Who Is Eligible
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
Each category of eligibility is outlined here below. Please note that while expenses are covered for selected warrior pilgrims and their designated caregivers, it is not the case for their companions, pre-9/11 veterans and non military-affiliated volunteers. Exceptions may apply.
SICK, ILL OR INJURED MILITARY PERSONNEL
Includes sick, ill or injured individuals serving on active duty, honorably discharged, separated or retired from the United States Military (priority given to post-9/11 era). This category includes individuals suffering from PTSD, Moral Injury, and Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Since all pilgrims will lodge in hotels, sick, ill or injured warriors must be able to perform all "activities of daily living" either alone or with the assistance of their designated caregiver. Applicants and their clinical providers should anticipate that professional medical or nursing services, including hospitalization, will be limited during the pilgrimage. EACH sick, ill, or injured individual must complete and submit the full application to include the sick, ill, or injured signed medical annex with physician signature.
NON-SICK, NON-ILL OR NON-INJURED MILITARY PERSONNEL
Includes non-sick, non-ill or non-injured individuals serving on active duty, honorably discharged, separated or retired from the United States Military (priority to post-9/11 era). EACH non-sick, non-ill, or non-injured applicant must complete and submit a separate application to include the appropriate signed medical annex.
DESIGNATED CAREGIVER
Designated Caregivers, as defined by the VA and Military Services, include healthcare providers, spouses, adult relatives, significant others or friends who serve as a *certified designated caregiver for a sick, ill or injured warrior. Services caregivers provide may include, but are not limited to, assistance with activities of daily living (i.e., personal hygiene, dressing, sitting, standing, feeding, bathing, etc.), ensuring the correct dose and timing of prescribed medications and/or providing supervision to ensure the safety of the warrior. A designated caregiver must be in good health, capable of sitting and/or standing in place for extended periods, capable of walking long distances (up and down stairs, hills and on uneven surfaces) and cannot have physical limitations that will prevent them from properly assisting the pilgrim. Designated caregivers should anticipate that professional medical or nursing services, including hospitalization, will be limited during the pilgrimage.
*A copy of your VA or Military Certification documentation must be included with your application.
ADULT COMPANION
Includes non-military spouses, adult relatives, significant others or friends serving as a travel and pilgrimage companion for a military pilgrim. A companion is NOT considered a designated caregiver. EACH companion must complete and submit a separate application to include the appropriate signed medical annex.
CHILD COMPANION
Includes child relatives under the age of 18 serving as a travel and pilgrimage companion for a military pilgrim. EACH child companion must complete or have completed and submit a separate application to include the appropriate signed medical annex.
VOLUNTEER
Includes any individual (including pre-9/11 era veterans) over the age of 14 who wishes to volunteer to physically support the movement and general care of warrior pilgrims as assigned by the Leadership Team for the Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage. A Volunteer must be in good health, capable of sitting and/or standing in place for extended periods, capable of walking long distances (up and down stairs, hills and on uneven surfaces) and pushing a wheelchair. Volunteers cannot have physical limitations that will prevent them from properly assisting our warrior pilgrims. EACH volunteer must complete and submit a separate application to include appropriate signed medical annex.
CHAPLAIN/DEACON
Includes both military (active, retired, discharged) and non-military Chaplains or Deacons who wish to attend and provide spiritual assistance for pilgrims. Non-active duty Chaplains will require a letter of good standing from their diocese or religious governing body.
Step 1 Apply
The Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage will take place 13-19 May, 2025 during the 65th International Military Pilgrimage 16-18 May 2025.
Applications for the 2025 Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage are now available. The application deadline is January 15, 2025. APPLY NOW
Step 2 Forms
As part of your application you will be asked to complete one or more of the following medical forms based on your application type. Please note that part of this form should be completed by the applicant while part of the form must be completed and signed by a medical provider familiar with the applicant.
We encourage each applicant to complete these fillable PDFs on a computer and then upload to your online application. If that is not possible, you can print these forms and complete legibly and scan and upload as a PDF to your application. If you have difficulty uploading to your application, you may send as an attachment to lourdes@kofc.org and support staff will attach to your application.
