On Saturday, 17 May, the Umbria Delegation of the Sovereign Order of Malta, together with its assisted guests, members of the Italian Relief Corps (CISOM), and the Military Corps of the Order, gathered at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in Montemelino di Magione (Province of Perugia) for the annual pilgrimage in honour of the Virgin Mary. Among the participants was H.E. Stefano Palumbo, Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Republic of Albania.<\/p>\n
Around one hundred pilgrims filled the square in front of the church, dedicating the day to prayer to the Mater Spei<\/em>, in this Jubilee Year of Hope. The pilgrimage, now in its 24th edition, was led by Monsignor Fra\u2019 Giovanni Scarabelli, Conventual Chaplain Grand Cross ad honorem. As in previous years, members and volunteers of the Order joined the pilgrimage along with the assisted guests, CISOM volunteers, and members of the Military Corps engaged in health and emergency relief activities.<\/p>\n The religious celebration was preceded by a solemn recitation of the Rosary in front of the replica of the Lourdes Grotto, led by Magistral Chaplain Don Alessandro Fortunati, head of the Diocesan School of Theological-Pastoral Formation of Orvieto-Todi. The Eucharistic celebration was concelebrated by Mons. Scarabelli and Don Paolo Peciola, spiritual assistant of CISOM Spoleto, and was enriched by liturgical hymns performed by Don Lorenzo Romagna, Magistral Chaplain and Director of the Liturgical Office of the Diocese of Orvieto-Todi.<\/p>\n In his homily, Monsignor Scarabelli emphasized the importance of Scripture in today\u2019s disoriented and uncertain times, reminding that the biblical verb \u201cto know\u201d also means \u201cto love\u201d \u2013 to enter into a deep and total relationship with others and with God. He underlined that loving relationships are at the heart of living true Christian charitas<\/em>.<\/p>\n Among the assisted pilgrims were guests from the \u201cSanta Caterina\u201d Welcome Home in Solfagnano (Perugia), where the Delegation provides year-round assistance and organises regular moments of prayer and community life. Activities include the distribution of essential goods, both food and non-food items, as well as festive events like the Christmas Tombola and Easter Celebration organised by the Youth Group. The Delegation is also planning to launch an art therapy workshop at the home, open not only to residents but also to members of the local community. This ongoing support is complemented by regular visits and aid to convents across the region, particularly those in more remote or cloistered locations.<\/p>\n Following the Mass, pilgrims and volunteers gathered for a moment of fellowship at the Castle of the Knights of Malta in Magione. Seated at a single long table of one hundred places, they concluded the day in a spirit of joy, harmony, and fraternity.<\/p>\n The pilgrimage stands as a vivid expression of the Order\u2019s mission: to serve those in need with dignity and compassion, inspired by faith and strengthened by community.<\/p>\n","news_gallery":"yes","news_gallery_elements":[{"id":3881,"url":"https:\/\/albaniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/06\/PHOTO-2025-05-17-20-37-25-2.jpg"},{"id":3885,"url":"https:\/\/albaniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/06\/PHOTO-2025-05-17-20-37-25-4.jpg"},{"id":3877,"url":"https:\/\/albaniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/06\/PHOTO-2025-05-17-19-43-30-8.jpg"},{"id":3887,"url":"https:\/\/albaniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/06\/PHOTO-2025-05-17-20-37-25-5.jpg"},{"id":3865,"url":"https:\/\/albaniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/06\/PHOTO-2025-05-17-19-43-30-2.jpg"},{"id":3869,"url":"https:\/\/albaniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/06\/PHOTO-2025-05-17-19-43-30-4.jpg"},{"id":3895,"url":"https:\/\/albaniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/06\/PHOTO-2025-05-17-20-37-25.jpg"}],"news_excerpt":"On Saturday, 17 May, the Umbria Delegation of the Sovereign Order of Malta, together with its assisted guests gathered at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in Montemelino.."},"news_categories":[{"id":10,"name":"News","slug":"news","description":"","link":"https:\/\/albaniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/news-categories\/news\/"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/albaniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/3864","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/albaniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/albaniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/albaniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/3864\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/albaniaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3864"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}