2022 Annual Report of the Supreme Knight

Oct. 1, 2022

Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly’s annual report was broadcast worldwide Aug. 2, following the Supreme Convention’s opening Mass in Nashville

By Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly

Oct. 1, 2022

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly (Photo by Tamino Petelinšek)

Your Eminences, Your Beatitude, Your Excellencies, my brother Knights and friends, both near and far: It’s good to be with you. After three long years, the Supreme Convention is in person again. We are back where we belong!

Today is a special privilege for me. This is my first in-person annual report. Leading the Order is among the highest honors I will ever have. I am grateful for the love and support of my wife, Vanessa, and our three girls. And to my brother Knights and families: I am excited as we all set out together to achieve great things.

“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.”

It’s been nearly 40 years since I became a Knight. And my family’s history in the Order stretches back more than a century. My father and my grandfather taught me what it means to be a Knight. And when I think back to their example, and my own experience, I know exactly how to sum up the men of this brotherhood. It’s the heart of my message today and our mission going forward: 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.

*****

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly joins Bishop James Checchio of Metuchen, N.J., for the blessing of the 1,500th ultrasound machine at First Choice Women’s Resource Center in New Brunswick, Jan. 19, 2022. (Photo by Jeffrey Bruno)

Life

There are many urgent challenges that demand our action. But as we gather here, one opportunity looms especially large. Roe v. Wade is finally gone. We now have a chance to win the fight for life! This day has been a long time coming. And many of us didn’t think we’d live to see it. Abortion was never in the Constitution. And by ending Roe, the Court has empowered us to end one of the worst injustices in American history. Generations of brother Knights, both past and present, prayed and worked to reach this day. And we helped rally the pro-life movement.

There is no better example than the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. Knights were instrumental in organizing the first march in 1974. And year after year, we’ve helped it grow. The March for Life has become the largest annual human rights demonstration in the world. Roe is overturned, but we have more work to do. We will continue to march for life until abortion is unthinkable.

Our principled stand in the public square has made a difference. So has our tireless work to support mothers and children. From the largest cities to the smallest towns, we’ve long supported a nationwide network of pregnancy resource centers. Day after day, Knights and their families provide a helping hand and a caring heart.

Most notably, we’ve supported pregnant mothers through our landmark Ultrasound Initiative. In 2009, we placed a dozen ultrasound machines in pregnancy resource centers. At the time, we hoped to place a few dozen more. Thirteen years later, we have donated 1,566 lifesaving machines. And we’re not done.

The end of Roe is a crucial milestone. But we cannot mistake it for the end of abortion. We can hope it is the beginning of the end. And as Knights, we must push forward, with all the courage and compassion we can summon. As much as we’ve done, there is still so much more to do. We must increase our efforts on every front. Each state has a choice to make. At least half will protect life to some degree. But others will keep the abortion status quo. And some states will even expand abortion, putting mothers and children in greater risk. They will double down on a culture of death. So we must push forward with a message of life.

Let’s take up the cause in Springfield and Sacramento. Let’s oppose abortion in places like Albany, while supporting pro-life laws in Austin and Atlanta. And while we push for change in places like Washington state, let’s keep up the pressure in Washington, D.C.

Some recent — and I would say superficial — polls make it seem like we’re alone in our stand for life. Abortion activists certainly want us to believe this. But the good news is that the American people, in fact, are with us. We have found that, when you move beyond simplistic labels and ask Americans what they actually think about abortion, there is a clear pro-life consensus.

For the last 15 years, the Knights of Columbus has partnered with Marist on a nationwide poll. Far from showing that a majority of Americans are for unlimited abortion, our polling shows that 7 in 10 favor substantial restrictions. Year after year, the overwhelming majority wants to protect life. And more than half of Americans believe taxpayers should never be forced to pay for abortion.

Earlier this year, our Knights of Columbus-Marist Poll found that nearly two-thirds of Americans believed the Court should either make abortion illegal or return the issue to the states. This pro-life consensus should give us hope. As faithful citizens, we must hold our elected officials accountable. And we must push for pro-life protections in Congress and state capitals from coast to coast. We will continue our work until the laws of the land fully protect the right to life!

