American soldiers on a pilgrimage to Lourdes from May 13 to 15, 2022 had the idea of making more than 3,000 prayer kits with a vial of Lourdes water for Ukrainian soldiers. Back to this gesture of solidarity.
American soldiers mobilized for Ukrainian soldiers during a pilgrimage to Lourdes from May 13 to 15, 2022 under the theme of peace. They have made more than 3,000 prayer kits which, after being blessed by Father Timothy Paul Andrew Broglio, Archbishop of the Military Services, will be sent to Ukraine to be distributed to wounded soldiers as well as serving soldiers. In each kit, a rosary, a prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes, a prayer to Saint Michael McGivney and a vial of Lourdes water.
Whether they are veterans or in service, 175 American soldiers thus left on a pilgrimage to the grotto of Lourdes, near Pau, after two years of interruption due to the pandemic. The Warriors to Lourdes (WTL) “Military in Lourdes” program, accompanied by the Knights of Columbus, allows American soldiers, whether wounded or not, to pray to Our Lady of Lourdes each year. The American soldiers joined the other pilgrims of the International Military Pilgrimage of Lourdes, created after the Second World War. They were thus more than 10,000 soldiers of 42 different nationalities to gather around the Virgin this year.
Tamino Petelinšek Knights of Columbus
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Peace be with you
A Ukrainian delegation, consisting of six serving soldiers, four mothers of fallen soldiers, two military chaplains and a military bishop, was also present. “The theme of the pilgrimage of the Soldiers of Lourdes this year is “Pacem Meam do Vobis” (Peace be with you). During this devastating time of war in Ukraine, the Knights of Columbus worked to bring peace and comfort to Ukrainian families and military personnel,” said Patrick Kelly, one of the delegation members. “And we are honored to have Ukrainian soldiers joining us again in Lourdes. Together, especially through the prayer of Our Lady of Lourdes, we want to bring about more healing, unity and hope for all those affected by this tragedy. »
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