Columbia March 2022 by Columbia Magazine

Columbia KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

MARCH 2022

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CONTENTS

Columbia MARCH 2022

VOLUME 102

NUMBER 2

Departments 3 For the greater glory of God The experience of family life teaches us how to die to ourselves and become a gift for others. By Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly

Learning the faith, living the faith Let the Lord into your heart this Lent so he can cleanse it of hidden anger, division and selfishness.

By Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

PLUS: Catholic Man of the Month

6 Knights of Columbus News Knights Join Pope Francis in Prayer for Ukraine • New Supreme Warden Installed

TOP: Photo by Mel Musto — ON THE COVER: The Annunciation by Fra Angelico (ca. 1426), Museo del Prado, Christophel Fine Art/Contributor via Getty Images

An icon of St. Joseph and the Christ Child, the centerpiece of the Order’s pilgrim icon program, is displayed during a recent prayer program event in El Paso, Texas (see page 22). The feast day of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is celebrated March 19.

Chasing Gold

With the support of his family and strengthened by his faith, Paralympic swimmer Matthew Torres competes on the world stage.

7 Fathers for Good Lent is an opportunity to offer a tenth of our year, in a special way, to the Lord. By Philip Kosloski

26 Knights in Action Reports from councils and assemblies, representing the four pillars of the Faith in Action program model

By John Burger

‘A Blessing Beyond Blessings’

Forward With Hope

A painting by Fra Angelico, completed circa 1426 for an altarpiece, depicts the Annunciation, or announcement, of the Incarnation by the Archangel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary’s “yes” to God.

An interview with Joseph McGivney about how his saintly relative’s intercession led to healing in body and soul. March for Life returns in force as the United States awaits a ruling in Dobbs.

An Art Like No Other

Iconography is more than painting — it is a profound encounter with God. By Élizabeth Bergeron, with Columbia staff

ON THE COVER

The Light of the Annunciation

With her “yes,” Our Lady, Star of the Sea, illumines our path through a darkened world. By Carrie Gress

Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practical (that is, practicing) Catholics in union with the Holy See. This means that an applicant or member accepts the teaching authority of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals, aspires to live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church.

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EDITORIAL

God’s Saving Plan A POPULAR Yiddish proverb declares,

“Man plans, and God laughs.” While this has the ring of truth, it would be a mistake to believe that God “laughs” at our plans as if he delights in thwarting our good intentions. Scripture, rather, clearly reveals God as a loving Father who knows our needs much better than we do: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” ( Jer 29:11). It can be challenging to accept God’s will and to believe that he always desires our good, especially in the face of suffering and personal setbacks. But with the eyes of faith, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28). Even in the most devastating circumstances, God’s providential hand is mysteriously at work. The epitome of this truth is the Paschal mystery, which lies at the heart of God’s plan for humanity: For the sake of our salvation, God allowed the suffering and death of his only begotten Son ( Jn 3:16). Jesus responded with total filial trust, remaining obedient to the end: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done” (Lk 22:42). Moreover, Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow him (Mt 16:24). For most disciples, doing this will not demand literal martyrdom, but it does require a surrender of will. And while this is asked of us at all times, the Church urges us to examine our lives, repent and

practice self-denial in a particular way during the season of Lent (see pages 3, 4, 7). During this holy penitential season, as we journey with Jesus into the desert and ultimately to Calvary, the Church pauses to celebrate two solemnities: the feast of St. Joseph (see page 22), and the feast of the Annunciation (see page 24). These feasts may seem unrelated to Lent, yet the lives of the saints — and especially the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph — bear eloquent witness that abandonment to God’s loving will leads to true freedom and blessedness. Mary, whose unreserved “yes” welcomed Christ himself into the world, is the perfect model of discipleship: “May it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). St. Joseph, too, “teaches us that faith in God includes believing that he can work even through our fears, our frailties and our weaknesses,” observed Pope Francis in his apostolic letter Patris Corde. “In every situation, Joseph declared his own ‘fiat,’ like those of Mary at the Annunciation and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.” In the end, God will accomplish his saving plan with or without our cooperation, but he invites us, as a loving Father, to be co-workers in his kingdom. Therefore, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect” (Rom 12:2). B Alton J. Pelowski, Editor

Featured Resource: Vivat Jesus Spiritual Planner The Knights of Columbus has published a new pocket-sized prayer guide and calendar to help men and their families strengthen their prayer lives. Titled Vivat Jesus, this practical guide includes a personalized daily prayer plan, liturgical feast days, the supreme chaplain’s monthly challenge, traditional Catholic prayers and devotions, spiritual reflections and more. The guide is a great resource for the Lenten season and throughout the year. For more information and to order, visit knightsgear.com. 2

Columbia PUBLISHER Knights of Columbus SUPREME OFFICERS Patrick E. Kelly Supreme Knight Most Rev. William E. Lori, S.T.D. Supreme Chaplain Paul G. O’Sullivan Deputy Supreme Knight Patrick T. Mason Supreme Secretary Ronald F. Schwarz Supreme Treasurer John A. Marrella Supreme Advocate

EDITORIAL Alton J. Pelowski Editor Andrew J. Matt Managing Editor Cecilia Hadley Senior Editor

Blessed Michael McGivney (1852-90) – Apostle to the Young, Protector of Christian Family Life and Founder of the Knights of Columbus, Intercede for Us.

