2026 Annual Report of the Supreme Knight

October 1, 2026

Denver | Aug. 4, 2026

By Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly

October 1, 2026

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly (Photo by Tamino Petelinsek)

Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, my brother Knights and families: Welcome to our Supreme Convention.

We are here to celebrate our work over the past year and to chart our path for the years ahead. For nearly a century and a half, we have upheld the vision of our founder, Blessed Michael McGivney. And to this day, we continue to advance in charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism — always in service to Christ and his Church.

This is a fitting time to reflect on our past, as well as our future. The United States — our original home — is commemorating its 250th anniversary. And Colorado is a fitting place to rededicate ourselves to the work ahead. We established our first council west of the Mississippi in this very city in 1900, and Denver Council 539 is still remembered as the “mother council of the West.”

Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful before celebrating Mass at Louis II Stadium in Monaco on March 28, 2026. (CNS photo / Lola Gomez)

This city is also famously associated with St. John Paul II’s bold call for a new evangelization at World Youth Day in 1993. In the years that followed, so many Catholics responded by pursuing the priesthood and religious life. So many others embraced their vocation to marriage and family. And the Knights of Columbus responded by putting our faith into action. We embraced the new evangelization in our hearts, our homes and our communities — in this country and around the world.

And now we are responding to our new Holy Father. In this time of global conflict and economic uncertainty, Pope Leo XIV has summoned us to meet the modern world with our eternal faith. And in the Holy Father’s motto, we are reminded of a powerful truth: “In the One, we are one.”

These beautiful words speak to who we are as Knights of Columbus. We are not just another charitable organization. We are not a social club. We are a global brotherhood of Catholic leaders — and we are united in Jesus Christ. He is the source of our strength. And as we reflect on our service over the past year, we give all the glory to God.

Membership

Charter members of Council 19000, the first Knights of Columbus council in Spain, join Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly in front of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., following their initiation in June. (Photo by Tamino Petelinsek)

The Lord has enabled us to do great things. And he is drawing men into the Knights. More than 2.2 million men now count themselves as Knights of Columbus. Last year, we welcomed more than 105,000 new members. That’s the most growth we’ve had in more than a century — since the surge that followed the First World War. Thank you for extending the hand of brotherhood to the next generation.

We are flourishing today because of our fidelity to our founder’s vision. Father McGivney built the Knights of Columbus to help men grow in faith and friendship. What began with a single council in a Connecticut parish basement has now spread to nearly 17,000 councils around the world.

It has now been 20 years since we welcomed our first brother Knights in Poland. At the time, it was our first international expansion in a century. Our entry into Poland was soon followed by Ukraine, Lithuania, France and Korea. I would like to welcome our Polish delegation, and I congratulate them on two decades as Rycerze Kolumba!

Father McGivney also wanted to reach young men. He built the Order to help them keep the faith in a hostile culture and practice the faith as husbands and fathers.

And I’m pleased to announce that we have now expanded into a new country. In June, the Supreme Officers and I initiated the charter members of Council 19000 in the nation of Spain.

And I’d like to note that since the Knights started in Spain, their national soccer team has gone undefeated!

In our founder’s time, most Catholic Americans were recent immigrants or the children of immigrants. Father McGivney wanted to give them a home. Today, we are still serving immigrant communities and their descendants. Last year, 15% of new members in the United States and Canada were Hispanic. And our commitment to Latino communities has never been stronger.

Father McGivney also wanted to reach young men. He built the Order to help them keep the faith in a hostile culture and practice the faith as husbands and fathers. Here, too, we are upholding our founder’s vision. The fastest-growing group of Knights is men under the age of 35.

We also continue to reach young men during their college years. We now have more than 37,000 college Knights and 320 college councils, and they are a sign of contradiction on campus. That’s certainly true of St. Carlo Acutis Council 18672 in Michigan. It was chartered last year with members from four colleges in Detroit — and when the council’s namesake was canonized in Rome, they were there. These young men are living their faith on campus for all to see.

The same is true of our brother Knights at two rival schools — the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Military Academy. The supreme chaplain and I attended the Army-Navy Game in December, and Archbishop Lori led these college Knights — midshipmen and cadets — in their annual tradition of praying the rosary at halftime. We were also joined by Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who leads the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and recently concluded his term as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It was a beautiful experience, and as a retired naval officer, I tried to offer a few encouraging words to both sides. Now I may have instinctively said, “Go Navy! Beat Army!” But truly our God is a just judge … Navy won by a single point.

Evangelization

College Knights from St. Carlo Acutis Council 18672 in Detroit display a banner depicting their council’s namesake before his canonization in St. Peter’s Square on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photo by Antoine Mekary)

Our college Knights bear witness to a phenomenon that is sweeping the United States and much of the West: Young people are turning to Christ and his Church. Last year, many dioceses across the nation saw conversions rise by as much as 70%. And this Easter, we saw even stronger growth. Many bishops are reporting the highest numbers they have seen in decades. Here in Denver, some parishes have seen conversions triple in recent years.

These converts are searching for compelling answers. They are fleeing the isolation and incoherence that define our time. A Harvard study found that nearly two-thirds of 18-to-25-year-olds are suffering from persistent loneliness. And the evidence is clear that young men are struggling the most. They need real friendship and real connection — and they are finding it in the Catholic Church.