We can start by strengthening our support for pro-life marches. The March for Life in D.C. remains a major priority. And now state marches will be more important than ever. Let’s grow them — in size and impact. The bigger the march, the more likely lawmakers will take notice — and take action.

And that’s just as true in other countries. Today, Knights march for life around the world — in Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Republic of Korea, France and beyond. No matter where we live, the repeal of Roe should give us hope. If we can turn the tide here, we can do it anywhere. And the Knights of Columbus will do our part.

But we can’t just change the law. We must also change hearts and minds. With Roe gone, many mothers will still experience fear and uncertainty. Many will be tempted to seek an abortion in another state. But the Knights can point them in a different direction — toward life.

Pope Francis receives Supreme Knight Kelly, Past Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori in a private audience on Oct. 25, 2021. It was the Holy Father’s first meeting with the Order’s leadership after Carl Anderson’s retirement and Patrick Kelly’s election as supreme knight. (Photo by L’Osservatore Romano)

The best thing we can do is redouble our support for pregnancy resource centers. Day in and day out, they help mothers choose life. And they help new parents give their children a better life. We must ensure that pregnancy resource centers have everything they need. To start, we’ll place even more ultrasound machines, so more mothers can see their unborn children.

We’ll also strengthen our support for new mothers after pregnancy. Abortion was always built on lies. And one of the latest lies is that we don’t care what happens after a baby is born. Nothing could be further from the truth. For decades, Knights have partnered with pregnancy care centers and maternity homes to provide diapers, dollars and other donations to support their critical mission. But now is the time to do even more.

Last month, the Supreme Council launched a major initiative. It’s called ASAP, and it stands for “Aid and Support After Pregnancy.” This effort builds on our years of support for women and children. Now, when a council donates to a pregnancy center or maternity home, the Supreme Council will match 20%. We’ve set an initial target of $5 million for this year alone. But I know we can exceed that goal.

ASAP is modeled on the Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP). Over many years, RSVP has provided more than $91 million for seminarians and sisters in formation. Imagine if we do the same for pregnancy resource centers. ASAP is a priority, and around the world, I urge every Knight to rededicate himself to supporting mothers and children. We can — and we must — make abortion a thing of the past. Let’s move forward — together — toward a future of life.

As we prepare for the hard work ahead, I’d like to recognize two brother Knights. The Church’s pro-life witness is all the stronger for the courageous leadership of Archbishop William Lori. We can all be proud that our supreme chaplain is chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Pro-Life Committee at this crucial time for life. And I can tell you, having worked closely with him on the committee, we are very fortunate. His thoughtful and strategic approach is exactly what we need. And it comes from his heart — a heart totally committed to the cause of life. So, Archbishop, for myself, but also on behalf of all our brother Knights, thank you for your work and for your witness!

The second leader is my predecessor, who played a singular role in bringing us this far. Past Supreme Knight Carl Anderson strengthened our pro-life work. Under his guidance, we multiplied our efforts to support unborn children and vulnerable mothers. Carl worked tirelessly to advance the cause of life. And one of his greatest achievements was the success of our Ultrasound Initiative.

Last October, Pope Francis received us in a private audience. The Holy Father thanked Carl for his years of faithful service to the Church. The principled defense of life was central to Carl Anderson’s leadership — and, indeed, to his entire life’s work.

The Order’s pro-life commitment is nothing new. The Knights of Columbus has always been on the side of justice for the unborn. Starting with John McDevitt and Virgil Dechant after him, the leaders of the Order have consistently spoken out against Roe v. Wade. And over his 20 years of service, Carl Anderson brought that pro-life legacy to whole new level. With wisdom and foresight, he positioned the Order for this new day in the pro-life movement. And as his successor, I have no more urgent duty than to advance that legacy.

We will give a fuller tribute to Carl at the States Dinner this evening, but for now, I say on behalf of every Knight, thank you, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, for your years of service, for your pro-life witness, and for the example you have given to all of us.

