Pope Francis sent a message of support to the annual convention of the Knights of Columbus held this week in Quebec, Canada, expressing his “deep gratitude” to the Catholic fraternal group for its “concrete testimony to the faith that works through the love”.
In the lettersent on behalf of the Pope by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy Father affirms that the issue for the this year’s convention of the Knights, “On Mission,” is close to his heart and is a good reminder that every Christian is called to be a missionary “to the extent that he or she has found the love of God in Christ Jesus.”
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The men’s charitable group, founded by priest Blessed Michael McGivney, “from its origins, has devoted great attention to the formation of its members as men of faith and family,” the Pope added.
“Throughout generations, the Knights have worked to strengthen family life through programs of catechism and spiritual growth, have borne public witness to the centrality of the family as a fundamental cell of society, and have supported a variety of of initiatives to support families in their indispensable social and educational mission,” he continued, mentioning in a special way the “Cor” initiative of the Knights, intended to deepen the faith of Catholic men.
“This historic commitment has included a particular concern for transmitting the faith to new generations, instilling solid values and accompanying young people in their growth towards maturity as men and women of integrity, wisdom and at the service of the communities in which they live” , said Pope Francis.
Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly advertisement at the meeting that the organization, which now has more than 2 million members worldwide, spent more than 47 million hours “serving and sacrificing for the good of others” and set a new record for charitable giving last year. passed with 190 million US dollars.
“Along with the charitable activities of its local councils around the world, your Order continues to provide exceptional support and encouragement to efforts to defend God’s gift of life at every stage of its development, to defend the dignity of the institution of marriage and to promote the mission of the Church in developing countries,” wrote Pope Francis.
Furthermore, he also praised the Knights’ efforts to rebuild and restore Christian communities in the Middle East devastated by persecution, as well as efforts to Help the poor affected by the war in Ukraine. Earlier this year, the Knights reported raising $22 million and delivering £7.7 million in supplies to victims of the ongoing war.
He also mentioned the group’s “impressive testimony” to faith in Christ through its recent promotion of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimagea US-wide effort from May to July to walk a collective 6,500 miles (more than 10,460 kilometers) with the Eucharist and invite tens of thousands of Catholics to participate along the way.
The pilgrimage culminated in the National Eucharistic Congress from Indianapolis, in mid-July.
Pope Francis also noted that restoration of the historic canopy that sits above the altar of St. Peter’s Basilica is underway, funded by the Knights of Columbus. The restoration of the canopy is being carried out to coincide with the start of the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025.
“His Holiness prays that the graces of the Holy Year may be poured out in abundance upon the Knights and their families as they strive to fulfill their baptismal mission of being a leaven of peace and holiness in our human family, tired of war and longing for peace.” that only Christ can give,” the Pope wrote.
The Pontiff concluded by entrusting the Knights to the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and added that he “cordially imparts to the Knights and their families his blessing as a pledge of joy and peace in the Lord.”
The 142nd Supreme Convention of the Knights concluded today with a Mass and a final business session.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.
Jonah McKeown
Jonah McKeown is a writer and podcast producer for Catholic News Agency. He has a master’s degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has worked as a writer, radio producer and videographer.