These converts are also looking for purpose. They have been raised in a culture of empty promises and confusion — confusion about who they are and why they exist. But our human nature cries out for a life of meaning — for a life of coherence. That is why so many young people are turning to Christ. They are looking for a faith that takes truth seriously, that takes marriage seriously, that takes them seriously.

That is why so many young people are turning to Christ. They are looking for a faith that takes truth seriously, that takes marriage seriously, that takes them seriously.

The Knights of Columbus can show men that they are not alone. For 144 years, we have empowered men to find their purpose and pursue it together. And we are rising to meet this moment, especially through our Cor initiative. These small-group settings are a powerful way to give young men exactly what they are looking for — a community centered in Jesus Christ.

Members of Virgilius Council 185 in Newtown, Conn., participate in a Men of the Word Bible study during a Cor session organized at St. Rose of Lima Parish.

Cor started with a small pilot of only 60 councils just four years ago. Today, more than 6,000 councils around the world are offering Cor, with more taking it up every year. We have heard from bishops and priests that Cor is breathing new life into their parishes. It is building bonds of lasting friendship — with one another and with Christ.

We are giving councils the tools they need to make Cor a success. We created a Bible study for men, and we offer a wealth of other faith formation materials through our Catholic Information Service. We also provide free access to Formed, the streaming platform run by our friends at the Augustine Institute.

We recently launched a new video series, Into the Breach: The Dignity of Work. It features five powerful episodes that speak directly to men as providers and leaders.

This series could not be more timely. Today, many young men are leaving the workforce or avoiding responsibility altogether. It is a major problem — but the true crisis extends even deeper. Many men have lost their sense of mission. They are wasting their lives on their phones and in the dark corners of the internet. Doomscrolling only makes things worse.

We now find ourselves at a generational crossroads. That is why we created this series — to help men discover their purpose again. And we have clearly struck a chord. In less than six months, The Dignity of Work has been viewed more than 4 million times. It is our most popular video series yet.

We have also developed a new video series in partnership with an organization based here in Denver. Since 2011, Christ in the City has equipped hundreds of missionaries to meet the poor with a message of friendship and hope.

Their work is inspiring — and so is the series they created with us. It is called Encountering the Poor, and it offers practical guidance for how Knights can truly serve those on the margins.

French Knights, joined by Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly, kneel in prayer before a statue of St. Joseph. — French Knights, joined by Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly, kneel in prayer before a statue of St. Joseph during the 50th pilgrimage of men, husbands and fathers to Cotignac, where St. Joseph appeared in the 17th century. (Photo by Tamino Petelinsek)

For years, we heard from Knights about the need for a retreat for men. We responded by creating Heart of the Gospel. Developed in collaboration with ACTS XXIX, it gives councils everything they need to hold a retreat for the men of their parish. And I say to all my brother Knights: This retreat will help you grow in your faith so that you can witness to others. It invites you into the story of salvation — not as a bystander, but as a leader in your family and your community. We are already hearing that men are finding inspiration through this retreat. They are drawing closer to Jesus Christ — and embracing lives of faith and service.

Many Knights can attest to the power of retreats. The same is true of pilgrimages. For several years, our French Knights have joined a pilgrimage of more than 2,000 men — mostly husbands and fathers — to Cotignac, where St. Joseph appeared in the 17th century. This year, it was my privilege to join them. They had been walking for three days straight in blistering heat, and at the end of the pilgrimage, we gathered for an open-air Mass. The joy of these men and the depth of their devotion to St. Joseph were inspiring. I am grateful to our French Knights for their faithful witness and leadership.

Throughout the Church’s history, pilgrimages have formed men in their faith. We also have a new program to form men as virtuous leaders.

In May, we graduated the inaugural class of McGivney Fellows. Over the past two years, these 48 brother Knights have met every month. They have studied the habits that define authentic leadership, and they have looked at great leaders throughout history, including Father McGivney. Most of all, they have learned about the greatest leader of all — Jesus Christ.

We plan to train a new class of McGivney Fellows every year. Some members of the inaugural class are here today. I ask them to stand, and I thank them for answering the call to Christ-centered, virtuous leadership.

Charity & Global Relief

Each one of us is called to lead. And the most visible sign of our leadership is charity. Just as Christ came to serve, we devote our lives to serving others, especially the vulnerable.

Last year, our brother Knights devoted more than 48 million hours to volunteering. Think about that — that’s 130,000 hours of volunteer service every day. And around the world, we donated more than $200 million. That’s a new record — and I thank all of you for your tremendous witness to charity.

All of our charity reflects the love of God. It’s a charity that evangelizes.

Through the Global Wheelchair Mission, we have now given the gift of mobility to nearly 175,000 people. California Knights delivered more than 800 wheelchairs to the Philippines this year. And through this program, we are serving refugees fleeing war, soldiers injured in the line of duty and children with nowhere else to turn.

We also serve children who need a warm jacket to get through the winter, and our Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program is growing faster than ever. Last year, we gave more than 300,000 coats to children in need — the most ever. I am grateful to my brother Knights for caring so much for vulnerable children.

Our faith is also on full display in the wake of natural disasters. A month ago, massive earthquakes struck Venezuela. More than 5,000 people lost their lives. So we’re working with the Pontifical Mission Societies to bring relief to earthquake victims and their families.

After Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica, our Knights in New Hampshire sent a shipping container full of rebuilding supplies. And after torrential rains caused flooding in Hawaii, our brother Knights went door to door with financial support and a helping hand.

