Patrick Kelly, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, delivers his first Supreme Knight’s Report during the organization’s 139th Annual Convention, Aug. 3, 2021. Credit: Knights of Columbus/screenshot.
Hartford, Conn., Aug 3, 2021 / 19:55 pm (CNA).
Patrick Kelly, the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, highlighted the group’s charitable work amid the COVID-19 pandemic, announced plans to support faith formation initiatives, and lauded the group’s newly-beatified founder in a speech Tuesday.
“Make no mistake: Now is a time for Knights. The past 18 months have amplified old challenges and given rise to new ones. They face our families, our faith, and our culture as a whole,” Kelly said during the Aug. 3 virtual address.
Being a Knight means “a life of faith in action, a life of boldness in brotherhood, a life worth living. Catholic men are looking for nothing less. In the Knights of Columbus, they will find it,” Kelly said.
The Knights of Columbus, the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization, has over 2 million members in 16,000 councils worldwide. The order was founded in 1882 by a Connecticut parish priest, Blessed Michael McGivney. Initially, the organization was intended to assist widows and their families upon the deaths of their husbands.
Fr. McGivney was beatified Oct. 31, with Pope Francis praising his “zeal for the proclamation of the Gospel” which “made him an outstanding witness of Christian solidarity and fraternal assistance.”
“These words are a powerful validation of our Founder’s vision and of our own work. They remind us that Father McGivney’s life is an inspiration to the Church and to the world,” Kelly commented.
Kelly’s speech follows the opening Mass of the Knights’ 139th annual convention, held at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, where Blessed McGivney is buried. The Knights normally convene in-person each year, but 2021 marks the second year in a row that the meeting has been held virtually.
Kelly succeeded Carl Anderson as Supreme Knight in March. The new Supreme Knight praised his predecessor’s leadership, noting that in Anderson’s 20 years of leadership, the group gained more than 400,000 members, charitable donations rose by more than 60%, and the order expanded to Europe and mainland Asia.
Kelly pointed to Pope Francis’ declaration of a Year of St. Joseph, and highlighted the pope’s call to imitate the “creative courage” of Christ’s foster father.
“In St. Joseph, we see our mission and mandate. Guard the family. Guard the truth. He led through service and creative courage. So must we. It is the only way to overcome the hurdles facing our families, the Church and our culture,” he said.
Kelly announced that the Knights will, this fall, debut on network TV a documentary on St. Joseph, which he said will explore why St. Joseph is the ideal model for Catholic men.
In particular, Kelly lauded St. Joseph in his role as “Guardian of the Truth”— in his case, guardian of The Truth Himself, Jesus Christ.
“We, too, must defend this truth,” Kelly said.
“We live in a time of bigotry and intolerance. Key truths — about life, marriage, the nature of the family, and the meaning of freedom — are increasingly denied and even vilified. Yet, this makes our commitment to truth all the more important. Now is the time to inspire our fellow Catholics to stand for what’s right. St. Joseph is our guide. Let us pray for his intercession. And let us make his creative courage our own, for the sake of the family, and the truth.”
Kelly said the Knights will continue to be a sign of unity by standing for the truth.
“I have long admired the Order’s impact on men. As a Navy JAG officer for many years, I saw young men who had the courage to serve their country, but who nonetheless made poor decisions and got into trouble. My job was to represent them at courts-martial. Many lacked strong families or strong father figures. And too few had a living and real faith. This made a lasting impression on me and I came to appreciate that one of the best things about the Knights is that we can help fill this void.”
Kelly said that the truth is grounded in the Eucharist, and said the Knights are called to have a special reverence for the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Kelly announced that the Knights are and will continue to be major sponsors of the US bishops’ planned Eucharistic revival, set to take place over the next few years.
“As supreme knight, I will prioritize new initiatives to strengthen the faith of men, and the faith of our families. I firmly believe that, more and more, our success as an Order will be judged by this standard,” he said.
“Our growth depends on empowering men to be the husbands and fathers that God wants us to be. It is harder than ever, and for that reason, we must push forward as never before. It will require creative courage.”
In the past year, the Knights have provided more than $150 million in donations and more than 47 million hours of hands-on volunteer service, he said.
Some notable charitable projects include support for Special Olympics, scholarships for seminarians, and funds to rebuild churches in the Middle East and other aid for persecuted Christians both there and in countries like Nigeria.
