Knighthood Takes Courage

June 1, 2022

Love of God and neighbor conquers fear and leads us to live sacrificially

By Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly

June 1, 2022

Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly (Photo by Michael Collopy)

The idea of the “knight in shining armor” is attractive. What young man has not at some time in his life been captivated by armor, sword and shield? But the essence of knighthood is not a matter of tools and external trappings; it is a matter of the heart — a heart that is brave in the face of hardship, danger and even death. Knighthood takes endurance and a willingness to give sacrificially. Knighthood takes courage.

Since I was installed as supreme knight last year, I have spoken frequently about our call to creative courage. In recent days, I have witnessed countless examples of it.

Perhaps most poignantly, I was struck by the courage of the Ukrainian people and especially Ukrainian Knights of Columbus, who continue to serve tirelessly, despite dire threats and mounting hardships.

I have been struck by the courage of those who continue to proclaim the truth about life, even in the face of hatred, condemnation and the threat of violence.

And I have been increasingly moved by the courage of men and women of deep faith who, despite a strong cultural current running against them, lovingly witness to their Catholic faith to family members, neighbors and friends.

There is a great deal of courage going around, and there can be no doubt that the world is better for it.

Courage, or fortitude, is that virtue which allows us to the do the right thing even in the face of fear. Without it, men fail to act when there is danger. Or, they jump rashly into serious danger because they fail to fear the right things — another kind of foolishness.

Courage, rightly lived, properly assesses danger — but leads us to act anyway. It requires endurance and discipline, but most of all it requires love, because it is our love for something — or for someone — that makes us willing to endure hardship, and even death.

‘Our Lord tells the disciples, “Be not afraid.” Not because there aren’t real things to fear, but because “perfect love drives out fear” (1 Jn 4:18). And in the Eucharist we are fed with and drawn into his life and love; in the Eucharist we are empowered to love as he loved.’

It was love, not fear or duty or a desire for honor, that led our Lord to take up his Cross. This love freed us from the bondage to sin, the tyranny of evil and the futility of death.

Consider, then, what love we should have in return. The one who gave everything to rescue us and everyone we love deserves all our love in return. It is our love of Christ, to whom we owe all our hope and joy, that gives us courage. If we would be courageous, we must love.

There are many ways we can love our Lord, but we can love him directly in special way by fostering love for the Eucharist.

For that reason, I return again to another theme of my service as supreme knight: our call to be “Knights of the Eucharist.”

Our Lord tells the disciples, “Be not afraid.” Not because there aren’t real things to fear, but because “perfect love drives out fear” (1 Jn 4:18). And in the Eucharist we are fed with and drawn into his life and love; in the Eucharist we are empowered to love as he loved.

This month, bishops in the United States are launching a National Eucharistic Revival for all the faithful. And we Knights in the United States are being called to support and promote the movement with courage and zeal. But no matter where we are, Knights of Columbus should promote belief in Christ’s presence in the Eucharist in themselves, their families and others. It is not only “right and just” to do so, as we say at the Mass, but this faith is an endless source of the courage to which we aspire as Knights.

Being a Knight of the Eucharist requires endurance in the face of fear and a confidence built on love for that which is greater — and, particularly, for he who is greater. In serving our neighbors and the living body of Christ — and in strengthening faith in our Lord’s eucharistic presence — we seek to serve God above all else.

Vivat Jesus!

Knighthood Takes Courage

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