But the most inspiring story in Hawaii happened while the floods were still raging. A community of Benedictine nuns called the Knights in a panic. They were running out of drinking water and needed help. But reaching the sisters was no easy task. Their monastery was on top of a hill, up a steep dirt road that had turned to mud. But our Hawaiian Knights didn’t blink. They loaded an ATV with food and water and headed uphill. They delivered so many supplies that the sisters were able to help others in need.

In November, I received a note from Cardinal O’Malley, our longtime brother Knight and friend. He told me about a crisis unfolding at a place that’s dear to him — the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Washington, D.C. I know it well because I helped start Oscar Romero Council 15795 there when I was state deputy. The council serves a large immigrant community, and more than 60 families recently had loved ones detained or deported. Most had lost their breadwinner, so the Knights are helping those families make ends meet.

An athlete from Team Minnesota participates in the long jump during the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis on June 25, 2026. The Minnesota State Council was a leading sponsor of the Games. (Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Minnesota)

I received a call from another bishop last year — a brother Knight, Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He called after the horrific school shooting at a Minneapolis parish school. As the entire school gathered for Mass, a disturbed young man opened fire through the windows, killing two children and injuring more than a dozen others.

In the days that followed, we helped the archdiocese provide mental health care for the traumatized children. We also helped repair the church building. And we found inspiration in Archbishop Hebda’s spiritual care for his community. He soon conducted a rite of reparation to restore the parish as a place of worship. Archbishop Hebda, please know that you, and the families of Annunciation Catholic School, remain in our prayers.

Protecting children and the vulnerable is part of our founding mission. And our Minnesota Knights have shown strong support for Special Olympics. They were a leading sponsor when the USA Games came to the Twin Cities in June. And thanks to their tireless work, more than 4,000 athletes were able to compete.

Our support for Special Olympics now stretches back nearly 60 years. And in the past decade alone, we have dedicated more than $45 million and 5.5 million volunteer hours to competitions around the world. We will always support our brothers and sisters with intellectual disabilities — because they are living icons of God’s love in the world.

Together with the supreme chaplain and supreme secretary, I recently visited a place where charity is urgently needed — the Holy Land, the cradle of our faith. We traveled there with CNEWA — the Catholic Near East Welfare Association — to bring a message of hope and solidarity. We saw firsthand the suffering caused by the ongoing war — and it spurred us to action. In partnership with CNEWA, we have now donated $250,000 to treat the sick, feed the hungry and educate children in Gaza and across the region — bringing hope to the suffering people of the Holy Land and beyond.

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore leads a prayer at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Taybeh, West Bank, in September 2025. — Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore leads a delegation of officials from the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) and Knights of Columbus leaders in prayer at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Taybeh, West Bank, in September 2025. (Photo by Joseph Saadeh)

During our trip, Archbishop Lori and I went to Bethlehem, where the Daughters of Charity have a home for abandoned children. Newborns are left on their doorstep, and the plight of those abandoned children is heartbreaking. But the sisters’ love and care for them is breathtaking.

As we toured the nursery, one of the sisters asked me to hold a baby girl who had been abandoned just a few days earlier. I held her in my arms. And as a father of three young girls, I found myself wondering: What kind of life will this little one lead? Will she rise above the conflict that defines the land of her birth? Will she find the life of meaning and purpose that God wants for her? Only he knows the answers to these questions. But I do know this much: That little girl has a future because of the Daughters of Charity. And we are proud to support them.

The Holy Land has long been scarred by hatred and war. And few have suffered more than Middle Eastern Christians. They have endured constant persecution, and for much of this century, Christianity’s future in the region has looked bleak.

But the Knights of Columbus refuse to let our brothers and sisters be driven out of their ancient homeland. And since 2014, we have raised more than $35 million to rebuild and protect Christian communities across the Middle East.

Our work in Iraq has centered on Erbil, a northern city with a large Catholic population. And one of our most significant projects was the construction of a 140-unit apartment building for refugees. It’s named McGivney House, and over the past seven years it has sheltered thousands of people.

Sisters of the Company of the Savior stand with girls served by their community the day of their confirmation. With support from the Knights of Columbus, the sisters are building a vocational school for girls in Benin, West Africa. (Photo courtesy of the Sisters of the Company of the Savior)

But violence has returned to Erbil. In March, McGivney House was struck by an Iranian rocket. Its chapel took a direct hit. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the damage was severe. Today, I am pleased to announce that we will fully rebuild McGivney House — because the Knights of Columbus will never abandon our fellow Christians in the Middle East!

We stand with our Christian brothers and sisters — from the Middle East to Africa. And two years ago, I announced that we would help the Sisters of the Company of the Savior build a vocational training center for young girls in the African nation of Benin. According to international humanitarian groups, Benin is one of the hardest places on earth to be a girl. But the vocational center will help change that by giving these girls the skills they need to realize their God-given potential.

We had hoped the center would be finished by now. But Islamic terrorists have launched a campaign of kidnapping and killing in Benin. They are targeting Christian women and girls. The sisters wanted to stay, but the apostolic nuncio strongly urged them to leave. So the local bishop brought them and many of the girls to a safe house. The sisters are still working with the girls, and we are proud to support them. And we promise to help them finish that vocational center, no matter how long it takes!