In addition to financial aid, the Knights of Columbus have in the past advocated for persecuted Christians before the U.S. government, sending researchers to Iraq in 2016 to compile a 300-page report on the crimes of the Islamic State against Christians in the country.
The Knights announced a new initiative in mid-2020 to report on Christian persecution in Nigeria, where at least 60,000 Christians have been killed in the past two decades. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation and the demographics overall are almost evenly split between Christians and Muslims.
The Knights are also working on a shrine to St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Gallup, New Mexico, and in July, Knights in South Dakota led a pilgrimage to the burial site of Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk, a revered Lakota medicine man and Catholic.
In discussing the Knights’ charitable work, Kelly focused strongly on the Knights’ response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“This was not our first pandemic. Father McGivney died during a pandemic less than a decade after our founding. A century ago, the Knights of Columbus confronted the Spanish Flu and emerged even stronger,” Kelly noted.
“This pandemic will be no different. Our duty was clear from the start. When loss and suffering struck our parishes and communities, the Knights responded, with service and sacrifice.”
In sum, Knights donated nearly $7.7 million to community and parish projects, Kelly said, as well as 1.2 million pounds of food, and almost a quarter million pints of blood. Through the Knights’ life insurance programs, the organization paid more than $524 million in death benefits, of which approximately $35 million was related to COVID.
Kelly highlighted several projects undertaken by local chapters during the pandemic, including donations to the Little Sisters of the Poor, and donations of truckloads of food worth more than $335,000 to the Acoma, Navajo, and Zuni nations in New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.
He also highlighted the Knights’ pro-life activities, including sponsoring numerous Marches for Life across North America. Kelly also highlighted the Knights’ Ultrasound Initiative, which since 2009 has placed more than 1,400 ultrasound machines in pregnancy resource centers.
In terms of policy goals, Kelly reiterated the Knights’ strong support for the Hyde Amendment, federal policy since 1976 that prohibits funding of most elective abortions in Medicaid. This summer, the appropriations committee of the US House of Representatives advanced a funding bill without including the usual prohibitions on abortion funding.
At the time, Kelly called the elimination of Hyde “an extreme measure” that “is not what most Americans want and is out of step with our democracy. We urge Congress to preserve provisions like the bipartisan Hyde Amendment that ban the use of taxpayer funding for abortions and affirm the desire of the American public.”
Kelly also urged prayers for a favorable decision in an upcoming Supreme Court case over Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban, which if allowed to come into force could open the door for states to ban abortion before the age of viability.
The Knights’ life insurance program has $116 billion in life insurance in force. Its asset advisors program provides Catholic social teaching-compliant investment services to individuals and institutions and manages over $26 billion in assets.
In 2019, the organization launched the Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund, whereby donors can set aside money to benefit charities aligned with Catholic teaching. Last year, the Charitable Fund enabled donors to grant more than $1.9 million to charities around the world.
Kelly urged all Knights to pray for Blessed McGivney’s intercession. He also urged prayers to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and of the Knights.
The Knights’ virtual convention continues Wednesday, beginning with an awards session and culminating with a memorial Mass.
A message from Pope Francis, read during the opening Mass, included the pope’s gratitude for the Knights’ “unfailing support of our Christian brothers and sisters experiencing persecution for the sake of the Gospel,” as well as their “manifold charitable activities” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Well, at least the cardinal proposes that Catholics should “stand” for something…
And, now since “we all have benefited from the renewal of the Church ushered in by the Second Vatican Council”–and everyone and even the notorious Pelosi and Biden et al now files up for Communion as a prelude to coffee and donuts–why shouldn’t this be characterized as just another “procession?”
Talk about a cardinal “drawing attention to oneself…”
As a former member of the archdiocese the only comment i can make is “how dare you Cardinal” tell the faithful that they MUST stand receiving the Body Blood Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Apparently the cardinal does not believe bowing or kneeling before the King is appropriate, rather, stand there and just reach out your hands to receive Him. Seriously, this cardinal needs to be removed by the Pope while I pray that he comes to his senses and a true Catholic shepherd.
Didn’t someone once say, “Every knee shall bow”? . . . Oh, yes! St. Paul, but he was, no doubt, one of those rigid backwardists.
