Beacons and Builders of Unity

July 1, 2025

Following the example of Blessed Michael McGivney, Knights are called to be witnesses of charity and reconciliation in Christ

By Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

July 1, 2025

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

Pope Leo XIV’s first words from the balcony of St. Peter’s were of peace and unity, and in his inaugural homily, the Holy Father spoke of love and unity as “two dimensions of the mission entrusted to Peter by Jesus.” In nearly every homily and speech since, he has challenged us to be beacons and builders of unity.

As Knights of Columbus, we take Pope Leo’s words to heart. After all, Blessed Michael McGivney founded our Order on the principle of unity. In 1883, he wrote, “Unity and charity is our motto. Unity in order to gain strength to be charitable to each other in benevolence.” Father William J. Slocum, a contemporary of Father McGivney, later described how our founder brought together the men of his parish. “His idea,” Father Slocum explained, “was to found an organization that would direct young men to work in harmony on lines laid out that would conform to the teachings and practice of the Church.”

Father McGivney not only taught the importance of unity; he demonstrated that the Church’s mission of evangelization hinges on that unity of faith brought about by the Holy Spirit. He reached out to the wider community and helped his Knights see that there is no charity without unity.

In a world disfigured by discord and conflict, it is now up to us to be unifiers. But how can we help heal the wounds of sin and division? How can we, in Pope Leo’s words, help make the Church “a sign of unity and communion which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world”? As a fraternal organization of more than 2 million members, we can do much to build unity — beginning with our local councils, parishes and communities.

First, we need to pray. Prayer brings us to the source of unity — the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Prayer unites us with Christ who died to “reconcile the world to himself” (2 Cor 5:19). Prayer opens our hearts to the Holy Spirit, the “soul” of the Church’s communion. Let us pray that out of the great diversity of the Church’s members, we may unite in professing “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph 4:5).

Second, let us extend our prayer for unity to our enemies, opponents, or those who irritate us — including family members, brother Knights and coworkers. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us to pray for our enemies, noting that if we love only those who love us, we are no better than unbelievers (cf. Mt 5:43-48). Such prayer helps us forgive and recognize how we may have wronged others. It frees us from resentment.

“We can build unity by working together to protect the vulnerable and help those in need. Just as unity is essential for charity, charity deepens unity.”

Third, receive the sacrament of reconciliation often. As our sins are forgiven, we share in the peace the risen Lord won for us, the peace the world cannot give (cf. Jn 14:27). We are reconciled to God, to the Church, and to one another. Here we find the grace to be reconcilers amid division.

Fourth, make the Mass the center of your spiritual life. The Eucharist is the sacrament of charity and unity. By sharing in the banquet of Christ’s sacrifice, we are drawn together in a communion of love and life. Receiving the body of Christ, we become the body of Christ.

Fifth, participate in Cor. Sharing your faith in a fraternal environment removes divisions and helps us see one another in a new light. We rediscover unity in the person of Christ and his teaching, as we grow together in friendship and virtue.

Finally, we can build unity by working together to protect the vulnerable and help those in need. Just as unity is essential for charity, charity deepens unity. And together, they make the Knights beacons and builders of unity both in the Church and the world.

Metal bucket at draw-well in European village.

Beacons and Builders of Unity

Related Articles

From the Supreme Chaplain

The Bucket List

The Bucket List

From the Supreme Chaplain

Beyond Fear

Beyond Fear

From the Supreme Chaplain

Pope Leo’s Summons to Charity

Pope Leo’s Summons to Charity

From the Supreme Chaplain

Competing Desires

Competing Desires

From the Supreme Chaplain

Mary’s Heart and Ours

Mary’s Heart and Ours

From the Supreme Chaplain

‘God Truly Loves Me’

‘God Truly Loves Me’

From the Supreme Chaplain

Let’s Not Make a Deal

Let’s Not Make a Deal

From the Supreme Chaplain

The Door of Hope

The Door of Hope