At the heart of the OMV is a simple but profound belief: that faith is best lived through service. We are inspired by the call to see Christ in others, especially in those who are vulnerable, isolated, or in need of care. Our work is not reserved for the devout or experienced. There is something for everyone.
Whether you’re a first-time volunteer or a returning guest, the OMV offers a space to grow spiritually, emotionally, and personally. Through shared experiences, prayer, and practical care, we deepen our understanding of what it means to love, to serve, and to belong.
Here are just a few stories from our community that reflect the spirit of the OMV:
Mary (Volunteer)
To say that the OMV has changed my life seems to reduce it to a well-worn cliché, but there is no better way to describe the impact it has had on me and many others – guests and volunteers alike. I started my OMV journey in Lourdes when I was 17. Now, six years on, I can’t imagine a summer without it. Here, throughout the masses, care-giving and socialising, kindness and joy are on the agenda for every hour. I see this in the dedication of fellow volunteers, as well as the high spirits of our guests – something that I hope to never take for granted.
International Holiday Camp (IHC) is a wonderful opportunity to come together with Order of Malta groups from over 20 different countries. Filled with an array of activities, day trips, and themed discos, it is on these trips that I experience the true power of compassion and have formed lasting and unparalleled bonds with our guests.
The OMV’s more slow-paced weekend activities, including a pilgrimage to Walsingham, a Christmas Reunion and an Easter Reunion, have also become staples of my calendar. I come away from these trips fuelled by many cups of tea, the warmth of friendship and a healing spiritual goodness.
What motivates the OMV is faith in action. Our faith isn’t just expressed in common prayer, but merrily underpins all the care we give, including the “mundane” moments of shower-taking, teeth-brushing, and breakfast-munching. We may be helping our guests with these activities, but the amount they have helped us cannot go unnoticed; from them I have learnt so much about myself, others, and what it means to be Christian.
I feel incredibly blessed to be part of the OMV. The moments of joy and the lasting friendships that characterise every activity sustain me throughout the year, keep my faith alive, and have me coming back year on year.
Jay Hughes (Guest)
The OMV family
Jay Hughes – who is he? Where is he? What is he? Why don’t I know him? Is he a ‘legend’, a ‘celebrity’ or even just a top bloke, as he is most often described.
For the few who don’t know, just ask, and you shall be moved in the direction of a person in a chair called Jay Hughes; that’s me! A once 1st time young OMV guest of 17, to now a rather active and modestly popular 5th year OMV guest, who you can find gladly amongst many OMV events hidden in various happy places like – Worth Abbey in Crawley; the Bronx (pub) of many a Lourdes visit in South France; saying hello to a kind lady in Walsingham, or Christmas dinners with my OMV family.
They truly are my family, in my view, all the ever loving volunteers and guests, be it from the OMV or the Order of Malta, who I love with all my heart.
Each summer, when I visit all 23 uniquely fabulous countries at the OMV camp, they support me on all these activities emotionally and practically. Thank you and long may my fun-filled OMV years continue.
Theo (Volunteer)
My experiences with the OMV have really shown me how much joy and happiness can be created when young people are motivated and willing to come together to help others. Though the Lourdes Pilgrimage can be difficult and daunting every year that I have gone has made me want to return. The feeling one receives as you begin to build a relationship with a guest, or words of encouragement the soutien, medics and organizing team give you after a particularly tough day, and my personal favorite watching a new relationship form right in front of you as you introduce a new volunteer to a guest. The friendships and relationships that have been built and strengthened over the last 4 years will truly be life long. Nothing will ever replace the wonderful experience of an OMV Lourdes pilgrimage.
Lourdes as a place itself is truly mesmerizing, as countlessly explained by sister Jemma to a sea of tired volunteers during night prayers, “the veil between heaven and earth is just a little bit thinner at Lourdes”. This focus on faith within the OMV allowed me to reconnect with my faith when I needed it most.
The way the Lourdes and the OMV changes who you are is remarkable, often in ways you don’t expect. From helping Daniel and Brendon get dressed on my first day in first year, to listening to the shire song on repeat with James Grey in my second to rushing around looking for missing wheelchairs in my third and watching volunteers and guests dance on the roof of the St Frai in my fourth. These moments and countless more have come to shape me into a person I am today and for that I am eternally grateful.
These stories reflect the heart of our mission: to serve with love, to grow in faith, and to build a family where everyone is welcome. Whether you’re looking to volunteer, reconnect with your faith, or simply be part of something meaningful, there’s a place for you in the OMV.