HOW TO REACH US COLUMBIA 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven, CT 06510-3326 columbia@kofc.org kofc.org/columbia ADDRESS CHANGES 203-752-4210, option #3 addresschange@kofc.org COLUMBIA INQUIRIES 203-752-4398 K OF C CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-380-9995

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F O R T H E G R E AT E R G LO R Y O F G O D

‘You’ Before ‘I’ The experience of family life teaches us how to die to ourselves and become a gift for others By Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly

Photo by Laura Barisonzi

WAR, AND RUMORS OF WAR, natural

disasters, a pandemic — there are countless issues on a national and international level about which we can concern ourselves. If we let it, the fractious state of the world can challenge our inner peace and even overwhelm us. It is important to remember that such disturbances are mentioned and foretold in Scripture, yet Jesus tells us not to fear. “Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?”he asks (Mt 6:27). Thus, if we are tempted to needless anxiety by the latest news report, we should focus instead on what is in front of us. We can start with our own spiritual lives — including prayer and reception of the sacraments. And we can turn our attention to our own spheres of influence and to serving those around us. The start of Lent is upon us, which provides a wonderful opportunity to do just this — to clean our own spiritual houses and to make a gift of ourselves to others. For most people, this call to self-gift is most immediately lived out through the vocation of marriage and family, which is the fundamental building block of society and of the Church. As St. John Paul II reminded us in his 1994 Letter to Families, “The history of mankind, the history of salvation, passes by way of the family.” Building up Catholic families was a primary concern of Blessed Michael McGivney and the reason he founded the Knights of Columbus. Today, we remain dedicated to protecting families’ financial security, strengthening families in the faith, and coming to the aid of families in times of crisis. Our support of marriage and family life through numerous spiritual and charitable initiatives is an essential part of the Order’s identity. Speaking in his Angelus address on the feast of the Holy Family last December, Pope

Francis observed, “God chose a humble and simple family to come into our midst.” The Holy Father then reassured the faithful that, in the midst of challenges, “we learn how to be a family” and how to “walk together” in small ways. The way we do this, he said, is by putting “you” ahead of “I.” This can be tough to do, but the alternative is worse. “It is dangerous,” Pope Francis explained, “when, rather than listening to one another, we blame one another for mistakes; when, rather than showing care for each other, we become fixated on our own needs; when, instead of dialoguing, we isolate ourselves with our mobile phones.” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. We can all do better — in our marriages, families and other relationships. While dying to self and putting “you” before “I” is a lifelong goal, Lent is the perfect time to start. Men in particular need practical ways of accomplishing goals, so here are just two ideas for married men: First, choose a household task that your wife dislikes and surprise her by doing it. Second, in your daily prayer, bring your wife’s intentions to the Lord before your own (and if you are not sure of her intentions, ask her — and then listen to her answer). More broadly, we must all find ways to put others before ourselves in everyday situations. Let us, therefore, put down our phones, pause to listen, and strive to put the needs of others — especially our spouses and children — ahead of our own. In giving of ourselves freely, in putting “you” ahead of “I,” we are also putting “Him” ahead of ourselves, and we can count on receiving much more in return. In each of the four Gospels, Jesus declares this great paradox of the Christian life: “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” Vivat Jesus!

‘We must all find ways to put others before ourselves in everyday situations. Let us, therefore, put down our phones, pause to listen, and strive to put the needs of others — especially our spouses and children — ahead of our own.’

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LEARNING THE FAITH, LIVING THE FAITH

The All-Access Pass Let the Lord into your heart this Lent so he can cleanse it of hidden anger, division and selfishness By Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

IN JANUARY, I took part in the March for

Life Rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. While I waited for my turn on stage, I warmed myself in the hospitality tent and mingled with interesting people in the backstage area. Soon after I arrived, I had been given an “all-access pass” — a piece of laminated cardboard that allowed me to enter this secure area and move about freely. That evening after the march, as I disposed of the pass, I was struck by the words printed on it. I asked myself, “Does Jesus have an ‘all-access pass’ to every facet of my life? Or are there hidden chambers in my heart from which I’ve blocked him?” No doubt there are. Maybe you will find the same. So this Lent, why not give the Lord an “all-access pass” to your inmost self ? Easier said than done, of course. As we read in the Book of Jeremiah, “More tortuous than anything is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it?” God answers the prophet’s question: “I, the Lord, explore the mind and test the heart” ( Jer 17:9-10). In the same vein, the Gospel of John notes that Jesus “did not need anyone to testify about human nature” ( Jn 2:25). Christ knows us better than we know ourselves. We do not grant Jesus access to our hearts so that he can find out what’s going on there. Rather, it is so that he can help us come to terms with ourselves. We ask him to walk with us as we peer into the unhallowed hollows of our hearts. What might they be? As Knights of Columbus, we claim charity as our first principle — but charity is not limited to the good works we Knights engage in on such a massive scale. Charity also pertains to the heart. Adhering to the God who is love, we are to love as God loves. Are there hidden spaces in our hearts where we harbor anger, resentment, grudges? Recall that Jesus condemned not only outward

wrath and violence but also anger of the heart (see Mt 5:21-22). Appearing to be charitable while harboring inward hatred or indifference will not do; hidden anger eventually surfaces. Therefore, this Lent, let us ask the Lord to cleanse our hearts of anger and hatred. Consider another founding principle: unity. We profess one God in three divine persons and strive in our diversity to imitate the unity of the Trinity. We seek unity in the Order, in the Church and in wider society. Yet, while outwardly championing unity, we may find divisive attitudes and thoughts lurking in our hearts. The heart is where we hatch plots to manipulate others in order to get our own way in matters big and small. It is where we scheme to advance our pet plans, without giving sufficient thought to the common good. A heart alienated from the Lord will sow division. Lent is the time to allow Christ to cleanse our hearts of every divisive attitude. What about fraternity? Our fraternity is rooted in God as our Father and Christ, our Redeemer, as our brother. Our bonds of fraternity as Knights flow from this profound truth. We are to be a force for solidarity in the Church, the Order and wider society. Yet, how easy it is to think we are better than others or to harbor a spirit of rivalry. Equally damaging to fraternity is indifference to the plight of brother Knights and their families and anyone else in need. It is so easy to absorb such attitudes from our “me first” culture. In this season of grace, let us allow Christ to cleanse our hearts from thoughts and feelings that undermine fraternity. Many other sinful attitudes can lodge themselves in our hearts. If, this Lent, we invite Christ to shine the purifying light of his love into every corner of our souls, we will experience great freedom and joy when Easter Sunday dawns upon us. B

‘We do not grant Jesus access to our hearts so that he can find out what’s going on there. Rather, it is so that he can help us come to terms with ourselves.’

