Lourdes--some have called it the heart of the church
because the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared there and
offered that message of healing.
The military pilgrimage to Lourdes actually began as
an attempt at rapprochement between the Germans
and the French after the Second World War.
This pilgrimage then became an instrument of
Catholics in the military, throughout the world,
to gather together in a moment of prayer for world
peace.
The Knights of Columbus first joined with
U.S. military personnel in a pilgrimage to Lourdes
during the First World War
in which we helped our servicemen come
to the shrine. Last year we came back with our
American wounded warriors in cooperation
with the Archdiocese for Military Services
and this is part of a long tradition in the
Knights of Columbus to support our military
personnel active and our veterans, especially
those who have been wounded or injured in the
War.
Coming back from Afghanistan
with
lots of injuries, spiritual healing has been
tremendous for me.
Dealing with anger issues, dealing with
just trauma. Trying to strengthen my relationship
with God. Being a part of this event with other
Christians that are trying to do the same thing
is a very unique event for me, like a
once in a lifetime opportunity.
It has been amazing
I have met a lot of wonderful people that have
been a great blessing, who have shared their stories,
who have shared their experience
and who I can really relate to.
It's just comforting to know that, while we have
different experiences, we get it--we understand.
We don't even have to talk, It's just being in each
others' presence is very supportive.
So, to be here with all these other militaries is
nothing short of amazing.
Our Catholic faith, our Catholic values promote
a patriotism that at the same time respects the
patriotism of individuals in other countries.
And so here we see military personnel from many, many
countries
going to Mass together, praying together, on
pilgrimage together.
It's a sign of peace,
a sign of fraternity,
and a sign that we can have a better future.
Going to war--there's certainly a spiritual void,
a lot of chaos and death and destruction
and so for a sign of of god's presence
there's definitely a need.
There was emptiness before--
I was just mad--
and took me this long to figure it out.
Talking to the other couples, being around people
that I feel comfortable with--
some of the guys that have been
to Iraq and Afghanistan share the same stories.
They encourage me, you know, "take it slow,"
you know, and just talking to me. Talking to the
deacon, it was just great.
I think
it will be positive for those who are here to see
how many people wanna help them to get better.
And this pilgrimage won't be the end of it, this will
continue to reach out to these men and women--
these brave young men and women--who were injured
in some way, and now they're here for the healing of
Mary's miraculous waters, here at Lourdes, to help
them
on the rest of their journey and life.
The procession
was just a beautiful image to me and that sea of
light, that kind of cloud of witnesses, to see
the church embrace folks as they came in--
and my hope Is that they would experience
that reconciliation, that return, that welcome
back into the faith and family of God and that
there's healing and hope possible coming home.
I just felt like a...
like an awakening
like something I was missing
and I don't know what words, what label, title to
put to it--it's just amazing.
Not everyone who comes to Lourdes will be cured,
but everyone will be healed, and whether it's
something that's miraculous or
whether it's just being able to gain peace,
which is so lacking in our everyday lives.
I'm looking forward to being able to come as a
volunteer in the future to help other troops that
are going through this.