Es importante recibir la comunión de rodillas y en la boca y no de pie y no en la mano,las partículas que se desprenden contienen el cuerpo completo de nuestro Señor,el modernismo o la forma no implica ningún avance en la evangelización al contrario ,promueve una falta de respeto muy grave que recae en el sacerdote y en los fieles,y claro el que está impedido físicamente debe permanecer de pie pero no recibir en la mano la santa comunión este fondo es importante y no lo que bruscamente opine el sacerdote conciliar
That certainly won’t happen in this pontificate. The Pope only has his knives out for liturgical traditionalists.
Unfortunately, Cupich and Francis are of one mind in this.
Or lack therif!
Cardinal Cupich seems to have a need to make a pronouncement every once in a while to remind us he’s still around.
About processions and positions and such, the cardinal’s timing (Dec. 11) almost seems intended to distract American attention from further antics by the puppet masters in Rome, to improve the position, so to speak, of the LGBTQ lobby–with a Jubilee 2025 networking celebration of their own in the Church of the Gesu (also reported on Dec. 11):
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260989/organizers-and-supporters-reluctant-to-discuss-planned-lgbt-jubilee-day-in-rome
My lay comment is that this is not an outstanding comment if it’s in regards to kneeling. When I see someone kneel, which I’ve never seen take more than a few extra seconds for the able bodied, it does not appear to be drawing attention to the Communicant but to the Risen Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. (that person is not afraid to acknowledge the Savior)
Perhaps the most charitable response to reception of our beloved Jesus in Holy Communion is to follow his commandment – love God and love others. At a chapel I often attend, those who wish to receive Holy Communion while kneeling move to the front pews and kneel down signaling to the priest that there is a kneeling communion line, and the remainder of communicants form a communion line by standing. It seems to work, and honors both.
I can’t kneel due to knee issues, and I must choose to stand in line. At other churches, I’ve had several instances of almost toppling over the person in front of me as they unexpectedly kneel down. Since my knees are not the nimblest I’ve had to make a quick step back so as not to step on the kneeling person, causing me stress and pain in my knees and interrupting my prayer just before reception. Since I can’t kneel, it makes me embarrassed that others think I choose not to kneel since the person in front of me just did so (i.e., my depth of reverence is less than the one before me).
Again, there are many ways to show our deepest adoration of God, but we need to do so also being mindful of those around us. Surely, we can find a path that honors both.
Good points Sir, but don’t worry about what others think at this apex of the mass. As far as I’m concerned, they can dim the church lights and shine them only on the Eucharist reception area during communion.
The last will be first.
You don’t need to kneel because the person in front of you kneeled. It’s not being done to make a personal comment on you and the other communicants. In general, people aren’t paying as much attention to us as we imagine.
As far as the knee problems, quite a few people develop knee and/or back problems by the time they are middle-aged, and younger people who are active in sports or dance can have them too, so I would not feel too self-conscious about that. It’s a good idea to allow a little extra space in front of yourself when moving forward in a line.
When I find myself feeling self-conscious about what the people around me at Mass may be thinking about whatever I am doing–and those moments do happen– I remind myself to redirect my attention to the Lord and whether I am pleasing Him. Now, it could be that when you see someone kneeling before receiving the Eucharist, you feel inspired to make an extra sign of devotion too, although kneeling on the floor won’t work for you, so a reverent bow or slight genuflection is better. That is common at the Masses I attend.
When the hand to mouth option came along, we were taught to do as you said, bow as you near or genuflect, then step to the side, face the crucifix and eat the host, make the sign and move along.
The problem of people in front of you unexpectedly kneeling is a very good reason to provide kneelers. They aren’t particularly expensive, they allow people who are older or in poor health to kneel if they desire, and most churches already have them.
They also make it clear what the person is about to do so that the tendency to leave only a foot or less between the person ahead of you in a line is naturally reduced. You don’t have to think very hard to refrain from crowding a kneeler. It also clearly signals to everyone, priest included, that kneeling is going to happen, without the people who intend to kneel needing to remember to segregate themselves.
I’ve seen this done, and it seemed quite effective.
Of course he did. He’s a Protestant who obviously doesn’t believe in the Real Presence. God save us from wolves…..in wolves clothing.
In my youth in the 1950’s we knelt and received on the tongue from the priest’s consecrated hands. Belief in the real presence was near universal.
We now have what one priest commentator called “grab and go.” Belief in the real presence is less than 50%.
Actions have consequences.
Yes, especially the VII liturgical reform that Cardinal Cupich so endlessly idolizes.
Once again the diminutive Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago seized the opportunity to remind everyone of how truly insignificant he is in the grand scheme of things.
