Deepertruth: These Men They Call Knights

These Men They Call Knights: 

Beatification of Father McGivney to take place Oct. 31 in Connecticut   - October 23, 20200 1563

HARTFORD, Conn.  — Father Michael McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus, will be beatified during a special Mass Oct. 31 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. Father McGivney portrait by Chas Fagen, 2016. Edited image.

On May 27, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis, who met with the board of directors of the Knights of Columbus in February, had signed the decree recognizing a miracle through the intercession of Father McGivney, clearing the way for his beatification. Once he is beatified, he will be given the title “Blessed.”

From the moment of our founding in 1882, charity has been the first principle of the Knights of Columbus. We are men of faith and men of action.

“A Knight is a leader who stands in the breach. We defend the faith. We protect the family. And when a need arises, we rise to meet it — with charity, unity and fraternity.”

During 2012, in addition to raising and donating more than $167.5 million to charitable needs and projects, Knights volunteered more than 70 million hours of their time to charitable causes. These figures represent an increase of 6% and .1% respectively over 2011 figures. We undertake these acts of charity because we see those in need through the eyes of faith. Moreover, in the Knights of Columbus, we approach these acts of charity together. Pope Benedict XVI calls this the “practice of love…as a community.”