We also support persecuted Christians in neighboring Nigeria. Terrorism is a major problem there, too, and Nigerian Christians desperately need material aid. But the country’s bishops told us that the most urgent need is actually spiritual support — to help their people persevere. That’s why, since 2023, we’ve helped train Nigerian priests, religious and catechists. We bring them to the United States, where they study at Franciscan University of Steubenville. And just this summer, the first priests graduated and returned to Nigeria.

One of the most important things we do in Nigeria is fight the scourge of human trafficking. And from Nigeria to Ukraine to the Philippines, we are partnering with the Arise Foundation to help protect women and girls. Even here in the United States, more than a million people are victims of human trafficking.

Human trafficking is a modern scourge. And Pope Leo has called us to confront it. In his apostolic exhortation Dilexi Te, the Holy Father wrote, “When the Church bends down to break the new chains that bind the poor, she becomes a paschal sign” (61). The Knights of Columbus is helping the Church be that sign — a sign of hope and a sign of freedom.

And I would like to thank our Filipino Knights for their leadership in this cause — especially Supreme Director Rene Sarmiento, who has spearheaded our collaboration with the Arise Foundation and will soon conclude his service on our board of directors.

Scholarship recipient Kateryna Poplavska places a candle during the Divine Liturgy. — Scholarship recipient Kateryna Poplavska places a candle during the Divine Liturgy that accompanied the presentation of McGivney Scholarships at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kyiv, Sept. 7, 2025. The scholarships are awarded to young people whose parents have been killed in the war. (Photo by Andrii Horb)

The war in Ukraine has also emboldened human traffickers in the region, but our Knights are protecting those in harm’s way. And across the board, Ukrainian and Polish Knights have demonstrated heroic charity throughout this awful war.

Over the past four years, millions of Ukrainians have fled their homes. Millions more have remained, living under the daily threat of death. But no matter where they are, we’re there to help them. Our Polish Knights continue to provide spiritual and material aid to refugees at K of C Mercy Centers, and our Ukrainian Knights bring relief to the front lines. For that matter, many Ukrainian Knights serve on the front lines. Some have made the ultimate sacrifice.

We continue to stand with those who’ve suffered in the war. Last year, we started a McGivney Scholarship program for young Ukrainians who have lost a parent. One of the first recipients, Kateryna Poplavska, is a young woman whose mother was killed when a Russian missile struck the hospital where she worked. That young woman was heartbroken, and she also faced a profound burden. Her father was serving on the front lines, leaving her to take care of her two younger siblings. As soon as we learned this, we awarded her a scholarship so she could continue her education.

Culture of Life

From the very beginning, we have served widows and orphans. And we do the same for vulnerable mothers and their unborn children. In January, I joined our brother Knights and countless others at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. And for the 53rd year in a row, we called on the elected leaders of the United States to end abortion once and for all.

Some people have asked why we still march in Washington. Roe v. Wade is no more, and much of the debate is now taking place in the states. So people are wondering: Shouldn’t we focus on state capitals from coast to coast?

The truth is that we do fight for life in all 50 states — and we have for years. But we also need to keep up the pressure in Washington. The March for Life is a galvanizing moment, especially for young people. And it makes the pro-life cause impossible for Congress or the White House to ignore. Make no mistake: The Knights of Columbus will keep marching in Washington until America protects every human life.

Sister Mary Hostia Josephine and Sister Cora Caeli of the Sisters of Life serve as emcees during Life Fest. — Sister Mary Hostia Josephine and Sister Cora Caeli of the Sisters of Life serve as emcees during Life Fest at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Md., on Jan. 23, 2026. Cosponsored by the Sisters of Life and the Knights of Columbus, the event preceded the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Paul Haring)

We’ve also heard it said that the March for Life doesn’t really reflect the American mainstream. But that’s simply not true. Before the March, we released our annual Marist Poll, and we found that about nine out of 10 Americans want laws that protect both mothers and babies. That’s the second-highest number on record. We also found that nearly two-thirds of Americans want stronger limits on abortion. In politics, that’s called a mandate.

And the next generation gives us hope. On the morning of the March, we hosted our annual Life Fest with the Sisters of Life. Now in its fourth year, Life Fest drew more than 2,000 students. And they prove that, no matter what the media says, there is an army of young people who stand for life.

Two months ago, I joined the Sisters of Life at their gala dinner to receive a pro-life award on behalf of all of you, my brother Knights. Of course, it was an honor. But the real honor belongs to the Sisters of Life. They have done more for women and children than any of us will ever know.

The Sisters of Life serve every woman who knocks on their door, no questions asked. And across America, pregnancy resource centers are serving more women than ever before. With so much demand, they need a constant supply of outside help. And we are there for them.

Through ASAP — the Aid and Support After Pregnancy program — we have now donated more than $22 million to more than 2,700 pregnancy centers and maternity homes. And we have placed more than 2,100 ultrasound machines across the country. All told, those ultrasounds are worth more than $100 million. But that’s just money — and it’s a small price to pay for helping moms and saving babies.

Every day, our brother Knights quietly step up for life. But sometimes, they’re compelled to speak up. And the members of our first and oldest college council, at the University of Notre Dame, did exactly that. Earlier this year, Notre Dame appointed a strident abortion advocate to lead a prestigious academic center. Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend drew attention to this scandal. And our college Knights followed his lead. They contacted every pro-life group they could and organized a prayer service at the heart of campus. Together, they called on Notre Dame — Our Lady’s university — to uphold its Catholic identity, and it worked. The professor withdrew from the appointment.

