many sick and dying. I remember thinking, 'Jesus was one of the best healers who ever lived. What would he have done?'
And I wept...
My tears flowed down the river, helplessly. During the first few days, despite helpers having high levels of Love and Acceptance, many helpers cried.
Few places on Earth could be more emotionally negative. Yet, at the same time, Lourdes was inspirationally positive.
Inspiration came from Les Malades themselves. They were so incredibly cheerful, brave, and kind! Their characters and personalities were treasures to find! Despite pains and ills, they never complained!
Within days, helpers' tear-filled eyes changed to looks of admiration. It was a humbling, learning experience. We were there to help them; they ended up helping us!
Within all this is the holy nature of Lourdes. Especially the Grotto where, in 1858, St Bernadette saw the Virgin Mary on eighteen detailed occasions. Place a petition for help here when you visit. Who knows, the next miracle at Lourdes could be you!
And if you start a small project to help others like that monk did 900 years ago, God knows how many people could therefore be helped 900 years later.
Perhaps it's time to start a small project?
RSS Feed
