According to the program's brochure, read on October 10, 2026, active-duty, recently retired, or separated U.S. military members of the post-9/11 era may apply, and so may companions, pre-9/11 veterans, and non-military volunteers. All expenses for approved military personnel, wounded or not, and for their designated caregivers are covered by Knights of Columbus Charities. Companions and volunteers pay their own way: $3,000 per person in a double room or $3,300 in a single from the United States, and $900 or $1,200 for those joining by bus from Kaiserslautern, Germany. Packages include travel, meals, lodging, and credentials for the military pilgrimage. Questions go to lourdes@kofc.org or 203-800-4857.
Good to know before you apply: the brochure states plainly that professional medical or nursing care is not provided, and that wounded, ill, or injured pilgrims must be able to manage daily living on their own or with an approved caregiver.
The International Military Pilgrimage itself, known by its French initials PMI, is an annual gathering of soldiers, veterans, families, and chaplains at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes to pray for peace. It grew out of the reconciliation of French and German soldiers after the Second World War and is held each May; the Sanctuary's press material counted more than ten thousand participants from forty countries in 2022. Bold Pilgrim does not run either event and is not affiliated with them. A pilgrim who goes to Lourdes at another time of year prays at the same Grotto.