"Knights of Columbus" 

April 27, 2010
Year for the Priest

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have always enjoyed being with the Knights of Columbus. I was challenged by a sergeant in my United States Army unit to join. At that time, I thought to myself that’s all that I need to be a member of one more organization. But I found the Knights to be different. They were serious about their faith and they wanted to make a difference.

As I learned more about the history of the organization, I discovered that their founder Father Michael J. McGivney (whose cause for sanctity is being promoted) banded Catholics together for fraternal support. He experienced the prejudice leveled against the immigrant Catholics who professed their faith and so he designed the Knights to defend their faith and offer support to families who might experience the loss of a husband or father. During the years of my priesthood my esteem for the Knights of Columbus continued to grow. They always seemed ready to help.

Last Saturday I attended the Wisconsin State Convention of the Knights of Columbus where I was principal celebrant at the Mass and an invited guest at their banquet. Most Catholics recognize the Knights as those men dressed in capes, plumed hats, carrying swords, who act as the honor guard for the bishop in a liturgical procession. But they are so much more in terms of the good works that they perform, in raising money for the education of those who are mentally challenged, in lending their support to pro-life causes and promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life. In our society, where religion is greeted with skepticism, the Knights of Columbus and their wives wear their faith on their sleeves. During the convention, awards were given to outstanding Knights who were members of each of the five dioceses in Wisconsin and five families were recognized for their Christian charity and practice of the faith.

The Knights support the Pope and the teachings of the Church. They love their priests and they readily offer their assistance to the local bishop. Bishop Molino and Bishop Ricken were both present as a testimony to the wonderful works of the Knights in Wisconsin. They spoke to the Knights and their wives reminding them all of the necessity to be faithful to the Church, especially at this time in our Church’s history. They all shared their personal gratitude for the charitable works the Knights are known for.

Organizations and associations like the Knights of Columbus remind us of our responsibility to live our faith. They assist us in identifying ourselves as Catholics. It was good being with my brothers and sisters of the Knights of Columbus. I am proud of the Knights of Columbus and their wives and I am proud to be a fourth degree knight myself. Their friendship reminded me of the scriptural passage, “This is how all will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

See you at Mass!

Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee

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