‘Moving Forward Together’

June 10, 2026

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly encourages state deputies to inspire and evangelize through their witness of charity

By Columbia staff

June 10, 2026

Supreme Officers and state deputies gather outside St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., during the Organizational Meeting of State Deputies on June 5. (Photo by Paul Haring)

Knights of Columbus leaders from around the world gathered in New Haven, Connecticut, for the annual Organizational Meeting of State Deputies June 4-7.

More than 70 state deputies from the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Guam, Poland, Ukraine, France and the Republic of Korea united in prayer and fraternity while preparing for the upcoming fraternal year through workshops, planning sessions and social events. Many also met with their state chaplains, whose annual meeting in New Haven was held June 3-6.

On June 5, 33 newly elected state deputies were installed at the conclusion of a Mass at St. Mary’s Church, the birthplace of the Order. Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore was the principal celebrant, with more than 35 state chaplains and associate state chaplains concelebrating.

In his homily, the supreme chaplain pointed to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a model of true humility — a necessary quality for leaders.

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori delivers the homily during Mass at St. Mary’s Church. — Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori delivers the homily during Mass at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., on June 5. (Photo by Tamino Petelinšek)

“It is because of this humility, both divine and human, that Jesus courageously led the way into the valley of darkness ... not with force but with a sacrificial love,” Archbishop Lori said. “Do not forget that humility is foundational to leadership. If we would be great leaders in the Knights of Columbus, our hearts must be conformed to Jesus, who has a meek and humble heart.”

Following the Mass and conferral of medals of office, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly addressed the state deputies and chaplains during a luncheon, commending them for their accomplishments over the past year and outlining goals for the year ahead. Last year, the Order welcomed more than 101,000 new Knights — the most since the end of World War I, the supreme knight said.

“People often ask me … how are you doing that?” Supreme Knight Kelly said. “The answer, really, is that we’re meeting the moment that we’re in right now, in our culture, in our society. … We’re giving young men a sense of meaning and a sense of coherence and a sense of purpose.”

Reflecting on the United States’ 250th anniversary and the centennial of the Cristero War in Mexico, the supreme knight said that Knights in every jurisdiction are called to follow the example of those who came before them by putting their faith into action.

“These anniversaries inspire us. But they should also make us ask this: How do we follow the example of those who came before us? How do we lead the Knights of Columbus today?” Supreme Knight Kelly said. “I believe our success in the future depends on our fidelity to Father McGivney’s vision. And the heart of that vision was charity. McGivney charged us with protecting widows and orphans — a mission that we embrace to this day. We serve the vulnerable with a charity that both inspires and evangelizes. And each of you in your jurisdictions is a vital part of that mission.”

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly confers the medal of office on District of Columbia State Deputy Joshua R. Bryant as Bryant’s wife, Joanna, looks on. (Photo by Paul Haring)

The supreme knight noted the Order’s record charitable activity during the past year, including more than $200 million in charitable donations and more than 48 million volunteer service hours worldwide.

“From the start, we were all about serving the vulnerable with a charity that inspires and evangelizes,” Supreme Knight Kelly said. “Now, 144 years later, each of you continues that mission.”

He also pointed to Cor as one example of how the Order is helping men encounter Christ and deepen their faith. Since the Orderwide initiative launched in 2023, more than 6,200 councils have implemented Cor, with more than 1,200 councils joining the initiative in the past year.

“This is a powerful moment for the Knights of Columbus,” the supreme knight said. “We are uniquely positioned to help young men put their faith into action, together with their friends. I think the Lord is opening a door for us at this point in our culture’s history and in the history of the Knights of Columbus, and now it’s our job to seize the moment and move forward together.”

Business sessions and workshops throughout the weekend provided state deputies with additional resources to grow faith formation programs and expand membership within their jurisdictions. The meeting also offered opportunities for collaboration among state leaders and chaplains as they prepared for the new fraternal year.

On June 4, as part of the coinciding State Chaplains Meeting, Archbishop Lori led more than 40 state chaplains on a pilgrimage to sites associated with the life of Blessed Michael McGivney, including Waterbury, where he was born; St. Thomas Church in Thomaston, where he served as pastor from 1884 until his death in 1890; and Immaculate Conception Church in Terryville, a mission church where he also served.

In his homily during Mass at Immaculate Conception Church, the supreme chaplain reflected on Blessed Michael McGivney’s personal devotion to the Sacred Heart.

“What [Father McGivney] left behind was a legacy of priestly love and self-sacrifice,” Archbishop Lori said. “In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus says, ‘By their fruits you shall know them.’ … The Knights of Columbus reflects the truth and love of the Sacred Heart that found a home in his priestly heart.”

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly delivers his keynote address during the Organizational Meeting of State Deputies. — Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly delivers his keynote address to state deputies, state chaplains and other guests during the Organizational Meeting of State Deputies in New Haven, Conn., on June 5. (Photo by Paul Haring)

Following Mass, Archbishop Lori blessed a statue of the Sacred Heart believed to have been purchased for the parish by Father McGivney. Lost in storage for many decades, the statue was recently rediscovered and placed outside Immaculate Conception Church.

During Mass for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi on Sunday, June 7, Archbishop Lori urged the assembled leaders to find their satisfaction and strength in the Eucharist.

“The Eucharist is a sign of unity in the bond of charity,” he said. “Just as manna in the desert somehow kept the people of Israel together, so it is the Eucharist that binds the Church together in charity, and it is the Eucharist that enables us as Knights to live our principles of charity and unity, to do so as a fraternity journeying toward our true homeland in heaven.”

In his closing remarks during the final business session on Sunday, Supreme Knight Kelly re-emphasized the important role the Knights play in supporting young people searching for meaning and purpose.

“[Pope Leo] talked about how young people are ‘looking for something more, a spiritual dimension in their lives,’” the supreme knight said. “The pearl of great price that we have to offer to the world, to the Church, is the Knights of Columbus, is this brotherhood, and this family that is the Knights of Columbus.”

Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly accepts the John Cardinal O’Connor Award on behalf of the Knights of Columbus from Mother Mary Concepta, superior general of the Sisters of Life.

‘Moving Forward Together’

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