Members of New Roads (La.) Council 1998 help lead a eucharistic procession. — Members of New Roads (La.) Council 1998 help lead a eucharistic procession at St. Mary of False River Catholic Church. The procession helped kick off the parish’s participation in the National Eucharistic Revival. (Photo by Spirit Juice Studios)

Faith

In this new era of protecting life, the Knights of Columbus will lead the way. But abortion is not the only major challenge our Lord is calling us to meet head-on. At this moment, a storm is gathering. It casts a long shadow over people of faith, as well as the family. Now, it’s true that faith and family have always faced threats. But never have we experienced anything like this. On so many fronts, the shapers of culture are working to undermine the truths on which all societies depend.

We see it in the denial of human dignity. We see it in the blatant attempts to redefine the human person — and to push this radical agenda on our children. And we see it in the rejection of our basic human rights. We are at risk of losing the freedom to practice our faith and even to speak openly about the most foundational truths. Amid this crisis, it’s getting harder to be Catholic. And it’s tougher than ever to hand on our faith to our children and our grandchildren.

Each of these challenges is a serious breach — a breach in the very bedrock of society. But that’s where these times summon us. To the places of the deepest need and the highest honor. Where the fighting is fiercest, and where the battle is ultimately won or lost. Trusting in God’s strength, and not in our own, they Knights of Columbus say yes. For our faith, for our families — we will step into the breach!

This time of great challenge requires great men. So we must put our faith into action. As we prepare for this work, we can turn to Pope Francis for inspiration. At last year’s convention, the Holy Father called us to be “committed to building up rather than tearing down.” And as we build up, we do so on the foundation that has served us so well for 140 years.

When Father Michael McGivney founded the Knights, Catholics faced many threats. He rallied the men of his parish to confront and overcome them — and they did. But he couldn’t imagine the dangers we face today. Still, our Founder’s vision has stood the test of time. For us, going into the breach means strengthening families and spreading the faith. It means deepening our commitment to our highest principles — charity, unity and fraternity.

Above all else, being a Knight means drawing closer to the person of Jesus Christ, our King. That’s why the Order is strongly supporting the National Eucharistic Revival in the United States. Our bishops launched this effort in June, and the Supreme Council has pledged $1 million in support. Already, many councils are promoting the Revival in their parishes. And I know many more will follow.

At my installation, I called upon all of us to be “Knights of the Eucharist.” And from the Philippines to France, from Canada to Cuba, we should all strengthen our love for Christ truly present in the Eucharist. The Revival may be in the United States, but the Eucharist unites the universal Church.

And as the Order draws closer to Christ, we will find it easier to share the Gospel. As supreme knight, evangelization is one of my top priorities. When I look back on the Order’s history, I see evangelization in virtually everything we’ve done.

Yet today, there is a special urgency. Four out of five Catholics will fall away from the Church by their early 20s. And those who no longer identify as Catholic, if one considered them a denomination, would make up the second largest religious group in the United States.

In these difficult times, each of us needs a living faith. And each of us needs to lead others to the faith. That’s why we’ll soon launch a discipleship and evangelization initiative. A pilot program recently took place here in Tennessee, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

This will be one of our most important initiatives. It will build on what we started with our Into the Breach video series. To date, those videos have been viewed more than 1 million times. And next year, we’ll release a new series on marriage and family.

As we focus more on faith formation, once again we should look to our Founder. In Blessed Michael McGivney, we see a powerful example of faithfulness. And in his beatification, we see a confirmation of our mission.

It’s fitting that we’re gathered here in Tennessee, where Daniel Schachle is our general agent. Several years ago, through Father McGivney’s intercession, the Lord healed a fatal condition in the unborn son of Dan and his wife, Michelle.

After thorough investigation, the Church confirmed that the healing was a miracle. And that cleared the way for Father McGivney’s beatification.

Mikey Schachle is now a healthy and active 7-year-old. To the Schachle family: Thank you — for saying yes to life. And thank you for playing such an important role in our Founder’s beatification. And to Michael McGivney Schachle: Your life is a blessing to your family, to us and to the world.

