(ethereal music)
- [Blessor] My brothers and sisters in Christ.
To be able to come to Lourdes
is a tremendous blessing,
not as tourists but truly as pilgrims.
We are pilgrims here to pray,
and to receive all the graces
that are gonna come from this trip.
- The Wounded Warriors to Lourdes
is so important to the Knights of Columbus.
Our principle of fraternity is something
which transcends borders and calls us always
to take an additional step in brotherhood.
- This in fact, this is the hundredth anniversary
of the Knights of Columbus being in Lourdes.
We really are supporting a unique element
of the military population and that is
the wounded, ill and injured, their caregivers
and then those active duty who need
that spiritual underpinning to their life
and to their service.
- This morning we marched over to the Grotto site
and attended mass.
Really powerful experience there with all
the different nations.
The atmosphere and the environment here are very peaceful.
Non-Catholics and Catholics alike are here
just to experience some sort of healing
in either body, mind or spirit.
The PTS and other mental health issues
that I suffer from from my deployments
was juxtaposed here at Lourdes engaging
and speaking with some of the other service members
from the U.S. and other nations.
Sharing those experiences, you do feel understood.
That does contribute to the healing process.
(inspirational music)
- I love Lourdes because there is a peace
that I cannot find anywhere else.
Even thought it's a little busy
and there's a lot going on, you still find peace
and joy seeing everybody participating.
The troops, the families, the spouses,
it's just wonderful.
- In the Army, there's always moves, PCSs.
There's missions that you have to go on.
And they kind of take you away from family.
So I think a lot of these stressors have kind of
built up and then coming here feels like
a lot of it's kind of lifted off my shoulders.
So, pretty awesome.
Brought me a little bit closer to my faith.
- Yesterday afternoon we had an anointing service
and what a beautiful opportunity to be able
to invite our warriors to come forward to receive
that special gift.
Jesus still heals today as he did throughout the Gospels.
He heals us sometimes physically, sometimes emotionally.
Sometimes he heals us with a gift of peace.
- For me, it's been a great reminder that we can look
at X-rays, we can talk about surgical plans,
but you really need to treat the entire patient.
And it's really taken everything into account.
Their support system, their spiritual beliefs,
you know where they are at emotionally in their recovery.
- We need to care for those who been wounded.
We need to pray for those who have gone
in the service of their country.
And we need to continue the mission
and the mission is a mission of service
to our country and to those who serve our country.
- The most important thing for me personally
is when I get an opportunity to sit down
with the individual soldiers,
that to me is what it's all about.
Warriors to Lourdes, it's not a job.
To me, it's a mission.
Maybe we might say my final mission as a warrior.
And to know that I'm still serving as a Marine,
I can ask for no better.
- [Blessor] Those of you who are retired,
thank you for your service.
Family members, thank you for supporting your warriors.
My brother Knights of Columbus, thank you
for your continuous, amazing generosity.
All of you who have served on active duty,
continue to be strong warriors.
God bless you.