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FROM TOP: Portrait photo (probably taken by J. Tyranowski himself), date unknown, ASIK Kraków Archives — Detail of The Transfiguration by Raphael, Pinacoteca of the Vatican Museum/Wikimedia Commons — CNS photo/Paul Haring

Supreme Chaplain’s Challenge

Catholic Man of the Month

A monthly reflection and practical challenge from Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

INTROVERTED by nature and a tailor by trade, Jan Tyranowski would have likely lived a quiet life in Kraków, Poland, were it not for the words he heard in a homily at his parish in 1935: “It’s not difficult to be a saint.” This statement transformed his spiritual outlook, and he would become a fervent lay apostle to young people, including 20-year-old Karol Wojtyła, the future St. John Paul II. Tyranowski was a Kraków native who worked as an accountant before joining his father’s tailoring business. After the life-changing sermon, he took a vow of celibacy and devised a schedule of prayer and spiritual reading. Though he enjoyed hiking and photography, his life took on an almost monastic quality — until the Nazi invasion in 1939. By 1941, almost all of the parish’s Salesian clergy had been sent to concentration camps. The few remaining priests turned to lay parishioners to sustain their ministry. Terrified at first, Tyranowski eventually agreed to organize clandestine “Living Rosary” groups of 15 young men bound by

As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. … Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” (Gospel for March 13, Lk 9:33, 35) Having witnessed the Transfiguration, the three apostles did not want to leave the mountaintop. But as the vision ends, God’s voice directs them back to Jesus, who takes them back down the mountain. We might wish in our own lives for extraordinary experiences or “spiritual highs,” but even if we are granted such experiences, we are not meant to cling to them. Brothers, may we be grateful for these enriching moments, if and when they come, but remember that we fulfill our God-given mission primarily within the daily duties of our ordinary lives.

Venerable Jan Tyranowski (1901-1947)

Liturgical Calendar March 2 March 3 March 4 March 7

Challenge: This month, I challenge you to withdraw from your normal routine each day to spend some time alone with God’s word by reading and reflecting on the Gospels. Second, I challenge you to assist your council in planning for the Faith in Action Spiritual Reflection program.

March 8 March 9 March 17 March 18 March 19 March 23 March 25

Ash Wednesday St. Katharine Drexel, Virgin (USA) St. Casimir Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs St. John of God, Religious St. Frances of Rome, Religious St. Patrick, Bishop St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Doctor of the Church St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary St. Turibius of Mogrovejo, Bishop The Annunciation of the Lord

prayer and fraternity. Through this apostolate, Tyranowski was able to lead many young people into a deeper relationship with Christ. He often accompanied Wojtyła on his long walks to the Solvay factory and introduced him to the poetry of St. John of the Cross and Marian theology of St. Louis de Montfort. “In his words, in his spirituality and in the example of a life given to God alone, he represented a new world that I did not yet know,” Pope John Paul II later recounted. “I saw the beauty of a soul opened up by grace.” After a long and painful battle with tuberculosis, Jan Tyranowski died March 15, 1947. Pope Francis declared him Venerable in 2017. B

Holy Father’s Monthly Prayer Intention

We pray for Christians facing new bioethical challenges; may they continue to defend the dignity of all human life with prayer and action.

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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS

Knights Join Pope Francis in Prayer for Ukraine KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS worldwide responded to the call

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly welcomes Knights and other parishioners to a Holy Hour for Peace in Ukraine at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., Jan 26.

“During this crisis, we are especially grateful for the unconditional support of our brothers in Poland,” affirmed Ukraine State Deputy Yuriy Malecki, who also expressed his gratitude to Knights in North America. “We are grateful for your sincere prayers and support so that the people of Ukraine would not suffer the great injustice of war.” Forty councils, comprising more than 1,800 Knights, are active in Ukraine, where the Order was established in 2012. In his welcome remarks at the Holy Hour in New Haven, Supreme Knight Kelly highlighted the unique bonds of fraternity that exist in Ukraine. “The Order has been in Ukraine for almost a decade and from the beginning, our presence involved both Eastern and Western traditions,” he said, noting that councils have been formed in both Greek- and Latin-rite parishes. “The message of unity has been the key to our efforts,” the supreme knight concluded. “It is fitting that we gather in the presence of our Lord, who is truly present in the Eucharist, and who is the source of all unity.” B

New Supreme Warden Installed Jorge Carlos Estrada Avilés stands with Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori and Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly following his installation as supreme warden at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine on Feb. 11. The installation took place during a meeting of the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors, Feb. 11-13, in St. Augustine, Fla. Avilés, 63, is the state deputy of Mexico South and has served the Church in various capacities, including as national president of the Mexican National Council of the Laity (2013-2019). He and his wife, María Dolores Fritz Sierra, are the parents of five adult children. 6

TOP: Photo by Mel Musto — BOTTOM: Photo by Scott Smith

of Pope Francis for a Day of Prayer for Peace in Ukraine on Jan. 26. A Holy Hour was held at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn. — the birthplace of the Order — and Knights in Ukraine, Poland and elsewhere also organized prayer services. “We join our Holy Father, Pope Francis, in prayer for a peaceful resolution to the situation in Ukraine,” said Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly. “With Knights of Columbus joined in prayer around the world, we want our brother Knights and their families in Ukraine to know of our unity and solidarity with them.” The Holy Hour at St. Mary’s included eucharistic adoration led by Archbishop Leonard Blair of Hartford, the rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Ukrainian hymns and prayers. Bishop Paul Chomnycky of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford delivered remarks. “In individual Ukrainian Catholic parishes throughout the world, everyone is celebrating some sort of a Holy Hour, some sort of a prayer vigil for peace in Ukraine,” said Bishop Chomnycky. “We cannot despair! Because through thick and thin, through joy and sorrow, in times of bounty and of poverty, in times of conflict and of peace — God is with us!” Pope Francis called for the international day of prayer for peace on Jan. 23, as Russian troops massed near the Ukrainian border and diplomatic discussions faltered. An “Appeal of the Catholic Bishops of Poland and Ukraine to Seek Dialogue and Understanding to Avoid the Danger of Military Actions” was issued the following day. Knights in Poland responded to the bishops’ appeal by praying a rosary for peace before the image of Our Lady of Częstochowa at the Jasna Góra Monastery. “This intention is special to us as it concerns our brother Knights of Columbus and their families in Ukraine with whom we have strong ties,” explained Poland State Deputy Krzysztof Zuba. Prayer services continued in Polish parishes in the days that followed. Meanwhile, Knights in Ukraine gathered by videoconference to pray together.