There are many saints we can call upon for help. Like many Knights, I have a special devotion to St. Joseph. On the day I was installed, my first act was to consecrate my service as supreme knight to St. Joseph. He embodies what Pope Francis called “creative courage,” which is exactly what we need. He is a model of determination in the face of adversity.

Last October, I presented our pilgrim icon to Pope Francis during my first meeting with him. He blessed it and invoked St. Joseph’s intercession for all of us. The St. Joseph Pilgrim Icon Program is well underway, and hundreds of councils have helped tens of thousands of people deepen their devotion to St. Joseph.

Another saint we can look to is Mother Teresa of Calcutta. This fall, we will commemorate the 25th anniversary of her death through a documentary celebrating her life. It’s called Mother Teresa: No Greater Love, and it will play on screens in more than 900 theaters nationwide Oct. 3-4.

I believe this is a very powerful film that will move hearts. Just recently, we had a family movie night at home. And we were all captivated by it. For Vanessa and me, the film brought back a flood of memories about Mother Teresa’s courage. And our girls were speechless — even our 6-year-old watched every minute.

We believe it will bring Mother Teresa’s transformative witness of love for the poorest of the poor to a new generation.

*****

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle blessing wheelchairs — Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, accompanied by Archbishop Lori and Supreme Knight Kelly, blesses wheelchairs donated by the Knights of Columbus for young Afghan refugees. The blessing took place outside the Order’s Campo Sportivo Pio XI in Rome on Oct. 24, 2021. (Photo by Tamino Petelinsek)

Charity

Mother Teresa embodied the charity to which Knights aspire. So did Father McGivney. They both understood that it’s God himself who reaches out — in love — to a world in need. And he does this through us. As Catholics, we must be powerful instruments of God’s love.

That’s why, around the world, more than 2 million Knights serve and sacrifice for the sake of others. In the last fraternal year, we donated nearly $154 million to worthy causes, both large and small. And we Knights stepped up with close to 48 million hours of volunteer service.

Our charitable work is at the heart of the Order. And our response to COVID-19 will surely rank among our finest hours. From helping stranded college students in Canada, to sending oxygen tanks to the Amazon, we left no neighbor behind — no matter who or where they were. From the moment the pandemic began to fade, we rallied to rebuild our parishes.

As Father Christopher Christensen, the pastor of my old parish, St. Rita’s, in Alexandria, Virginia, said, “The Knights never wavered in their support. They were there when we needed them most.” In my travels over the past year, I’ve heard similar praise from priests and bishops around the world. And it makes me proud to be a Knight.

Beyond the pandemic, we met many needs, in many ways. Last year, we supported nearly 6,000 seminarians and postulants, to the tune of $5.4 million. At the Vatican, we sponsored an important theological symposium on the priesthood. His Holiness Pope Francis began the conference by offering a moving reflection on his own priesthood.

In Baltimore, we chartered a council at St. Mary’s Seminary, where young Michael McGivney prepared for priesthood. As this new generation of seminarians follows in our Founder’s footsteps, they will benefit from the experience of charity and fraternity they will find in the Knights. Our support for priests and seminarians is just one dimension of our charity.

The past year saw countless acts of service. Through Coats for Kids, we gave nearly 150,000 children the gift of warmth in the coldest months. In partnership with the Global Wheelchair Mission, we gave the gift of mobility to nearly 9,000 people.

While the pandemic forced the cancellation of many Special Olympics events, we maintained our strong support. Councils donated more than $3.7 million, and individual Knights volunteered more than 418,000 hours. Our support for Special Olympics is a powerful sign of our unwavering defense of the dignity of the human person. As Knights, we know that every life is a gift from God.

We also stepped up in the wake of disaster. Last year, local councils gave nearly $3 million to the victims of tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires.

