Love of God, Service to Country

October 2, 2026

College Knights are encouraged to be faithful citizens and patriotic leaders at their annual conference

By Columbia staff

October 2, 2026

College Knights gather at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., Sept. 26. (Photo by Paul Haring)

More than 200 representatives of 90 Knights of Columbus college councils around the world gathered in New Haven, Connecticut, for the 61st annual Knights of Columbus College Councils Conference Sept. 25-27. This year’s theme, “One Nation Under God,” encouraged college Knights to embrace the virtue of patriotism and marked the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and 75 years since the Order began its successful campaign to add the words “under God” to the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance.

The event began with the annual awards dinner on Friday, Sept. 25, where Star Council Award recipients, program award winners and the Outstanding College Council Award winner were announced. Throughout the weekend, college Knights participated in daily Mass, panel discussions, guest lectures and other opportunities for prayer and fraternity. The conference also included a Fourth Degree exemplification at St. Mary’s Church, the birthplace of the Order, on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Andrew Darcy, a Knight and managing director and head of geopolitical strategy at Roberts & Ryan, a service-disabled veteran-owned investment firm, delivered the evening’s keynote address. A former U.S. Navy officer and Navy SEAL, he drew a connection between his military experience and the mission of the Knights of Columbus.

Andrew Darcy delivers the keynote address during the awards dinner at the College Councils Conference. — Andrew Darcy, a Knight and former Navy SEAL, delivers the keynote address during the awards dinner at the College Councils Conference in New Haven, Conn., Sept. 25. (Photo by Mike Ross)

“Every one of you, and every one of your councils, is a community of men working toward a mission bigger than any one individual, and that’s something I know a little bit about,” Darcy said. “Mission, teamwork, brotherhood. These lessons line up almost exactly with the first three principles of the Knights: charity, unity, fraternity. Father McGivney understood what SEAL teams understand: Men are made for mission, and they are made for each other.”

Reflecting on the conference theme, Darcy emphasized patriotism as a call to service and action.

“It’s service as an expression of gratitude,” Darcy said. “You don’t serve because you owe a debt you can repay. You serve because you’ve been given something so great that the only fitting response is to give yourself in return. That’s also the logic of the Gospel. We love because he loved us first, and I suggest to you that a Catholic man who loves his faith and loves his country is exactly what this nation needs.”

This year, South Dakota State University Council 15457 received the Outstanding College Council Award for exceptional fraternal spirit and dedication to the Order’s mission. Through community prayer and participation in Cor, the council fosters Catholic brotherhood on campus. The council expanded its campus outreach by collaborating with the Catholic Daughters of the Americas to host a formal fundraiser. To deepen their faith, the brothers also completed a pilgrimage up Black Elk Peak, carrying a cross in devotion to Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk — a Lakota missionary and catechist who taught the Catholic faith among his people in South Dakota.

Grand Knight Andrew Levandowski of Council 15457 said he is inspired by his council’s efforts to bring people closer to Christ. “If this council wasn’t here, this university would really miss out on the brotherhood that we do offer,” he said.

Supreme Secretary John Marrella stands with representatives of South Dakota State University Council 15457. — Supreme Secretary John Marrella stands with representatives of South Dakota State University Council 15457 after the council received the Outstanding College Council Award at the College Councils Conference in New Haven, Conn., Sept. 25. (Photo by Mike Ross)

University of Notre Dame Council 1477 placed second for outstanding college council. The council promotes spiritual devotion and pro-life values on campus. Over the past year, the council hosted formation talks on marriage, gathered the community for a Requiem Mass in memory of its grand knight’s late father and led campus-wide efforts to support life.

Third place for outstanding college council went to St. Mary’s University Council 18327 in San Antonio. The 3-year-old council has built a brotherhood through Cor meetings and public rosaries. The council also celebrates the university’s cultural traditions by organizing Las Posadas celebrations.

There are 138 active college councils in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Poland, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Of these, 50 earned the Star Council Award this year. The following councils were also honored for excellence in the Faith in Action program categories:

Faith Award: J.H. Newman Council 15452 at the University of Kentucky in Lexington

Family Award: James Madison University Council 9286 in Harrisonburg, Virginia

Community Award: St. Augustine Council 15859 at Indiana University in Bloomington

Life Award: Father Thomas D. Kraft, O.P., Council 14764 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City

On Saturday, college Knights heard talks on Catholic patriotism, faith and finance, and religious freedom. They also participated in a panel discussion with fellow college Knights.

College Knights participate in a discussion during the College Councils Conference in New Haven. — College Knights participate in a discussion during the College Councils Conference in New Haven, Conn., Sept. 27. (Photo by Paul Haring)

The conference concluded Sept. 27 with remarks from Supreme Master Michael McCusker, who encouraged college Knights to trust in God’s plan despite life’s challenges and frustrations.

“There’s no rhyme or reason, it’s just faith and trust in God and in the beautiful plan he has for your life,” the supreme master said. “The most important time is the time that is allotted here in this moment, for you to be true patriots, for you to be sons of God committed to doing his work here on earth.”

John Knighton, grand knight of Blessed John XXIII Council 14341 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and chairman of the College Councils Advisory Board, said his hope from the conference is that college Knights will return to their parishes and councils with a renewed sense of patriotic duty.

“I would pray that our college Knights understand that while a conference like this is beautiful and brings us together on a larger level, what is most important is the work they are doing at their own councils and parishes,” Knighton said. “Patriotism starts at home with love of family, and I pray that our Knights are equipped and willing to embody genuine piety and patriotism throughout their lives.”

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