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F AT H E R S F O R G O O D

Tithing Our Time to God Lent is an opportunity to offer a tenth of our year, in a special way, to the Lord By Philip Kosloski

Photo by Jeffrey Bruno

MOST PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR with the idea of “tithing,”

offering to God a tenth of one’s income. It is a biblical concept, rooted in the Book of Genesis, when Abraham gave to Melchizedek, king of Salem, “a tenth of everything” (Gen 14:20). Christians have carried on this example for centuries, and not only in regard to money. A largely lost tradition, and one well worth recovering, is to approach the 40 days of Lent — slightly more than a tenth of the year — as a spiritual tithe of our time. Time is more valuable than money. Giving money to God is, for many people, relatively easy, while giving him our time is more difficult. We do all that we can to safeguard our leisure, not wanting anyone or anything to invade it. Even making the time to go to Sunday Mass can feel challenging for some of us, as we would rather spend that hour sleeping in or watching sports. When it comes to Lent, simply crossing 40 days off the calendar cannot be considered a worthy sacrifice. If we want to make a tithe of our time, we must use those days well, turning them into a meaningful offering to God. Fortunately, the Church gives us a blueprint for how to do this. It involves taking up what the Ash Wednesday liturgy calls the “arms of Christian penance”: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Prayer: Make time in your daily routine for personal prayer, whether it be five minutes, 15 minutes or an hour. To be worthwhile, prayer need not lead to ecstatic union with God, but it should be intentional. The key is to schedule prayer in our daily calendars, making it an appointment we don’t erase, and thus a priority we won’t forget. Fasting: Observe the days of fasting and abstinence in Lent, especially abstaining from meat on Fridays. It is a simple sacrifice, but one that is intentional and reminds us of our duties to God and the agony Jesus suffered on Good Friday. In fact, we can extend this practice through the year

and abstain from meat every Friday, which remains an obligatory day of penance according to canon law. Almsgiving: The Church encourages almsgiving, an offering of money and material goods or acts of charity to the most vulnerable and those in need. Volunteering our time in service to others should come naturally for Knights and already be a part of our daily lives, but it is something we should practice with special attention during Lent. This idea of tithing our time is a particular responsibility for all husbands and fathers. It is our vocation to lead our family, and if we don’t make God a priority in our personal lives, our family won’t either. Schedule a regular time to pray as a family — whether it involves the family rosary, reading Scripture or something else. As Father Patrick Peyton famously said, “The family that prays together stays together.” Be countercultural and challenge your family to fast from TV or smartphones, particularly on Fridays. Recall that Christ fasted in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights, doing spiritual battle with Satan. Unplug and see what spiritual fruits the Lord may have in store for your family, the domestic church. Finally, look for opportunities to serve your parish or community together as a family. And more importantly, practice spiritual almsgiving within your own home. Make it a place of charity by routinely performing acts of kindness and the spiritual works of mercy — forgiving offenses willingly, bearing wrongs patiently, comforting the afflicted. We are called by God to be leaders in our families and communities whether we like it or not. In the way we use our time, we can lead our domestic churches and those around us by example, both during Lent and throughout the rest of the year. B PHILIP KOSLOSKI writes from Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., where he is a member of Msgr. Reding Council 1558. MARCH 2022 B C O L U M B I A

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CHASING

GOLD

With the support of his family and strengthened by his faith, Paralympic swimmer Matthew Torres competes on the world stage By John Burger

Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

t’s common for kids to dream big. Matthew Torres was 7 years old in 2008 when Michael Phelps was sweeping up gold medals in the Beijing Olympics, and he told his parents that he was going to do the same thing one day. He was unfazed by the fact that he didn’t know how to swim. What’s more, Torres was born without the lower half of his right leg and is missing fingers on each hand as a result of a prenatal condition. Yet none of that has held him back. Eleven years after announcing his goal, Torres took gold in both the 400-meter S8/S9 freestyle and the 100-meter S8 backstroke at the 2019 Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru. Two years later, in August 2021, he competed in the Paralympic Games in Tokyo and won bronze in the men’s 400-meter S8 freestyle. (S8 and S9 refer to levels of disability.) Just this past December, Torres set a new world record in the men’s 1,500-meter S8 freestyle at the U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships in Greensboro, N.C. He obliterated the previous record — set in 2020 — by half a minute and was named Swimmer of the Meet.

Matthew Torres, a member of Holy Rosary Council 10537 in Ansonia, Conn., competes in a 400-meter S8 freestyle heat at the Tokyo Paralympic Games on Aug. 31, 2021. MARCH 2022 B C O L U M B I A

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Torres, now a finance major and Division I swimmer at Fairfield University in Connecticut, said, “That [record] was something I’ve actually had my eye on doing for a few years now.” But such goals, he added, wouldn’t be possible without the support of his parents. “At different points in my life,” he said, “it didn’t matter what I was aiming for and what my goals were; they were always there to support me 100 percent.” He also recognizes that his talent and achievements are ultimately a gift from above. “The things that I do in the swimming pool should be credited to the glory of God,” said Torres, who joined the Knights of Columbus last June. “Everything that I’ve accomplished so far is because God has allowed me to. Without him, none of this is possible.” ‘FREEDOM IN THE WATER’ Matthew Torres grew up in Ansonia, Conn., where his family are active parishioners at Holy Rosary Church and his father, Gilberto, is a past grand knight of Holy Rosary Council 10537. His disabilities stem from amniotic band syndrome, a condition in which fibrous bands of the amniotic sac get tangled around a developing fetus. In Matthew’s case, the bands got wrapped around his right leg and some of his fingers. Gilberto and his wife, Martha, were not aware of the condition until Matthew’s birth, which was about three 10

