1970 to 1972 International Military Pilgrimage Lourdes France Commemorative Pin

Description: Nice vintage Piece dating to 1970 1971 and 1972 as per online research. Lourdes is a town in southwestern France, in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. It’s known for the Sanctuaires Notre-Dame de Lourdes, or the Domain, a major Catholic pilgrimage site. Each year, millions visit the Grotto of Massabielle (Grotto of the Apparitions) where, in 1858, the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to a local woman. (Google)The International Military Pilgrimage (PMI) was born out of one of the most traumatic events of the 20th century: the Second World War. During World War II, members of the French military visited the site of St. Bernadette’s apparitions, offering prayers for peace. Little by little, German soldiers, among them internees from nearby prison camps, joined them. In December of 1944, U.S. military personnel joined British, Belgian, French, and Russian military representatives for a Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. In 1945 after the end of the war, the first military pilgrimages were organized to re-establish an understanding between two broken armies: French soldiers and their chaplains invited German soldiers and their chaplains to gather to pray together. The purpose of this initiative was to heal physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds and to reconcile the past between these former adversaries by recognizing their common identity as Christians in search of peace. The first official PMI was celebrated in 1958—13 years after the war and one-hundred years after the apparitions. German and French chaplains invited soldiers from all over the world to Lourdes for a few days, to celebrate fraternity and peace in this most holiest of places. Today, the PMI continues to take place for one weekend each May, drawing active-duty members and veterans from over 40 nations. (Warriors to Lourdes website) Measures approximately 1 3/4" by 1 1/2". Excellent vintage condition as shown. See photos. Orders ship from Watertown, NY on the first Wednesday after payment. Delivery is normally 2-4 working days later.

Price: 79.99 USD

Location: Kingston, Ontario

End Time: 2025-02-01T01:47:10.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD