Every year, thousands of pilgrims walk miles through the desert to reach a small adobe church in northern New Mexico—El Santuario de Chimayó.

Known as the “Lourdes of America,” this sacred place has drawn the faithful for generations seeking healing, repentance, and hope. Inside, a small room holds what many believe to be miraculous earth—taken in faith by those carrying burdens they cannot bear alone.

In this episode of Regiment of the Cross, we explore the history, the pilgrimage, and the deeper question:
What are people really carrying when they walk to Chimayó?

#Catholic #Faith #Pilgrimage #Chimayo #Healing #Veterans #RegimentoftheCross

We spend a lot of time talking about how we prepare our service members for war.

We don’t spend enough time talking about how we help them heal afterward.

Through Warriors to Lourdes, wounded veterans travel to Lourdes, France seeking something many struggle to find back home — peace.

This pilgrimage is about more than the individual.
When a veteran carries unseen wounds, their family carries them too.

Programs like this remind us that healing is not just possible — it’s necessary.

A powerful story of forgiveness and compassion in the face of death.

Takeaways

• Forgiveness in the face of adversity
• The power of compassion and grace

Chapters

• 00:00 The Act of Forgiveness and Compassion

Every year, wounded American warriors travel to Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in Lourdes, France seeking something the battlefield could not give — healing.

In this episode of Regiment of the Cross, we explore the powerful mission of Warriors to Lourdes, a pilgrimage that brings injured veterans and active-duty service members face-to-face with faith, brotherhood, and hope.

For many who carry the invisible wounds of war — PTSD, moral injury, and loss of purpose — Lourdes becomes more than a destination. It becomes a turning point.

This conversation dives into:

• What Warriors to Lourdes is and why it exists
• Why Lourdes has been a place of healing for over a century
• The International Military Pilgrimage and global brotherhood
• How faith helps heal the wounds of combat
• Real transformation stories from wounded warriors

Hosted by a Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, Regiment of the Cross is a podcast for veterans, military, first responders, and their families — those seeking meaning, structure, and brotherhood after service.

👉 If this message resonates with you, subscribe and join the Regiment.

#Veterans #WarriorsToLourdes #Catholic #MilitaryFaith #VeteranHealing #FaithAndService #Lourdes #ChristianVeterans #MilitaryPodcast

Before preparing to serve his country, Roman Carbajal chose to walk one of the most ancient pilgrimages in the world — the Camino de Santiago.

For centuries, pilgrims have traveled this historic route across Spain searching for faith, purpose, and transformation. At just 18 years old and preparing to enter ROTC, Roman set out on this journey to challenge himself physically, spiritually, and mentally.

In this episode of Regiment of the Cross, Roman shares what it was like to walk the Camino, the struggles he faced along the way, the beauty of Spain, and the spiritual lessons he discovered during the pilgrimage.

We discuss:

• What the Camino de Santiago is
• The physical and spiritual challenges of the journey
• Faith, prayer, and attending Mass along the Camino
• What cross Roman carried during his pilgrimage
• How the Camino prepared him for leadership and service

Sometimes the road that prepares a man for service begins with a pilgrimage.

Roman Carbajal discusses his journey of seeking spiritual growth and personal development through physical challenges and the transformative experience of the Camino.

Takeaways

• Seeking growth through challenges
• Isolation and reliance on spirituality

Chapters

• 00:00 Seeking Spiritual Growth

his episode reflects on the profound impact of The Passion of the Christ and how it shaped my understanding of Holy Week and the sacrifice of Christ. For many Christians, the film brought the reality of the Crucifixion into sharp focus and deepened the spiritual meaning of Easter.

I share personal reflections on how the film influenced my faith and how it continues to serve as a powerful meditation during Holy Week.

The conversation also explores leadership and pastoral care in the military, including the recent policy encouraging military chaplains to minimize visible rank. While rank is an important part of military structure, the intent behind this policy is to make chaplains more approachable—especially for young soldiers who may feel intimidated seeking help from a senior officer.

This Holy Week reflection ties together faith, sacrifice, and service, examining how the message of the Cross continues to resonate in the lives of soldiers, veterans, and anyone searching for meaning during the most sacred week of the Christian calendar.

What happens when military veterans return home and feel called to the land?

In this episode of Regiment of the Cross, we explore Armed to Farm, a nationally recognized training program that helps military veterans transition into careers in agriculture. Created by the National Center for Appropriate Technology, this program provides hands-on instruction, mentorship, and resources to help veterans build sustainable farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses.

For many veterans, farming becomes more than a job — it becomes a path toward purpose, healing, and community.

We discuss how the program works, what veterans can expect from the training, and how agriculture is helping former service members reconnect with the land while building a new mission after military service.

Whether you're a veteran considering agriculture, a supporter of veteran programs, or simply curious about the powerful connection between faith, service, and the land, this conversation will inspire you.

If you're a veteran interested in agriculture, this episode may open a door you didn't know existed.

Learn more about the program here:
https://www.armedtofarm.org

Topics Covered

• Transitioning from military service to farming
• The mission and structure of the Armed to Farm program
• Veteran agriculture training opportunities
• Building community through farming
• Agriculture as a path to healing and purpose

About Regiment of the Cross

Regiment of the Cross is a podcast dedicated to veterans, first responders, and their families — sharing stories of faith, resilience, service, and purpose after the uniform.

You are not alone.

Subscribe for more conversations with veterans, leaders, and people living a mission-driven life.

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