months premature; prenatal tests had not indicated anything was wrong. Gilberto, who was standing next to Martha during the delivery, recalled, “When he was born, he tipped his head and locked his eyes with mine; I was the very first human being he looked at. We bonded right then and there.” Matthew required immediate medical attention, including a couple of surgeries. “But when he finally came home in June, it was wonderful,” Gilberto said. “Did it matter to me that he had physical issues? Absolutely not. He’s my son, and I love him no matter what. Over the years, we’ve learned as much as he has how to overcome and how to compensate for these differences.” Even before he received his first prosthetic leg, at 18 months, Matthew was crawling so fast that it was a challenge to keep up with him. As a young child, he tried out sports such as baseball and soccer, in spite of the difficulties they posed. He even organized soccer lessons for other kids with special needs. But everything changed when he started swimming. “I felt freedom in the water,” he recalled. “I was able to control my movements better compared to land sports.” Within a year, Matthew was competing for his local YMCA team, and he soon advanced to the National Junior Disability Championships. “My mom and dad found different teams for me to work with and coaches that I could start learning from,” he said.

Photos by Spirit Juice Studios

Matthew Torres reacts — and later displays his medal — after breaking the world record in the 1,500-meter S8 freestyle at the U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships in Greensboro, N.C., Dec. 18, 2021.

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“When I initially started out, obviously everyone else was just swimming laps around me. But my mother would tell me, ‘Don’t worry about them. Just focus on yourself, beating your own times and getting faster.’” It was advice coming from experience: Martha Torres had been an accomplished swimmer in her native Colombia. “She told me that eventually I could race against everyone else with two legs,” Matthew said. “That kind of motivation and support was the type that I got all the time from my parents — and I still do to this day.” Gilberto, whose parents moved to Connecticut from Puerto Rico before he was born, has been a particularly important role model. “He’s always pushed me to be a better person. He’s always encouraged me to stick to my faith, stick to building a good relationship with God,” Matthew said. “He’s also made sure that I stay responsible, motivated and dedicated to whatever I’m doing.” It was natural, then, for Matthew to follow in the footsteps of his father, a Knight for 20 years, and join Holy Rosary Council 10537 last summer. “His being a grand knight and an officer within the council certainly led me to wanting to join,” Matthew affirmed. “My father has had a very positive and large influence on my life.”

GRIT AND GRACE Torres has never felt sorry for himself because of his disabilities. To the contrary, he views his physical deficiencies as a God-given opportunity. “Personally, having a disability has really become a part of who I am. God made me this way, and I’ve embraced it, turning that into becoming a professional swimmer,” he explained. “It’s hard to say, would I even be representing Team USA if I had been a normal guy? Would I be a Division I collegiate swimmer? For all we know, I may not have been a swimmer at all.” That’s not to say Torres hasn’t done his part, of course. Aside from spending long hours in both the pool and the weight room, building up his strength and stamina and honing his talent, he regularly analyzes his performance to figure out what he needs to do to improve. “He works really hard,” said Anthony Bruno, head coach of the swimming and diving programs at Fairfield University. “He’s a jokester, which I enjoy, but he’s also focused; he’s always thinking about the next meet: ‘How can I get better?’ He’s a very disciplined person. ” It’s a quality that crosses over into other aspects of Torres’ young life. His father explained, “We’ve seen that attitude, that strength, stay with him. When he’s in school, he’s pushing

Matthew prays with his parents, Gilberto and Martha, and his grandmother Rosalba Sogamoso at Holy Rosary Church, their parish in Ansonia, Conn. MARCH 2022 B C O L U M B I A

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Matthew Torres talks with Anthony Bruno, his head coach at Fairfield University. Torres swims on the school’s Division I team in addition to competing internationally.

I helped out delivering Thanksgiving dinners as well as Christmas dinners, a beautiful council project showing the brotherly love we all share in Christ through our faith.” Torres is also thankful for the support he’s received from his brother Knights, who have periodically helped his family cover travel expenses to international competitions. “The Knights have been a big support as far as my swimming career has gone,” he said. “When they welcomed me back from the Paralympics in Tokyo, everyone congratulated me. I’m really grateful and appreciative that they’re looking out for me.” Members of Council 10537 will no doubt be there to welcome Torres back from Portugal and Paris as well. Until then, his desire to win gold and glorify God drives him on. “I think the motivation for me to keep pushing through the practices, day in and day out, comes from the long-term goal I’ve always had of being a Paralympic gold medalist and a world record holder in the 400,” Torres said. “I’m still chasing those dreams.” B JOHN BURGER writes for Aleteia.org and is a member of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Council 16253 in New Haven, Conn.

Photo by Spirit Juice Studios

hard and he brings home good grades. And we’ve seen it time and time again when he’s in the pool, that drive inside of him — he doesn’t know how to quit.” Torres is looking forward to competing in the World Championships in Portugal this coming June and the 2024 Paralympics in France. “We both think he can do something pretty special in Paris,” Coach Bruno said. Torres has already done something special at Fairfield, where he is one of the school’s first Para swimmers and, according to Bruno, has raised awareness of Para swimming significantly. “I certainly hope that in the future, if not already, I’ve inspired someone,” Torres said. “Maybe it would be starting their own swimming career, or just reaching their own personal life goals.” This attitude of wanting to help others is a primary reason why he joined the Order. “I’m a Knight of Columbus because I’ve always been someone who wants to give back to the community,” Torres said. “Because I’m a full-time college student and an athlete, my council involvement is a bit limited. In recent months,

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‘A BLESSING Beyond Blessings’

An interview with Joseph McGivney about how his saintly relative’s intercession led to healing in body and soul