We defend life in all its stages. Right now, 13 states and the District of Columbia allow the terminally ill to arrange for others to take their life. That includes the state we’re in today. And it’s now been a decade since assisted suicide was legalized in Canada. Activists sold it to the public just as they did abortion, saying it would be “safe and rare.” In fact, it’s neither. Assisted suicide now accounts for more than 5% of all deaths in Canada. And concern is growing that people with mental illness will be pushed to take their own lives — including veterans suffering from depression and PTSD.

For decades, we have proudly stood with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to fight this injustice.

Our Canadian Knights go above and beyond to serve the vulnerable, from the unborn to the terminally ill. They also set the standard for serving Indigenous communities. And they recently set the bar even higher. In the dead of winter, Manitoba Knights traveled more than 600 kilometers over frozen lakes and marshes to bring coats, wheelchairs and beds to one of the most remote Indigenous communities in Canada. Those Knights are a powerful example of Christian charity.

Insurance & Investments

We continue to uphold our original mission of charity: protecting widows and orphans.

The mutual aid society founded by Father McGivney in a church basement is now listed on the Fortune 1000. We offer a full range of products, including life insurance, annuities, disability income and long-term care insurance. And we now provide $124 billion of life insurance. Every dollar safeguards a Catholic family. And every dollar supports our charitable efforts, from vocation scholarships to Coats for Kids. That makes our insurance program truly unique — and vitally important. And it reaffirms the critical role of our insurance agents.

We now have more than 900 agents — all of them brother Knights after Father McGivney’s own heart. They deserve our full support. I’ve called on every council to make financial protection a top priority, for the sake of our families and our charity.

Knights of Columbus insurance agents gather at the Supreme Council headquarters in New Haven, Conn., in May for the second Our Lady of Guadalupe Bilingual Agents School. (Photo by Dan Bigelow)

Our insurance program is led by 68 general agents across the United States and Canada. They are central to everything we do.

We help husbands and fathers recognize their moral obligation to protect their families. And we also help them steward the resources God has given them. Through Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, we help families, religious communities and dioceses invest in line with Catholic social teaching. We now manage $30 billion, and every dollar helps build an economy that respects human dignity. And through the Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund, donors can give generously to the causes they cherish. KCCF, like all our work, fully upholds Catholic teaching. And last year, this donor-advised fund distributed more than $88.5 million to 1,975 charities around the world.

Our team has put the Knights of Columbus on a strong financial footing. And others are taking notice. Standard & Poor’s and AM Best have once again awarded us superior ratings. And Newsweek recently named Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors one of America’s top financial advisory firms.

But the best vote of confidence has come all the way from Rome. Several years ago, the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences asked us to help promote faith-consistent investing around the world. The academy had recently launched an initiative called Mensuram Bonam, which means “A Good Measure,” from Luke’s Gospel (6:38). In May, I joined a group of Vatican officials and financial experts to chart the path forward. As part of that conference, the Knights of Columbus published a white paper showing that faith-consistent investing is just as strong as secular strategies. In other words, you don’t have to choose between morality and money — because our approach delivers both.

The timing of the conference was providential. Just a few days later, Pope Leo released his powerful encyclical on artificial intelligence, Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”), which calls for technology that serves the human person, not the other way around. And ethical investing is critical to achieving this vision. We are honored to work with the Vatican on this initiative. And it shows how we continue to build on the foundation laid by Father McGivney.

In Solidarity With the Church

Archbishop Fulton Sheen is pictured with members of the Fourth Degree in this undated photo. (Knights of Columbus Multimedia Archives)

Our founder’s vision was reaffirmed by his beatification nearly six years ago. And next month in St. Louis, we will celebrate the beatification of another brother Knight — Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. We’re proud to support such a historic moment for the Church in this country.

Many of us remember Archbishop Sheen’s impact on American life. His television and radio programs reached millions of people, reminding us all that “Life Is Worth Living.” He was a featured speaker at two Supreme Conventions in the 1970s. And I personally witnessed his magnetic faith when I was growing up in Michigan. He came to Holy Family Church in the Diocese of Lansing to preach a parish mission. Our pastor actually asked my parents to host Archbishop Sheen for dinner, and that evening, sitting in our living room, we spent hours listening to his stories.

Archbishop Sheen told us about the time he visited a leper colony in Uganda, where he handed out crucifixes. But one of the lepers was horribly disfigured, and when he drew near, Archbishop Sheen drew back out of fear and disgust. He awkwardly dropped a crucifix into the leper’s diseased hand, unwilling to get any closer.

But as the day went on, he realized that he had failed to do what our Lord would have done. So he went back to find that man. He apologized and embraced him as a brother in Christ.

Pope Leo XIV greets the Board of Directors at a private audience in the Sala Concistoro of the Apostolic Palace on Oct. 6, 2025, during their pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee Year. (Photo by Vatican Media)

As Archbishop Sheen recounted that story, my siblings and I were captivated. I was only 9 years old, but I sensed that I was in the presence of someone truly remarkable. And I join every Catholic in America in celebrating the beatification of our brother Knight — soon-to-be Blessed Fulton Sheen!

We proudly supported Archbishop Sheen’s work of evangelization during his lifetime. And to this day, we continue to support our priests and religious around the world.

