As part of a long tradition and thanks to the initiative of the Argentine Association, on Friday 8 September 50 Knights, Dames and volunteers of the Associations of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay, along with 30 Sick people, participated in a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Luján, Patroness of the Republic of Argentina. On that occasion, the Holy Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Antonio Baseotto, Chief Chaplain of the Argentine Association. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration the participants prayed before the image of Our Lady of Filermo, Patroness of the Sovereign Order of Malta, settled in the crypt of the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján.
At the conclusion of the religious ceremonies, the participants shared warm moments of spiritual closeness and relaxation with the sick.

Night of Charity
The previous night the participants in this pilgrimage attended the Night of Charity, a programmed meeting with a group of homeless, poverty-stricken individuals that the Argentine Association has been supporting for the last five years. Every Thursday in the Plaza Libertad in the city of Buenos Aires more than 280 people receive attention and to date approximately 60,000 rations of food and beverage have been distributed. In addition to this vital physical nourishment, an effort is also made to transmit a message of hope, faith and friendship.
This programme is possible thanks to the participation of a group of members and volunteers of the Sovereign Order of Malta and is financed with generous donations from the Dames of the Argentine Association.

Meeting of the Presidents of the Associations in the Southern Cone
The day after the pilgrimage, and after attending Holy Mass in the Church of St. Nicholas of Bari, the Presidents, Chancellors and Hospitallers of the Associations of the Sovereign Order of Malta in the Southern Cone held a meeting to share institutional experiences and coordinate regional projects. They also discussed the reality of humanitarian work in their respective countries and exchanged views on present and future challenges.
Likewise, the Presidents of the Associations had the opportunity to receive detailed information regarding the process of constitutional reform of the Sovereign Order of Malta from the Coordinator of the Reform Steering Committee, Ambassador Mauro Bertero Gutiérrez, to whom they communicated their proposals and thoughts on this important moment in the institutional life of the Order.