Photo by Steven Martine

oseph “Joe” McGivney, a financial advisor and father of two in Florida, was aware that he shared a name and a family connection with the founder of the Knights of Columbus. But even when Father Michael J. McGivney was beatified in October 2020, the connection wasn’t especially meaningful to Joe, since he was neither a Knight nor an active Catholic at the time. That all changed several months

later, when he faced a sudden and frightening medical crisis. His unexpected recovery from that crisis led to renewed faith and trust in God; he returned to the Church and on Aug. 2, 2021, he joined the Knights of Columbus. Joe’s son, Colin, also joined on Oct. 18, 2021, just six days after his 18th birthday. “During the ceremony, I was very excited,” recalled Colin, a high school

Joe McGivney and his son, Colin, hold cards with the prayer for the canonization of their relative, Blessed Michael McGivney. Last year, Joe made a remarkable medical recovery and returned to the Church after members of his family prayed for Father McGivney’s intercession. MARCH 2022 B C O L U M B I A

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senior. “Hearing references to Father McGivney, I felt very honored for me and my family to be associated with what he has done for the Church and the world.” Joe and Colin McGivney are members of St. Peter Parish Council 13139 in Jupiter and recently joined the Fourth Degree. In the following interview for Columbia, conducted by Supreme Director Scott O’Connor, past state deputy of Florida, Joe reflects on his journey of faith and what led him and his son to become Knights.

came back on.” I did not know how I had gotten there, but suddenly I was normal, and after 30 days I was released back home. Everyone in my family told me the first person I had to call was my aunt, Geraldine McGivney Gallo. Aunt Gerry, a registered nurse, “quarterbacked” my caregiving during that time, and she filled in the blanks of what had happened to me. We also began to talk about faith, and I had this longing to turn back to my faith and family.

COLUMBIA: You had a serious health issue last year —

COLUMBIA: And your family had been praying to Blessed Michael McGivney? JOSEPH MCGIVNEY: My aunt told me that she was praying fervently to Father McGivney for my recovery. My father in Chicago and the entire family were all praying to Blessed Michael McGivney to intercede on my behalf. Then the big appointment came for me to see the neurologist. After an hourlong battery of cognitive and behavioral tests, the doctor said, “By the grace of God, I don’t need to see you again — you are 100% recovered.” I am told that 5 out of 100 who have the condition do recover, but most have some deficit. I have no deficits. I think the medical term for it would be “remarkable,” but we like to call it a miracle around my family. The story has been submitted to the McGivney Guild.

can you walk us through what happened and how it affected you? JOSEPH MCGIVNEY: On Dec. 30, 2020, I was hospitalized due to a serious and dangerous neurological condition called Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. I was a heavy drinker, and it really became very heavy when COVID happened. The company that I worked for closed every office; my role got shut down and my income dropped dramatically. My fear and anxiety started to ramp up, and my way of medicating that was alcohol. As COVID progressed, it kept getting worse. On Dec. 30, I collapsed and was admitted to the hospital. But even after I had detoxed physically, I wasn’t improving. My mental abilities were declining rapidly. After about 10 weeks, I was released to a rehab facility with the diagnosis of acute psychosis and dementia. The prognosis was not good. Typically, 20 out of 100 persons with the condition will die, and of the remaining 80 people, 75 will have lifelong serious deficits. My family was told to prepare for 24/7 care for the remainder of my life. One of the side effects of this condition is amnesia, and I have no recollection of events prior to the rehab facility. But a few days after I arrived at the facility, “the lights

“The experience I went through this past year has deepened my faith and brought me to God in a way I didn’t even know was possible. It is a blessing beyond blessings to me. To be alive to pray every day is awesome.” 14

COLUMBIA: What can you tell us about your family con-

nection to Father McGivney?

JOSEPH MCGIVNEY: I have a first cousin, Dorothea Pacini,

who has been doing research on the McGivney family genealogy for many years. About 25 years ago, she and her husband traveled to Kilnaleck, County Cavan, Ireland, where my great-grandfather, Andrew McGivney, was born. Though there was not a lot to go on, since many birth records were burned or destroyed during the Irish War of Independence, my cousin believes that my great-grandfather was either a first or second cousin to Father McGivney. This connection would occasionally come up in family conversations, especially in the last decade or so. And I do remember reading Parish Priest, which my father recommended that I get around 15 or 16 years ago. Beyond that I did not have any other real information on Father McGivney, St. Mary’s or the founding the Knights of Columbus. Since my recovery, I’ve learned more about what Blessed Michael has done, mostly by watching videos on the K of C website. I’ve also seen the information on the miracle that led to his beatification, which was really special.

COLUMBIA: How would you describe your life of faith

before your medical crisis?

JOSEPH MCGIVNEY: I had been baptized Catholic, but I

had just stopped going to Church. I wasn’t mad at anybody or against the Church. I always kept believing in God, but I never really knew how to pray and develop that relationship with him. Frankly, I thought that I would be the last guy God would have any interest in. I was very flawed, very selfish.

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Joe and Colin McGivney volunteer with their council at Hannah’s Home, a maternity residence in Tequesta, Fla.

The experience I went through this past year has deepened my faith and brought me to God in a way I didn’t even know was possible. It is a blessing beyond blessings to me. To be alive to pray every day is awesome. COLUMBIA: Why did you decide to join the Knights of

Columbus?

JOSEPH MCGIVNEY: After my adventure, I felt this over-

whelming desire to serve, to get involved somewhere I could truly help others. And over the years I’d had a couple of “God winks,” you might say, about Father McGivney and the Knights. For example, one time there was a workman over here, and when he saw my last name, he said, “Are you by any chance a Knight?” That happened again last summer. I was setting up a service appointment with someone, and he said, “Well, how come you’re not a Knight?” I thought about that and said, “You know, that’s a really good question.” So I went online and saw that there were a couple of local councils. I had started going back to church at St. Peter’s, so I joined the council there.

COLUMBIA: How did your son Colin come to join? Was Photo by Steven Martine

that at your encouragement?

JOSEPH MCGIVNEY: It was and it wasn’t. He saw me getting

involved and attending Zoom meetings and becoming more active. And we watched the video about Father McGivney, An American Blessed, together. Colin reached his own deci-

sion that he wanted to become a Knight.

