In partnership with the Archdiocese for Military Services U.S.A., the Knights of Columbus provides the opportunity and means for our non wounded, wounded, ill and injured U.S. warriors to participate in the Warriors to Lourdes pilgrimage for a period of prayer and spiritual guidance.

The Knights of Columbus accompany and support our warriors and their families throughout the course of the pilgrimage which occurs during the annual International Military Pilgrimage (PMI) in Lourdes, France.

Every $3,000 raised sends a warrior to Lourdes.

Click here to learn more about Warriors to Lourdes.

Pilgrims have been walking El Camino de Santiago, The Way of St James, to Santiago de Compostella Cathedral for hundreds of years. The pilgrimage route had a resurgence of popularity starting in the 1970's. Thousands of pilgrims walk The Way every year, though many for "only" 100 miles. Only 6% of pilgrims choose to ride The Way, and even fewer start at St-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France, a ride of about 500 miles.

Sir Knight Gene Suchyta came up with the idea riding Camino Francés (The Way starting in France) as a fundraiser for Warriors to Lourdes prior to the Covid epidemic. That and other commitments kept him from making the ride until now.

Every penny you choose to donate helps send someone in need of healing to Lourdes. And there are no administrative costs, either (the Knights of Columbus take care of that). There are two easy ways to make a donation in recognition of the ride to honor a warrior:

1. Click here to make a donation to the Knights of Columbus Warriors to Lourdes fund. Gene's ask is that you click on the box that says Dedicate my donation in honor or in memory of someone, click the In Honor Of... circle, and then enter WTL 2026 Charity Ride in the box that says Honoree's Name.
2. You can send a check to:
   Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc.
   P.O. Box 382154
   Pittsburgh, PA 15251-8154
   On the check's memo line: Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage Fund.
   Also, please include a note or letter saying the donation is in honor the WTL 2026 Charity Ride.

Again, 100% of your donation goes to support sending a Warrior to Lourdes for physical, mental and spiritual healing.

The ride will end at the Cathedral of St. James in Santiago de Compostela. Every pilgrimage should be a journey of prayer, discovery and learning, ultimately getting us closer to God.

Many pilgrims have special intentions while on pilgrimage, either offering the pilgrimage to receive answers for an intention for others or oneself or taking a pilgrimage of thanksgiving for intentions that have already been answered.

I would be honored to offer up prayer intentions for any who choose to send them to me. I will, of course, keep them confidential. You can send them to me at intentions@kofcmidistrict1.org. Note that I will not be responding to every email received, as that might get a bit overwhelming. Please have faith that I will deliver your intentions.