I’m just thinking about the insensitivity of current hierarchy figures pronouncing controversial statements during the Advent/Christmas season when people and families don’t need more stress but peace. It was also last year the Vatican came out with the homosexual blessing thing during this time. Come on! I wish they be more sensitive and consider their timing, they know what things are going to stir controversy.
I don’t understand the Cardinal’s argument
about not drawing attention to yourself or not impeding the flow of the procession.
In the local parishes I attend, some people kneel and some stand to receive Holy
Communion. So, where is the problem? It works smoothly this way. If I may speculate,
from what I observe, many who kneel are very devout and traditional – the very people the
Vatican targets. Could this be another attempt not only to wipe out the Latin Mass, but
any practice which has been associated with it?
Another fuhrerbefel from the windy city! Wonder how the Magi would feel, given that they did the right thing: They presented their gifts and knelt before Him in adoration!
The reform called for by Vatican II was to take place by everyone being more deeply educated about The Mass and other parts of the Church’s Liturgy. We have the education provided by Scripture, Tradition, and the Saints…and then everyone else all over the place. Teachings by JPII, Benedict XVI, Mother Teresa are obviously authentic, while this red-hat-wearing walks and “leads” in the way of the world, hostile to God.
It brings to mind the great words of Mother Angelica, speaking against another very worldly creature, when she said to the world, “My obedience in the diocese would be absolute zero,” (properly understood – “Do what they say, not what they do”).
She paid the price for her loyalty to our Saviour. But God Himself showed who spoke His Truth, and spoke for His Son authentically, sending the All Holy Virgin to perform the miracle of her healing before all the world.
He spoke very loudly, but few if any of our “leaders” listened.
Do what they say. But, as our Dear Savior continued, “…do NOT do what they do.”
They (may) receive the greater condemnation, teaching as doctrines the mere precepts of men…
I think this is the first salvo of the “liturgical reform” of “synodality” for a “participatory church” yada yada yada…. The closing document opened this door but left it undefined. I think Cupich is trying to fill in the lines. In other words, more Bugnini-type “liturgy from above” imposed as supposedly the will of the people and of the Spirit (with little evidence of either)
No priest or bishop can deny a person Communion if said person chooses to kneel. Roman Rite Catholics (should) have the option to do both, kneeling or standing. In the Byzantine Rite though, standing is the norm when receiving the Eucharist. Kneeling is gently discouraged. Some people might interpret it as Romans kneeling before the Cross, and Byzantines standing with the Risen Christ.
When in Byzantium, do as the Byzantines. When in Rome, do as the Romans. Standing is not our tradition, and while I always appreciate hearing and seeing what the other Churches do, I rather object to their traditions being used as an argument against ours. (I know you did not do this).
When meeting the Risen Christ, St. Mary Magdalen is typically portrayed (at least in the Latin tradition) as kneeling, often holding on to His feet. The meaning of kneeling is not restricted to penitential or sorrowful themes for us.
Cardinal Cupich long ago became a caricature of the sixties priest. Its a new century with ample ecclesial experience under our belts. Time to release youthful deceptions.
Jesus Christ is Lord and we provide Him all praise, honor, glory and joyful submission. No one with any faith or perception need provide any impediment.
Do you all realize how ironic Bishop Cupich’s Advent Declaration is? He castigates those who have the temerity to kneel while receiving the Body and Blood of Christ because by doing so they call attention to themselves. Yet, in Bishop Cupich’s Declaration he has done just that – called attention to himself. He always seems to stir the ecclesial pot with some stupid and unnecessary statement that gets him all the attention he seems to crave. I’d describe him as ‘puerile.’ Time for the episcopal nursing home.
Cardinal Cupich turned 75 earlier this year, and formally sent his mandatory letter of resignation to Pope Francis, so hopefully the Chicago archdiocese will have a better shepherd soon.
In our small parish (Liverpool diocese in England) almost one in ten choose to receive kneeling, and some more standing on the tongue, disturbance to the flow is negligible. Much more delay is caused by the two people who need low gluten hosts. I cause most problem because I currently have a balance problem and have to clutch the arm of someone else, delaying them and having to stand there while they receive. Also, as we have a narrow centre aisle obstructing the flow all the while I approach and return.
CLAPTRAP or Gobble-de-gook if you prefer!
Cupich is just another petty tyrant promoted way beyond his skill and abilities by a Pope hellbent on imposing his will on the “backwardist” and “rigid” Catholics.