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Religion

Faith Matters - Pilgrims' Progress - Soldiers at Lourdes

June 11, 2017

Lourdes in southwest France is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in the world. In May each year, thousands of military personnel from almost 50 countries flock to this Marian shrine. The pilgrims in uniform pray and sing - but they also find time to relax and make friends.

https://p.dw.com/p/2eT6O

Some 12,000 military personnel from almost 50 countries took part in the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes in southwest France this year. In 2018 the military pilgrimage will take place for the 60th time. This year the 750 Germans who participated included Protestants and even non-churchgoers. In an attempt to discover what Lourdes means to young people today, we accompanied the pilgrims in uniform to this remarkable shrine.