On our trip to Israel, the supreme chaplain and I met with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pizzaballa, to discuss the challenges facing Christians in the region. We also visited the patriarchal seminary and spoke with the men about the difficulties they will face in ministry. These young seminarians reminded me of Father McGivney. He preached the Gospel in a hostile culture, and so will they. Before we left, I told the rector — who happens to be a brother Knight from California — that we would support the seminary and help form the next generation of shepherds for the Holy Land.

Closer to home, we continue to give generously to the formation of priests and religious. Through RSVP, we donated $4.6 million to seminarians and postulants last year alone. That’s the most we’ve ever given. And I thank all of you for making it possible.

The Baltimore Basilica, America’s first cathedral, was designed by Benjamin Latrobe, architect of the U.S. Capitol, and remains a landmark of American Catholic history, including as the site of Michael McGivney’s priestly ordination in 1877. The Knights of Columbus is providing financial support to ensure its preservation for future generations. (Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Baltimore)

We also support The Catholic University of America, the bishops’ flagship university. And today, I am delighted to announce that we’re helping CUA anchor its theology department with a new academic chair, the Blessed Michael McGivney Chair in Moral Theology. Its inaugural holder, Father José Noriega, spent 18 years teaching at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute in Rome, and since 2022 has taught at the seminary here in Denver.

Across the street from CUA is the Saint John Paul II National Shrine. It’s a spiritual home for students, Knights and pilgrims from around the world. We’ve now expanded its reach by purchasing the Washington Retreat House next door. And later this month, on the feast of Our Lady of Częstochowa, we will bless and officially open the new Saint John Paul II Retreat House.

As Denver knows well, Pope John Paul II was a powerful voice for evangelization, and so is Pope Leo XIV today. We recently provided financial support for the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, which reaches more than 20 million Catholics in more than 90 countries. We are also working with the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments to preserve documents from the Second Vatican Council. And we are partnering with the Pontifical Commission for Latin America in preparation for the 500th anniversary of the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Order’s patroness.

In October, Pope Leo expressed his personal gratitude in a private audience granted to our Board of Directors. He specifically thanked the Knights for our “continued devotion to the Vicar of Christ.” And we thanked him for guiding the Church in these challenging times. With so much war and division in the world, Pope Leo’s message of peace and unity is urgently needed.

The history of Catholicism in this country is closely tied to the Archdiocese of Baltimore. It was the nation’s first diocese. Young Michael McGivney attended seminary there, and he was ordained in the Cathedral of the Assumption — America’s first cathedral.

The Baltimore Basilica, as it’s known today, is an architectural treasure. But even more importantly, it is an enduring witness to faith and an icon of religious liberty. For these reasons, we are providing major support to ensure that the Baltimore Basilica remains a vibrant spiritual home for future generations of Catholic Americans.

We’re providing this support in honor of our supreme chaplain, who has led the Archdiocese of Baltimore with tireless devotion for 14 years while also serving as our chaplain for more than two decades. In May, he celebrated his 75th birthday. And looking back on his years of ministry, it is clear that Archbishop William Lori has been a great gift to the entire Church!

¡Viva Cristo Rey!

Mexico West State Chaplain Father Eduardo Salcedo Becerra incenses the holy relics of all the canonized and beatified Mexican martyrs. — Mexico West State Chaplain Father Eduardo Salcedo Becerra incenses the holy relics of all the canonized and beatified Mexican martyrs — including six saints and three blesseds who were members of the Knights of Columbus — during the Mexican Knights’ annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Martyrs of Christ the King in Guadalajara, Mexico. Under construction since 2007, the shrine has received major financial support from the Knights of Columbus. (Photo by Carlos Elizondo)

This year, we remember the Mexican priests and faithful who gave their lives during the Cristero War. The centennial began this month. And as we look to the future of the Church on this continent, it is worth recalling this powerful chapter of our past.

The Cristero War began as a response to religious persecution by the government of Mexico. While the Mexican people were — and still are — renowned for their deep faith, many of their leaders hated the Catholic Church. They outlawed religious orders and religious vows. They stripped churches of their property and claimed it for the state. The government even banned priests from celebrating the sacraments.

But the Mexican people refused to accept this attack on our Catholic faith. They fought back, and the Knights of Columbus led the charge. We protected priests who risked their lives to offer Mass. And we defended communities when government troops cracked down.

By the time the war ended, more than 200,000 Mexicans had been killed. Many of them were Knights of Columbus — including six priests who were canonized in 2000. Thanks to their sacrifice, Mexico’s vibrant faith endures to this day.

The New Haven Evening Register reports July 30, 1926, that Catholic churches were “crowded to capacity” during the final liturgies before the outbreak of the Cristero War. — The *New Haven Evening Register* reports July 30, 1926, that Catholic churches were “crowded to capacity” during the final liturgies before the suspension of religious services and the outbreak of the Cristero War. (Knights of Columbus Multimedia Archives)

The Cristero War brought out the best of the Knights — and not just in Mexico. In the United States, we raised more than $1 million in charitable support — a massive sum in the 1920s. We shined a light on the atrocities, welcomed exiles and refugees into our own communities, and lobbied the U.S. government to push for peace, which finally arrived after three long years.

We’re preparing a documentary to mark the centennial of the Cristero War. It will tell the story of why the war mattered — and the role the Knights of Columbus played in it.