COLUMBIA: In what ways have you gotten involved? JOSEPH MCGIVNEY: Initially when I joined, they weren’t

doing in-person meetings, but council activities have slowly come back. Colin and I both participated in fundraising for Wheelchair Sunday and helped with the first in-person K of C breakfast since pre-COVID. I’ve been able to volunteer twice at Hannah’s Home, which is a home for mothers in Tequesta where the Knights help out. I’ve been asked to become the council’s family program director and deputy grand knight, which I accepted gladly. I’m all in. The fellowship is great. During my prior career, I traveled a lot. On weekends, in the evenings, if I wasn’t at one of my kids’ sporting events, I was happy to stay home or just go out and have a quiet dinner with my wife and come home. I didn’t have a lot of friends who weren’t business associates. Now that’s changed and I love it. COLUMBIA: Do you feel a personal connection now with Father McGivney? JOSEPH MCGIVNEY: From what I know of Father McGivney, and I pray to him now very often, he favored the outcasts and the needy. Well, I was certainly needy spiritually, and some would say that I was an outcast. And reading about his ministry when he was a parish priest, I like to think that Father McGivney might have had a soft spot in his heart for a lapsed Irish Catholic boy like me. B MARCH 2022 B C O L U M B I A

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FORWARD WITH HOPE

ro-life advocates gathered with renewed hope this year for the 49th annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., their spirits buoyed by the significant challenge to Roe v. Wade now before the U.S. Supreme Court. Knights of Columbus from across the country, including Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and other Supreme Officers, were among the tens of thousands of people participating in demonstration on Jan. 21. Darren Tsang, a member of Georgetown University Council 6375 in Washington, led the Pledge of Allegiance to kick off the March for Life Rally on the National Mall. “There is strength in community, and we have a bigger voice as we come together, especially in the nation’s capital, to advocate for unborn,” said Tsang, who marched with several dozen college Knights from different universities. “It’s so invigorating to see all these people, and to be a voice for those who can’t be a voice for themselves.” Following the rally, the massive crowd peacefully marched down Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court building,

where oral arguments were heard in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization less than two months earlier. The case is considered the most serious challenge to Roe — the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationally — in several decades. “There’s an energy, a hopefulness in the crowd, because we know that this year is a crucial year for life,” Supreme Knight Kelly said. “We hope and pray for a good decision in the Dobbs case. We hope and pray for an end to Roe, and we hope and pray that our laws will protect children.” A new Knights of Columbus/Marist Poll, the supreme knight added, shows that a majority of Americans reject the central holding of Roe (see page 19). Knights of Columbus volunteering at the march or attending with their families, councils and parishes, expressed a sense of optimism about the legal fight against abortion. Joe Knight, grand knight of St. Louis the King Council 11898 in Clarksville, Md., has served as a marshal at the

Photo by Matthew Barrick

March for Life returns in force as the United States awaits a ruling in Dobbs

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Photo by Jeffrey Bruno

event for years, alongside dozens of other Knights from Virginia, Maryland and D.C. He hopes he won’t need to again. “Wouldn’t it be great,” he asked, “if we didn’t need to have a 50th march?” Yet even if Roe v. Wade is overruled, in whole or in part, the need to work for laws that protect the unborn will remain. Advocacy at the state level would become crucial, which is one reason the March for Life Education and Defense Fund is expanding its state march program. Also vital is the continued need to build a culture of life, Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore reminded attendees of the opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life on Jan. 20. Archbishop Lori, who serves as chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, celebrated the Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and paid tribute in his homily to the many ministries that help expectant mothers choose life and support them and their children after birth. If Roe is overturned, the supreme chaplain said, “we must redouble our efforts to accompany women and couples who are facing unexpected or difficult pregnancies, offering them loving and compassionate care.” The Knights of Columbus is prepared to answer that call, said Supreme Knight Kelly, noting the myriad ways that Knights provide material and volunteer support to pregnancy resource centers — especially through the Order’s Ultrasound Initiative (see sidebar). “Blessed Michael McGivney founded the Knights to care for the family, to care for widows and orphans,” the supreme knight said. “Today, we come to expectant mothers and their unborn children with love and support to help them make a life-affirming choice.” B

Another Lifesaving Milestone The Knights of Columbus donates 1,500th ultrasound machine, helping moms to choose life for their unborn children THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Ultrasound Initiative surpassed a major milestone on Jan. 19, placing its 1,500th ultrasound machine through its signature program in support of pregnancy centers. With Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and other K of C leaders in attendance, Bishop James Checchio of Metuchen blessed the milestone machine at First Choice Women’s Resource Center in New Brunswick, N.J. The machine was funded by Knights in the Metuchen Diocese Chapter and the New Jersey State Council with a matching grant from the Order’s Culture of Life Fund. “Knights of Columbus believe in the dignity and worth of every human life,” said Supreme Knight Kelly at the event. “We work tirelessly, through prayer and action, to support mothers and their children, both unborn and born.” Since the Ultrasound Initiative began in January 2009, Knights have donated ultrasound machines valued at more than $72 million to pregnancy resource centers in all 50 U.S. states — including more than 100 machines in Florida, California and Texas. The rate of donations

has accelerated in recent years, together with the number of medically certified pro-life pregnancy centers and requests, especially as centers expand and machines need updating. The 1,500th ultrasound machine was the eighth donation to First Choice Women’s Resource Center, which has five locations in New Jersey. The organization requested a machine through the Ultrasound Initiative as it prepared to open its newest center near Rutgers University in November 2021. “We want to give a woman all of the information she needs to make an informed decision. Offering an ultrasound is an important part of that process,” explained Aimee Huber, executive director of First Choice, which also offers counseling and material support to expectant mothers. “Women can see the heart beating, can see the formation of the baby,” added Huber, noting that an ultrasound machine helps women perceive the life of their unborn children. “It has a profound impact on the decision they make. I can’t really imagine our ministry without it.” B MARCH 2022 B C O L U M B I A

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TOP RIGHT: Photo by Spirit Juice Studios — BOTTOM RIGHT: Photo by Matthew Barrick — OTHER: Photos by Jeffrey Bruno

Clockwise, from top left: Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, gives a blessing at the opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life on Jan. 20. • Students from Christendom College in Front Royal, Va., carry the official March for Life banner, leading the crowd up Constitution Avenue on Jan. 21. • A young woman holds a K of C sign and cheers during the March for Life Rally on the National Mall. • Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, welcomes participants to the rally.