Steven Bishop of Holy Spirit Council 9533 in Springfield, Mo., helps a boy try on a jacket at a Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids event. The distribution was co-hosted by Springfield area councils at Hammons Field, the home of the Springfield Cardinals minor league baseball team. (Photo by Bruce Stidham)

In Kentucky, we responded to the deadliest tornadoes in state history with truckloads of supplies for the hardest-hit communities. In Louisiana, we helped rebuild after the destruction of Hurricane Ida. As one local pastor put it, our response was “a light in the darkness.”

In New Mexico, the state’s largest-ever wildfire sparked a massive response. As 25,000 people fled their homes, Knights stocked evacuation sites with food, water and other essentials.

Whatever the crisis, we aren’t just there in the short run. The Knights stay for the long haul. And we help these communities come back stronger.

Consider our work in the Middle East. To date, we have provided $32 million in relief for persecuted Christians in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. Together, we’re rebuilding these communities through housing, education and health care. And our work to protect the cradle of Christianity will continue in the years ahead.

Much of our charity serves military members and their families. We recently launched the sixth edition of our military prayer book, Armed with the Faith. We’ve already delivered the first of 100,000 copies to the Archdiocese for the Military Services in the United States. As a veteran myself, I know the value of our support for the military. Daily prayer was essential for me and for many of those with whom I served. And I’m confident our military prayer book will continue to benefit soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.

Our support for the military springs from our fourth principle: patriotism. We live in a time of rising attacks on national heritage. There are those who want to tear down our nations and rewrite our histories.

“In the last fraternal year, we donated nearly $154 million to worthy causes, both large and small. And we Knights stepped up with close to 48 million hours of volunteer service.”

As Catholics, we know that the nation, rightly understood, is essential to our well-being. It’s our responsibility to build up our homelands by leading lives of virtue, by pursuing justice, and by caring for the less fortunate.

We must have the courage to engage in political life and bring our values into the public square. Not because we all agree, but because we share a common good. We owe a common debt to those who have gone before us. And we have a common duty to those who will follow us.

Speaking in Canada last week, Pope Francis took on “cancel culture” and the tendency to judge history only by contemporary categories. The Holy Father cautioned that this mentality creates a bland uniformity and an intolerance of differences. It concentrates only on the needs of certain individuals in the present moment, while neglecting our duty to the weak and the vulnerable of our nations.

And so, as patriots, we will stand in the breach — because it is love of country that will save our countries.

Whatever country we live in, our charity extends far beyond our borders. In Haiti, when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit last August, we gave $175,000 in much-needed support. When Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, the Missionaries of Charity in Kabul were forced to close their orphanage for disabled children. The sisters and the children evacuated to Rome. And the Knights of Columbus met them there, with a helping hand. Archbishop Lori and I gave the children wheelchairs that were blessed by His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, a brother Knight.

I have to say, in my first year as Supreme Knight, I have had some incredible experiences. But nothing was moving than being with these severely disabled children. Their parents could no longer care for them. They were abandoned on the streets of Kabul, and the police brought them to the sisters. The sisters had been caring for them for years. And when Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, the sisters refused to leave with-out the children. I’ve never seen love like I saw in these Missionaries of Charity.

General Agent Juan Carlin discusses life insurance with a couple in McAllen, Texas. (Photo by Spirit Juice Studios)

Insurance & Investing

The original sign of our charity is our financial protection for Catholic families. Father McGivney created the Knights to care for widows and orphans. One hundred and forty years later, we have maintained this noble mission — while expanding it dramatically. What started as a small mutual aid society in 1882 is now a Fortune 1000 fraternal benefits society that offers insurance.

And we are widely respected as one of the best life insurance providers in America. We continue to receive superior ratings from Standard & Poor’s and A.M. Best for our financial strength.

What explains our record of success? There are many reasons, starting with the foundation of faith upon which our business is built. We are called to care for families. And that leads us to do things other companies don’t do. In a time of online quotes, our agents and members still meet face-to-face. We offer a personal connection in an impersonal age. And everything we do is grounded in faith. That is the true “K of C Difference.”

Thanks to the hard work of our dedicated field agents, who now number more than 900, we have a record $119 billion of life insurance in force protecting Catholic families.

