At the Service of Spiritual Renewal: Papal Greeting to the 140th Supreme Convention

Oct. 1, 2022

Greetings from Pope Francis sent to Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and the Supreme Convention by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin

By Cardinal Pietro Parolin

Oct. 1, 2022

Pope Francis Waving — CNS photo/Paul Haring

Dear Mr. Kelly,
His Holiness Pope Francis sends greetings and prayerful good wishes to all those assembled in Nashville, Tennessee, from 2-4 August next for the 140th Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus. It is his hope that the Convention, the first to meet in person following the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, will be an enriching experience of renewing friendships, forging new bonds of fraternity and reflecting on the challenges and opportunities facing the Knights, their councils and indeed the entire Church, in the wake of the global health crisis. He willingly joins the delegates and the invited dignitaries and guests in honoring Past Supreme Knight Carl Anderson for his years of distinguished leadership and in pledging prayerful support and encouragement to you in your task of guiding the Order in fidelity to its founding principles of Christian charity, unity and brotherhood.

The theme of this year’s Convention “Into the Breach” recognizes the firm commitment of the Knights to contribute to the renewal of the Church’s life and mission at this critical moment in her history. As is well known, the crisis occasioned by the outbreak of the pandemic affected not only public health but also the entire network of relations in society, with lasting consequences for the life of families and communities. Nor were our Catholic communities spared. Indeed, one of the urgent tasks facing the Church at every level in the immediate future is that of restoring vibrant parish life, rebuilding the works of the apostolate and reaching out pastorally to those who, for whatever reason, have yet to return to full participation in the Church’s sacramental life. His Holiness is convinced that the Knights will find creative ways to place their ingenuity, generosity and trust in God’s grace at the service of this urgent task of spiritual renewal, and so play a vital role in ensuring that individuals and parishes emerge from the crisis in an even better state than before. He is particularly grateful for the efforts of the Order to emphasize the centrality of the Mass in the life of the Church, not only through programs of catechesis but also by fostering devotion to our Lord’s real presence in the Eucharist and by encouraging the praiseworthy practice of Eucharistic adoration.

The theme of this year’s Convention “Into the Breach” recognizes the firm commitment of the Knights to contribute to the renewal of the Church’s life and mission at this critical moment in her history.

In these months, as the Church throughout the world engages in a synodal journey of prayer, listening and discernment of the signs of the times (cf. Mt 16:3), the Holy Father is confident that the Knights, in the spirit of Blessed Michael McGivney, will discover innovative ways to inspire young Catholic men to serve our Lord and his Church, to share in the Order’s high ideals of faith and fraternity, and to join in its charitable works. The Knights have traditionally worked for the spread of God’s Kingdom and the building up of society above all through their quiet fidelity to prayer, their steadfast devotion to their vocation as husbands and fathers, and their frequently hidden service to the poor and needy in our midst. As it becomes increasingly evident that our societies stand at a moral crossroads, this testimony, together with the outstanding public witness of your Order to the defense of marriage and the family, and to the God-given dignity of all human life, represents a precious service to the culture of life, the common good and the renewal of the social fabric in accordance with the values of the Gospel.

The Supreme Convention is meeting at a time when a new and devastating conflict has broken out in Ukraine, to be added to all those other situations of conflict that constitute, as the Holy Father has often stated, a third world war fought piecemeal. From the outbreak of hostilities, the Knights have been in the forefront of efforts to address the grave humanitarian crisis resulting from the displacement of countless civilians, providing much-needed food, medicine and clothing to the refugees. His Holiness is especially grateful for the choral participation of the members of your Order in the Church’s continuing campaign of prayer to end this senseless and brutal explosion of violence, and he encourages the Knights and their families to renew daily the act of consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He is greatly consoled by the solidarity shown to the suffering Ukrainian people through the efforts of the Knights in that country, in cooperation with the local Churches, to meet so many immediate material and spiritual needs. He likewise expresses appreciation for the practical support given through the Knights of Columbus Ukraine Solidarity Fund^®, which is not merely a means of charitable outreach but a concrete way of fostering communion with your brother Knights in that war-torn land.

Finally, the Holy Father has asked me to renew his appreciation for the constant care shown by your Order for persecuted Christians, especially in the Middle East and Africa, and your efforts to promote religious freedom in the service of justice, solidarity and human fraternity. Nor can he fail to express his gratitude for the unfailing assistance given by the Knights of Columbus to his ministry as Pastor of the Universal Church.

Commending the deliberations of the Supreme Convention to the loving intercession of Our Lady, Mother of the Church, His Holiness cordially imparts his Blessing to all the Knights and their families as a pledge of joy and peace in Jesus her divine Son.

Yours sincerely,

Cardinal Pietro Parolin signature
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State

Pope Leo XIV speaks with Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori.

At the Service of Spiritual Renewal: Papal Greeting to the 140th Supreme Convention

Related Articles

K of C News

Visible Signs of Devotion

Visible Signs of Devotion

K of C News

CUA Chaplain Receives McGivney Medal

CUA Chaplain Receives McGivney Medal

K of C News

Distinguished by Faith in Action

Distinguished by Faith in Action

K of C News

Heralds of Hope

Heralds of Hope

K of C News

International Family of the Year Puts Faith and Charity First

International Family of the Year Puts Faith and Charity First

K of C News

‘A True Renaissance Woman’

‘A True Renaissance Woman’

K of C News

‘The Source of Our Hope’

‘The Source of Our Hope’

K of C News

‘Christ at the Center’

‘Christ at the Center’