Warriors of Hope

July 1, 2025

Annual Lourdes pilgrimage invites U.S. service members and veterans to reflect on Jubilee 2025 theme and seek spiritual healing

By Columbia staff

July 1, 2025

Warriors to Lourdes pilgrims and other military personnel gather for Mass in the Lourdes Grotto — Warriors to Lourdes pilgrims and other military personnel gather for Mass in the Grotto below the majestic Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary on May 17. (Photo by Tamino Petelinšek)

More than 180 wounded, ill and injured U.S. military personnel participated in the annual Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage May 13-19, accompanied by family members, chaplains, support staff and a Fourth Degree honor guard.

This year’s pilgrimage, which coincided with the Jubilee Year 2025, invited participants to seek renewal and healing from wounds of war as they reflected on the pilgrimage theme “Soldiers, Pilgrims of Hope.” Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA — which co-sponsors Warriors to Lourdes with the Knights of Columbus — led the delegation.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio celebrates Massin the St. Joseph Chapel on May 15. — Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, elevates the chalice during Mass in the St. Joseph Chapel on May 15.

“A religious pilgrimage is a concrete reminder that life is a pilgrimage,” Archbishop Broglio said. “My hope is that these pilgrims return renewed, so that they bring with them the freshness of this experience into the ordinary activities of everyday life, which are always extraordinary because they’re graced by God.”

The Warriors to Lourdes pilgrimage coincides each spring with the International Military Pilgrimage, which draws around 14,000 military personnel from more than 40 countries to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. Pilgrims participate in Mass, the Stations of the Cross and a candlelight procession — while also taking part in military ceremonies and athletic competitions with representatives from other countries. They also have time for personal prayer and reflection, counseling, and the opportunity to be immersed in the waters of Lourdes.

Spiritual renewal, physical healing, moral support — each Warriors to Lourdes pilgrim carried a different hope for personal healing. Here we share a few of their stories, adapted from interviews conducted during the pilgrimage.

‘Our Lady Is Ready To Support Us’

U.S. Senior Airman Caleb Reichow receives the Eucharist — (Photo by Tamino Petelinšek)

U.S. Senior Airman Caleb Reichow just completed a four-year enlistment in the Air Force and transferred to the reserves. Now a seminarian for the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa, he is a member of St. Michael the Archangel Council 15969 at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo and St. Lorenzo Ruiz Assembly 3372 in Yokosuka, Japan.

“In a homily, Archbishop Broglio spoke of Our Lady as a warrior, to the extent that she entered into the darkness, she bore her sufferings, not only for Christ and for her vocation, but on behalf of the Church and the world, for the salvation of souls. It was very appealing to me as a military member, and it kicked off a new view for how I approach Our Lady in relationship. Each soul goes through moments of dryness in prayer and desolation, and it’s wonderful to know all the ways in which Our Lady is ready to support us.

“Something that caught my eye as we approached the grotto were military members in their blues [formal uniforms], kneeling on the ground. At first glance, you’re like, ‘Well, I don’t want to ruin my blues. I don’t want to get them dirty.’ But it really shows not only the devotion of Catholic military men and women, but their love for Our Lady and love for Our Lord, present in the Eucharist.

“It was wonderful seeing fellow service members seeking the Lord and striving to lay down their lives rooted in faith and serve their countries as Catholic men and women.”

Learning From Our Veterans

Midshipman David Farrell (foreground, left) is a rising junior at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and grand knight of Commodore John Barry Council 14534. He was among 12 midshipmen sponsored by the Knights of Columbus to participate in Warriors to Lourdes this year.

“Our job here on this pilgrimage is to receive spiritual healing for ourselves, but also to assist pilgrims. Many of the wounded warriors may need their wheelchairs pushed or luggage carried, and we can provide that service.

“We may not have the same wounds that other pilgrims have on this trip, but we’re training to be officers, and we want to learn about these wounds and how to deal with them. As they say, it’s not if, it’s when — and bad things do happen.