As we remember the Cristero War, we rededicate ourselves to defending our faith around the world. Whether it is the war in Ukraine, Christian persecution in Nigeria or hostility to faith in the Western world, we place our hope in Jesus Christ. And like those who fought and died in the Cristero War, we raise our voices and boldly declare, ¡Viva Cristo Rey!

Patriotism

Sergey Eylanbekov sculpts a clay model for a statue of St. Michael the Archangel, one of two statues commissioned by the city of Quincy, Mass. The ACLU sued to stop their placement, claiming that Quincy could not honor its first responders in this way because the statues of St. Michael and St. Florian have religious significance to some. The city is being defended by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, and the Knights of Columbus filed an amicus curiae brief with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. (Photo courtesy of Sergey Eylanbekov)

This year marks another milestone: the 250th anniversary of the United States. And one month ago today, on the Fourth of July, we celebrated American independence as proud citizens and patriots.

Our faith compels our love of country, and we have always made this clear. When Father McGivney founded the Order, elite society despised Catholics and questioned our loyalty. We were told that you could be a good American or a good Catholic, but not both. That was wrong then, and it’s wrong now.

Catholics have been patriots at every moment of American history. A Catholic, Charles Carroll, signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Two Catholics, Thomas FitzSimons and Daniel Carroll, signed the U.S. Constitution 11 years later. And in 1789, Daniel’s younger brother, John Carroll, was appointed America’s first Catholic bishop. Catholics were present at the nation’s founding — and ever since, our contributions have been immense.

In the 19th century, the United States — this “city on a hill” — beckoned Catholics from around the world. And two years after Father McGivney founded the Knights, the U.S. bishops declared that America’s Founding Fathers built “better than they knew.” This country reflects so much of the Church’s teaching. And for this reason, generations of Catholics have given America their love and labor — and many have given their very lives.

The Church teaches that, at its heart, patriotism is a matter of gratitude. And we have much to be grateful for — our homes, our parishes, our families and our freedom. We thank God for all these gifts. And we pledge to defend them with all our heart.

One brother Knight did just that 25 years ago next month. Chuck Costello was beginning his day in Manhattan, working as an elevator technician. But 2 miles away, the worst terrorist attack in American history was unfolding. To the shock of all, a plane slammed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Most people wondered if it was some kind of accident. But when a second plane struck the South Tower, there was no question — our country was under attack.

Most people ran from the twin towers. But not Chuck Costello. He ran 20 blocks toward those burning buildings. He rushed into the North Tower, where he rescued people who were trapped. Then he made his way into the South Tower. A few minutes later, it collapsed. They searched for his body for 117 days. And when he was found, like a good Knight, Chuck Costello had a rosary in his pocket.

Knights of Columbus volunteers escort wounded, ill and injured veterans during the 2026 Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage. — Knights of Columbus volunteers escort wounded, ill and injured veterans during the 2026 Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage, held in conjunction with the 66th annual International Military Pilgrimage (PMI). The PMI officially began in 1958 to promote peace and reconciliation after World War II. (Photo by Tamino Petelinsek)

We remember every American who has sacrificed his or her life for our freedom. And we honor all the Knights who have worn the uniform of their nations. Thousands of Knights are serving today. And we serve them through our 68 military councils around the world.

Since 2014, we’ve helped wounded, ill and injured heroes find healing through our Warriors to Lourdes pilgrimage. In May, I joined more than 100 service members there and was deeply moved. These men and women have paid a steep price for their patriotism. And our patriotism demands that we support them in every way we can.

In preparation for next year, we’re launching a program for councils and assemblies to sponsor a warrior’s pilgrimage to Lourdes. You can prayerfully accompany them before, during and after their journey. And today, I ask every council and assembly to sponsor a warrior. These wounded heroes need our help to find hope and healing through Our Lady’s intercession.

Whether we wear the uniform or not, every Knight is called to patriotism. The Church teaches that, at its heart, patriotism is a matter of gratitude. And we have much to be grateful for — our homes, our parishes, our families and our freedom. We thank God for all these gifts. And we pledge to defend them with all our heart. This is why the Fourth Degree was created in 1900. And in this 250th anniversary year, I urge every Knight to join the Patriotic Degree. I’m grateful to our more than 374,000 Fourth Degree Knights for their love of country.

I’m also grateful to all our Knights, past and present, who have helped America realize its promise. A century ago, we fought for the rights of African Americans and Jewish Americans when few others would. We have fought to protect and expand religious liberty in Catholic schools and the public square. And at this very moment, we have taken the fight for religious liberty to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

We’re helping defend the city of Quincy, where there’s been a council since 1921. The police and fire departments plan to put up statues of their patron saints — St. Michael and St. Florian. But anti-religious activists are suing. They claim the statues are unconstitutional because they are religious. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty has taken up the case, and we have filed an amicus brief in support. And let me be clear: America was built on freedom of religion — not freedom from religion. And if anything, this country needs more statues of saints!

The U.S. Supreme Court is also hearing a momentous religious liberty case — and it started here in Colorado. Government authorities say that if parish schools want to participate in the state’s universal preschool program, they must abandon Catholic teaching on marriage and gender. Think about that. These Catholic schools are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for equal treatment.

And the government has no right to dictate what Catholics believe or teach.