In 2021, our agents set a new standard of excellence. They achieved the highest sales on record. But we aren’t resting on our laurels.

The financial struggles facing Catholic families are mounting. So is the pressure to abandon the Church’s teaching in the marketplace.

We believe there is a better way. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors others faith-based investments for individuals, dioceses and Catholic organizations. It provides the world’s broadest lineup of Catholic investment strategies, including our highly attractive mutual funds and other investments. These products fully align with Church teaching on ethical investing.

K of C Asset Advisors empowers Catholic families to be in the market, but not of the market. They can be confident that their investments with us are fiscally and morally responsible. That explains why our mutual funds have taken off. In less than one year, individuals and families have invested more than $85 million in our mutual funds.

Across all our products, our clients have invested more than $1.6 billion with K of C Asset Advisors.

In 2019, we introduced the Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund. It helps individuals and families align their charitable giving with the faith. At the end of 2021, this donor-advised fund was managing $58 million in charitable assets. Last year we helped our clients donate $3 million to worthy charities.

We’ve come a long way from the mutual aid society of Father McGivney’s day. Yet while our model has changed, our mission remains the same. We serve and strengthen the Catholic family. And never have we done so much for so many.

Members of St. John Henry Newman Council 11323 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va., pray the rosary together at the Newman House chapel. (Photo by Spirit Juice Studios)

Membership

Why has our Founder’s vision endured? One reason is the missionary zeal of our forefathers. Think about how far we’ve come since those men gathered in the basement of St. Mary’s. Think of how they inspired others to follow in their footsteps. And now think of how you and I can reach a new generation of Knights. With that same spirit, we can expand our brotherhood to new people and places. We are building on a strong foundation.

Today, we have more than 2 million brother Knights in over 16,000 councils around the world. And more than 65,000 men joined our ranks last year alone. Even with this success, our continued growth must remain a top priority — because even more men need what Father McGivney envisioned when he founded the Knights.

He created a place where Catholic men could thrive, find authentic fellowship and devote themselves to a higher purpose. He founded a brotherhood where men can forge their faith and achieve the greatness to which God himself calls them. Men of all ages need the Knights. And we need to bring the Order to more communities.

Last year, I launched an initiative to engage more Hispanic Catholics. About half of all Catholics in the United States between 18 and 29 are Latino. Their faith and their gifts are shaping the future of the Catholic Church. Already, we have many committed Hispanic Knights, who daily strengthen the Order. But the truth is, we should have many more. We are being presented with a great opportunity to witness to solidarity in this country and throughout the world.

That’s why we’re creating a more culturally relevant experience for ethnically Hispanic families. And we’re intentionally cultivating more Latino leaders across the Order.

“Father McGivney created a place where Catholic men could thrive, — find — authentic fellowship and devote themselves to a higher purpose. He founded a brotherhood where men can forge their faith and achieve the greatness to which God himself calls them.”

It’s also why we continue the great work of our Native Solidarity Initiative. Through the years, we’ve focused more energy to ensure the Order continues to be a home for Native American and First Nation Catholic men and their families. That has been our tradition for more than a century.

The Order was proud to support the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops as the Church in Canada welcomed Pope Francis last week. The Supreme Council was a major sponsor of the papal visit. We were represented by a delegation of Knights led by First Nation member and Former Supreme Director Graydon Nicholas. And we all joined with the Holy Father and our Canadian Knights as they prayed for reconciliation and healing.

Again, I point to our founding. In an age of significant immigration, Father McGivney and the first Knights built a brotherhood that deliberately invited men from all backgrounds. They understood our Lord’s universal mission and the Church’s role as the source of unity for all people.

So today, while we focus in a special way on Hispanic Catholics, I say to all brother Knights across this country and around the world: In this age of division, together, let’s make the Knights of Columbus a powerful sign of Catholic unity.