SICK, ILL OR INJURED MILITARY PERSONNEL
HEALTH PROVIDER FORM - SICK, ILL AND INJURED ONLY
All Sick, Ill or Injured applicants must complete this medical annex about their current medical condition(s). The first part is completed by the applicant; a medical professional that is knowledgeable of the applicant’s current medical status and treatment should complete and sign the second part of this form.
NON-SICK, NON-ILL OR NON-INJURED MILITARY PERSONNEL
HEALTH PROVIDER FORM - NON-SICK, NON-ILL AND NON-INJURED ONLY
All non-sick, non-ill or non-injured applicants must complete this medical annex about their current medical condition(s). The first part is completed by the applicant; a medical professional that is knowledgeable of the applicant’s current medical status and treatment should complete and sign the second part of this form.
DESIGNATED CAREGIVER
HEALTH PROVIDER FORM- NON-SICK, NON-ILL AND NON-INJURED ONLY
All Designated Caregiver applicants must complete this medical annex about their current medical condition(s). The first part is completed by the applicant; a medical professional that is knowledgeable of the applicant’s current medical status and treatment should complete and sign the second part of this form.
MEDICAL ANNEX PART B - DESIGNATED CAREGIVERS ONLY
All Designated Caregiver applicants must complete this medical about the level of care they provide for their wounded, ill or injured military applicant.
COMPANIONS, VOLUNTEERS, CHAPLAINS
HEALTH PROVIDER FORM - NON-WOUNDED
All companions, volunteers and Chaplain applicants must complete this medical annex about their current medical condition(s). The first part is completed by the applicant; a medical professional that is knowledgeable of the applicant’s current medical status and treatment should complete and sign the second part of this form.
Step 3 Endorsement
ENDORSEMENT LETTER
A complete application must include a letter of endorsement from a Chaplain or Spiritual Leader. This letter must include:
* Date of the endorsement and the applicant’s full name.
* The length and type of relationship with the applicant (unit chaplain, pastor, rabbi, friend, etc.) and an assessment of the applicant’s spiritual motivation to participate in all Lourdes pilgrimage activities during the May 2025 pilgrimage to Lourdes.
* The endorser’s original signature and contact information (i.e., email/address/telephone number).
* If an applicant is requesting financial aid for himself and/or his companion(s), the endorsement letter must make note of this request and specify the need.
* The endorsement letter can be uploaded directly to the application. However, if endorser prefers to keep his or her letter private, he or she may scan and email it to Lourdes@kofc.org or seal and send via mail to:
Knights of Columbus
Attn: AMS-KOFC Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage
1 Columbus Plaza
PO Box 1966
New Haven, CT
06509-1966
Step 4 Payment
PAYMENT
Please note that all VOLUNTEERS should make their payment prior to the application deadline of January 15th. Once a volunteer application has been submitted and reviewed the VOLUNTEER will receive an email with payment instructions. For all other applicants, payments will be due by March 15th, pending your selection to attend the Pilgrimage. While expenses for MILITARY PILGRIMS and their DESIGNATED CAREGIVERS are covered by Knights of Columbus Charities, you may be notified in mid-February if any payments are due in the event that you have selected to be lodged in a single room or are bringing any travel COMPANIONS that are not eligible for coverage.
Step 5 Confirmation
NOTIFICATION PROCESS
The following is a timeline of email communications from the Warriors to Lourdes Leadership Team you can expect to receive between your application submission and, if accepted, your departure date for Lourdes.
15-20 FEB: ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATION & PMI HISTORY
You’ll receive an email notification within these 5 days detailing your acceptance status. If you are accepted to attend the 2025 pilgrimage, you will also receive a short history of Lourdes and the PMI as well as the materials listed below on their respective dates of delivery.
15-20 MAR: WELCOME LETTERS & GUIDE TO CATHOLIC PRAYER
Within these 5 days, you’ll receive letters of welcome from Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for Military Services and from Patrick E. Kelly, the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus. You’ll also receive a link to the booklet “Mary: How Catholics Pray.”
1-5 APR: TRAVEL TIPS AND WARRIORS TO LOURDES SCHEDULE
Within these 5 days, you’ll receive a travel security notice, a suggested packing list and the pilgrimage dress code, tips for international travel and the official Warriors to Lourdes pilgrimage schedule.
25-30 APR: FLIGHT CONFIRMATION & CONTACT INFO
Within these 5 days you’ll receive your flight confirmation details (if applicable) and a list outlining all important contact info.