Patriotism Fourth Degree.jpg — Sir Knight Michael Davenport, district marshal of the Archdiocese of Washington District, stands at attention during the 2025 National Columbus Day Celebration in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Matthew Barrick)

This case was filed by the Archdiocese of Denver, and we pray that we will soon celebrate victory at the United States Supreme Court.

Catholics have made this country better for 250 years. And we must continue to bring out America’s best for the next 250 years. Sadly, our culture is growing more hostile to faith. So we need to put our faith into action like never before. In his message to America, Pope Leo has called us “to strengthen [this] nation in the principles that guided [our] Founding Fathers.” And Archbishop Lori laid out a roadmap earlier this year in his pastoral letter on renewing our political culture. Writing from America’s Premier See, he called us to “consider not only who we have been and who we are becoming — but [also,] by God’s grace, who we are called to be.”

One story from our history illustrates the kind of leadership we need to show. Seventy-five years ago, our Board of Directors declared that every U.S. council should add two words to the Pledge of Allegiance — “under God.” We then lobbied Congress to follow our lead. And in 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill that enshrined these words in federal law. Much has changed in this country since that day. But one thing has not changed. The United States is still one nation under God!

Conclusion

The U.S. bishops invited us to reflect on this truth in June. In preparation for the nation’s 250th anniversary, they consecrated the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It’s fitting, really. The Sacred Heart was a beloved devotion for many of the immigrants who came to these shores. Father McGivney himself grew up in a home with an image of the Sacred Heart, and the devotion was central to his priesthood. In our time, the Sacred Heart speaks to Knights around the world — from France to Mexico to the Philippines. And now this devotion has taken on new significance for Americans.

We were honored to support the national consecration. And thanks to our French Knights, we were able to provide a special grace. They brought us the major relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the great visionary and apostle of the Sacred Heart, from the shrine at Paray-le-Monial. We brought her relics to Orlando for the national consecration. We also brought them to the Saint John Paul II National Shrine for the Fourth of July, and now the relics are here with us in Denver.

U.S. bishops venerate the major relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque following the Mass at the basilica. The relics of the French nun and mystic who promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart were brought from France by the Knights. (Photo by Paul Haring)

In light of the national consecration, I have called on every U.S. council to offer 250 hours of Eucharistic adoration and 250 works of mercy in the coming year. I also urge every family to enthrone an image of the Sacred Heart in their home. And I encourage you to participate in our Sacred Heart Pilgrim Icon Program. Nearly 2 million people have already prayed before that image.

The Sacred Heart is where we find the courage to serve and the strength to love, as Christ did. And one brother Knight especially embodied that courageous, sacrificial love. His home was Colorado. His name was Kendrick Castillo.

Seven years ago, Kendrick went to class like any other day, with a rosary in his pocket. He was a high school senior, and in less than a week he would graduate. Life was full of promise for that young man. But as he sat in class that morning, another student came in and pulled out a gun.

Kendrick Castillo stands beside his father, John, and another member of Southwest Denver Council 4844 during a pancake breakfast. Kendrick volunteered with the council regularly and looked forward to becoming a Knight himself. He was posthumously inducted into the Knights of Columbus by acclamation at the 137th Supreme Convention in Minneapolis in 2019. (Photo courtesy of John and Maria Castillo)

Kendrick had only a second to decide. He could dive under his desk and save himself. Or he could dive in front of the shooter and save everyone else. In that moment, Kendrick Castillo made his choice. And in the moment that followed, he gave his life so that his friends would live.

We soon learned that Kendrick had always wanted to be a Knight, just like his father. He volunteered with us whenever he could — pancake breakfasts; council fundraisers. His dad’s council became like an extension of his family.

But Kendrick had only just turned 18. And he died before he could join us. But make no mistake: Kendrick Castillo lived like a Knight. At our Supreme Convention in 2019, we posthumously welcomed him into the Order.

I am so grateful his parents could join us today. John and Maria, we will always look up to your son, our brother Knight, Kendrick Castillo!

A new memorial to Kendrick Castillo was unveiled in Highlands Ranch, Colo., on Nov. 14. The memorial, along with Kendrick’s grave in Littleton, has become a place of pilgrimage for Knights and many others inspired by his heroic sacrifice. (Photo by Tamino Petelinsek)

Kendrick gave his life for the sake of others. And that’s what Father McGivney did. He died young, at just 38 years old, after exhausting his strength in tireless ministry. He poured out his heart to build up his parish, his community and his brother Knights. And now Blessed Michael McGivney is guiding us. He is united with our Lord. And we are building on the foundation he laid — a foundation of unity in our faith.

We pray today for Father McGivney’s intercession — and for his canonization. We pray for the strength to follow in his footsteps as we serve the Church. Everything we do, we do out of love for Jesus Christ. And everything we are, we attribute to his grace and guidance. He is the source and summit of our lives. And as Pope Leo reminds us, “In the One, we are one.” Today, we turn to the Lord in celebration and thanksgiving. And we pledge anew to serve and to sacrifice — as brothers in Christ and as Knights of Columbus. Vivat Jesus!

An aerial view shows the Sanctuary of Christ the King in Guanajuato, Mexico’s geographic center.

2026 Annual Report of the Supreme Knight

Membership

Evangelization

Charity & Global Relief

Culture of Life

Insurance & Investments

¡Viva Cristo Rey!

Patriotism

Conclusion

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