Supreme Knight Kelly and Ukraine State Deputy Youriy Maletskiy join Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki of Lviv and displaced Ukrainan families inside the monastery in Rava-Ruska — Supreme Knight Kelly and Ukraine State Deputy Youriy Maletskiy join Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki of Lviv and displaced Ukrainian families inside the monastery in Rava-Ruska. With financial support from the Ukraine Solidarity Fund^®, the Archdiocese of Lviv converted the monastery complex into a refugee center. (Photo by Tamino Petelinsek)

Conclusion

Knights of Columbus: Our moment is now. And our mission is clear. Preserve life. Protect the family. Proclaim the faith. The world needs men who will match these times. And we are rising to meet this challenge.

Look no further than our response to the war in Ukraine. Our actions convey the essence of what a Knight must do, and who a Knight must be. Ukraine has a special place in our hearts. We brought the Order there 10 years ago. Our first Knights were the leaders of Ukraine’s Catholic Churches, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk and Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki — we thank you for your courage in the face of such adversity!

Today, we have more than 1,900 Knights in Ukraine. They and their families, and all the people of Ukraine, deserve to live in peace. But Russia has forced them to fight for their lives and for the very survival of their country. Many of our brother Knights are on the frontlines even now. With sadness, word has reached us that at least two brother Knights have given their lives. We pray for their families. And we commend their souls to the Lord. And as an Order, we pledge to honor their sacrifice and stand with Ukraine — for as long as it takes.

Since the start of the war, the Order has stood in the breach. Within 36 hours of the Russian invasion, we established the Ukraine Solidarity Fund^®. And to date, we have raised nearly $19 million dollars. It’s one of the largest and fastest relief efforts in the Order’s history.

Due to the generosity of Knights and all who support our work, we are making a difference on the ground. Day in and day out, Polish and Ukrainian Knights send truckloads of humanitarian supplies to bombed-out cities and communities in need.

They’ve become known across Ukraine as K of C Charity Convoys. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of Polish Knights, we’ve also set up K of C Mercy Centers, modeled on our relief efforts in World War I. Just over a century ago, the Knights of Columbus welcomed Allied soldiers with the words, “Everybody Welcome! Everything Free!” Today, those same words greet Ukrainian families in their own language.

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly delivers Easter care packages to families taking refuge at a 14th-century monastery in Rava-Ruska, in western Ukraine, on April 12, 2022. (Photo by Andrii Gorb)

In April, I visited our Mercy Center in Hrebenne, at the Ukraine-Poland border. I saw firsthand how we provided an oasis of material and spiritual support.

In Ukraine itself, I visited with displaced families who had taken refuge in a 14th-century monastery. With help from the Knights, the Archdiocese of Lviv has turned the monastery into a refugee center.

While there, I met a woman from Odessa, whose daughter is in the Ukrainian army. She fled her home with her granddaughter and a single bag of belongings. You might expect this woman to be despondent. Instead, she was overflowing with gratitude. She repeatedly thanked me for everything the Knights of Columbus has done. I told her we are with her, and all the people of Ukraine.

I will always remember what I saw. And I will never forget the courage I saw in Ukrainian Knights. Before I left, I formally installed Ukraine’s state deputy, Youriy Maletskiy. Youriy, I speak for every Knight of Columbus when I say you and your countrymen inspire us.

Before I traveled to Poland and Ukraine, I had the privilege to meet a second time with Pope Francis. We talked at length about the Order’s work in Ukraine. The Holy Father was animated as we spoke. As the meeting ended, Pope Francis gestured with both hands, and encouraged me, saying: “Go on! Go on!” The Holy Father was not just speaking to me. He was encouraging every Knight —all 2 million of us. He was saying “go on,” in defense of life. He was saying “go on,” in service to faith and family. And in this time of great challenge and even greater need, he was saying “go on,” in our witness of charity.

The days ahead will be difficult. The road will be long. So let us set out as our Founder and the men before us did. Giving thanks and praise to God. Asking for his help. Because in him — and only in him — are all things possible. And the Lord who has brought us this far will carry us still further. As together, we step into the breach.

Vivat Jesus!

2022 Annual Report of the Supreme Knight

Life

Faith

Charity

Insurance & Investing

Membership

Conclusion

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