“It’s also really important to lend an ear to the stories and the knowledge that our veterans can impart to us. We’re the youngest generation in the military, and to be able to connect with older generations is really important to us, but also to them. We can provide them hope that the rest of the military is in good hands for the future, and they can provide us with plenty of experience to use in our careers.”

‘Go to Lourdes’

Jennifer Gonzales and her husband,Carlos, with their sons, Pablo and Alex — (Photo by Tamino Petelinšek)

Jennifer Gonzales and her husband, Carlos, are both U.S. Army veterans who served in Iraq from 2005-2006. Both have experienced mental and physical wounds from deployment and found healing after converting to Catholicism. Jennifer felt compelled to participate in Warrior to Lourdes after Carlos was recently diagnosed with a progressive brain disorder; they were accompanied by their sons, Pablo and Alex.

“A few years ago, I learned about Warriors to Lourdes, but I didn’t apply at first. But in November, my husband received a progressive diagnosis, and I knew we had to apply. The Lord just spoke to my heart and said, ‘Go to Lourdes.’

“The healing has been tremendous. When you are in a certain part of your spiritual journey, you can think you have it mostly figured out. Then you come on a pilgrimage like this and discover wounds you thought were closed but still need to heal. God opens them up.

“I’ve been out of the service for a while, and it was good to talk about military experiences with other veterans. I had many very special and deep conversations; a lot of wounds reopened, but there was healing in the talking.

“Everyone has been open to our boys, accepting them and letting them participate; my mom heart is just full. What we went through, how we served — it’s been great to have them be a part of that so they can see what mom and dad used to do, versus what we do now.

“I tried to come in with an open heart, and I’ve been praying to grow closer to the Blessed Mother. I wasn’t expecting what I received during the opening procession — a closeness to her, veiling me and giving me peace.”

A Disarming Atmosphere

Maria and Chris Froelich — (Photo by Tamino Petelinšek)

U.S. Army Capt. Maria Froelich participated in the Warriors to Lourdes pilgrimage with her husband, Chris, a retired major in the U.S. Army and a member of Father Larry Endrizzi Council 6918 in Thomson, Georgia. The couple has been married for more than two years and went to Lourdes searching for clarity and healing in their challenging journey with infertility.

“Coming here, we had our walls up. But it’s beautiful how the itinerary schedules the baths for the first day; it’s almost like a dam breaking through whatever wall one has up, so you’re prepared for the rest of the pilgrimage.

“On the walk over from the hotel, one of the priests said, ‘If your ego gets in the way of receiving healing, you’re going to leave with nothing. And so, the choice is yours.’ At first, I was really anxious about it, but as soon as I walked in, it was very disarming.

“The atmosphere at the baths was very maternal. You’re surrounded by these sweet Italian mothers and grandmothers. They had us wash our face and hands and consume the water. It was like reliving how St. Bernadette did what the Blessed Mother told her to do.

“Water is so tangible; it can heal your spirit just by consuming it through your body. It goes to show how the body and soul are connected.”

Snell Essay Alamy 2CG1KJD-sRGB-small.jpg

Warriors of Hope

‘Our Lady Is Ready To Support Us’

Learning From Our Veterans

‘Go to Lourdes’

A Disarming Atmosphere

Related Articles

Patriotism

Charity and Truth in the Public Square

Charity and Truth in the Public Square

Patriotism

A Fraternity of Arms

A Fraternity of Arms

Patriotism

A Celebration of Catholic Patriotism

A Celebration of Catholic Patriotism

Patriotism

‘These Veterans Are My Brothers’

‘These Veterans Are My Brothers’

Patriotism

In Honor of Fallen Brothers

In Honor of Fallen Brothers

Patriotism

Battle Ready

Battle Ready

Patriotism

Courage at Ia Drang

Courage at Ia Drang

Patriotism

The Power of Lourdes

The Power of Lourdes