Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage - Online Application Open Now until 15 January 2025

In 2013, the Knights of Columbus partnered with the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, (AMS) to sponsor the annual "Warriors to Lourdes" Pilgrimage. Lt Col (Ret) William Villegas II, USAF, "Will" and his wife Michelle have been pilgrimage trip leaders for the past five years. "We have had vets from Vietnam, Post 911, Desert Storm, and Afghanistan," said Will. "I remember last year we had one young man suffering from PTSD who sat by himself and didn't speak at all on the way over to France. About all he did was shake his head and nod. We took him into the springs where he washed his face and hands in the clear water. I could see a change come over him. He smiled. When we got home, his wife called me."

"What happened over there?," she asked. "This isn't the same man who left. He talks to me now and spends time with the kids. Whatever you did --- thank you."

“We bring wounded and ill warriors carrying both the visible and invisible wounds of war, as well as those warriors with terminal illnesses, those with moral wounds to the soul, marital discord from years of service, or military sexual trauma, to beg Our Lady’s intercession,” said program organizer Col. Charles Gallina, USMC/Ret.

"We keep in touch with all our pilgrims," said Will Villegas. "They have a life-line with people who care and want to help."

Each prospective veteran pilgrim must apply to the Knights of Columbus in New Haven. For chosen military personnel and their caregiver, all expenses are covered by Knights of Columbus Charities Inc.

The 2025 Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage application process opens Sep 15, 2024 and closes Jan 15, 2025. Will and Michelle are happy to help with the application process. Contact Will Villegas, PGK, PDD, PFN at Cell: 702-279-9311 or by email: villefe4@outlook.com