Military veterans who have returned from combat in a foreign battle zone may come home with many types of scars – whether they are physical injuries, mental damage or even spiritual in nature.

The local Knights of Columbus chapter in Warwick is assuring that at least one wounded warrior will get the opportunity to seek peace and come to grips with whatever type of malady they suffer from thanks to a fundraising drive and commitment to a storied mission that emphasizes healing combat veterans.

The Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage is an annual trip co-sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Supreme and the Archdiocese for the Military Services, which seeks to bring military veterans from the American armed forces to Lourdes, France to take part in various Roman Catholic traditions and spiritual events, such as visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes cathedral and the Grotto.

Last year, the Warriors to Lourdes funded the journey for more than 200 American soldiers, joined by roughly 15,000 military personnel from more than 50 countries worldwide for the same purpose. The powerful experience is intended to provide a sense of peace and unity, and serves to strengthen faith and resolve in the minds of those who may be struggling from inner turmoil.

While the modern iteration of the pilgrimage dates back to Pope John Paul II, Catholic American soldiers have taken part in widespread pilgrimages to Lourdes since World War I.

The cost of sending one veteran to Lourdes is $2,900 for a single-occupancy room. If a veteran requires a caretaker to travel with them, the cost is $2,600. The cost covers airfare from the U.S. and within Europe, a week of food (three meals a day) and rooming accommodations, as well as various gifts.

The local Warwick Knights of Columbus chapter – St. Gregory the Great Council 12821 – decided to join the cause, and over Veterans Day weekend raised $2,700 (also offering to match the first $1,500). The total of $4,200 will ensure at least one veteran can be sent on the pilgrimage, but those organizing the local drive are hopeful they can get a nudge of support to send an additional soldier.

“I think the motivation is two-fold,” said Col. Joe Michels, a 28-year veteran of the U.S. Army who helped lead the local effort. “One, support for government and military is parts of the basics of Knights of Columbus in general … I think it’s a way of providing physical and potentially mental healing for military Catholics.”

Michels said the local Knights of Columbus chapter doesn’t have a say in who gets picked to go on the trip, but that preference is given to post-9/11 veterans who have been injured in combat. The pilgrimage will run from May 14-21.

Michels said that he was hopeful he could petition more support from the state Knights of Columbus chapter to rally support for the program, and said he believed the St. Gregory Chapter is the first chapter in Rhode Island to successfully raise enough funds to send a warrior to France.