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‘The Time Has Come’ Survey finds a majority of Americans reject Roe, support greater restrictions on abortion

Photo by Jeffrey Bruno

ACCORDING TO a recent Knights of Columbus/Marist Poll, released Jan. 20, more than 3 in 5 of Americans disagree with the central holding of Roe v. Wade. While Roe asserted a constitutional right to abortion, the survey showed that 61% of Americans believe either that abortion should be illegal or that the issue should be determined by each state. Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly hailed the finding, which comes as the U.S. Supreme Court weighs Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. “Roe v. Wade was wrong when it was decided, and its legacy is the tragic destruction of more than 60 million unborn lives and countless wounded women,” the supreme knight said. “The time has come for America to turn the page on Roe.” The survey, conducted by the Marist Poll and commissioned annually by the Knights of Columbus for more than a decade, has consistently shown that a majority of Americans support substantial restrictions on abortions. The most recent poll finds that 71% of Americans oppose legalizing abortion after three

months except in cases of rape or incest, or to save the life of the mother. Only 17% think that abortion should be available at any time during a woman’s pregnancy. The latest poll also found that 3 in 4 Americans say that doctors, nurses or other health care professionals who have religious objections to abortion should not be legally required to perform them. An even larger majority — 81% — believe laws can protect both the mother and her unborn child. On the issue of taxpayer funding of abortion, 54% oppose using tax dollars to pay for abortion in the United States, while 73% — including 59% who identify as pro-choice — oppose using tax dollars to fund abortions abroad. “This is especially relevant as the bipartisan Hyde Amendment prohibiting taxpayer funding of abortion is in danger,” said Supreme Knight Kelly. “As a supermajority of Americans believe laws can protect both women and the unborn, the Knights of Columbus will continue to stand with them in supporting the dignity and worth of every human life.” B

Knights of Columbus Supreme Officers and other K of C leaders gather with college Knights in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building after the March for Life. Front, from center to right: Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly, Deputy Supreme Knight Paul O’Sullivan, Supreme Secretary Patrick Mason, Supreme Advocate John Marrella and Vice President of Public Policy Tim Saccoccia, who also serves as chairman of the board of the March for Life. MARCH 2022 B C O L U M B I A

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An Art Like No Other Iconography is more than painting — it is a profound encounter with God By Élizabeth Bergeron, with Columbia staff

The icon of St. Joseph that serves as the centerpiece of the Knights of Columbus pilgrim icon prayer program was created (or “written”) by Élizabeth Bergeron, an iconographer in Montréal. Based on a drawing by Alexandre Sobolev, the icon was originally a gift to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Saint-Hyacinthe and now resides at St. Joseph’s Oratory. The following text has been adapted from a recent interview with Bergeron about her conversion, her vocation as an iconographer and the Knights of Columbus prayer program.

Photo by George Hosek

or me, writing an icon is a form of prayer of thanksgiving for all that God has given me. You see, until the age of 46, I sort of lived in dribs and drabs. When I was a child, someone heard me say, “I adore my father” and told me, “You cannot worship anyone other than God. You are going to go to hell.” In my 6-year-old head, no matter what I did next, my life was over, since I was going to burn in hell anyway. From that moment, religion repelled me. Not that I didn’t believe in God, but I believed in a God who didn’t love me. On the outside, everything seemed to smile at me — career, family, etc. — but much was missing on the inside. I was looking for happiness and I couldn’t find it. I searched all around and finally fell back into the faith of my ancestors. When I had my conversion — that is to say, when I passed from Christian-by-heredity to Christian — it turned my life upside down. C O L U M B I A B MARCH 2022

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Iconographer Élizabeth Bergeron, pictured here with some of her work, wrote the icon of St. Joseph and the Christ Child featured in the Order’s pilgrim icon program.

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St. Joseph Pilgrim Icon Program is underway THE ORDERWIDE PILGRIM icon prayer program in honor of St. Joseph has already drawn thousands of K of C families and other participants since it began last November, during the Year of St. Joseph. The centerpiece of the program is an icon of St. Joseph and the Christ Child created by iconographer Élizabeth Bergeron (see page 20). In June 2021, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly knelt before a reproduction of the icon during his installation as the Order’s 14th supreme knight, consecrating his administration to St. Joseph. Later, in his first annual report, Supreme Knight Kelly urged members to participate in the forthcoming prayer program: “Seek it out. Ask for St. Joseph’s inspiration and intercession — for you, for your family and for the Order.” Pope Francis blessed a copy of the pilgrim icon during a private audience at the Vatican on Oct. 25, and the prayer program was officially launched two weeks later at the Midyear Meeting of State Deputies in Nashville, Tenn. Nearly 300 copies have been distributed to K of C jurisdictions throughout the world and, for the next two years, will serve as focal points for prayer and devotion. Accompanying the icon is a prayer service featuring Scripture and catechesis related to St. Joseph, the joyful mysteries of the rosary with reflections from Pope Francis’ apostolic letter Patris Corde, the litany of St. Joseph, and other prayers. Since 1979, the Knights of Columbus Prayer Program has featured numerous sacred images, with local prayer services drawing some 22 million participants. Learn more and find resources at kofc.org/pilgrimicon. B

Father Mark Salas, associate state chaplain of Texas, speaks about St. Joseph during Mass at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church in El Paso, where he serves as pastor. Our Lady of the Assumption Council 12697 welcomed the St. Joseph pilgrim icon to the church and hosted the prayer program on Jan. 27. 22

Photo by Mel Musto

Go to Joseph

Jesus said: “I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you” ( Jn 14:18). This knowledge changes your life. It filled a void in me. After my conversion, I stumbled upon an icon exhibit, and right next to it was an iconography workshop. I fell in love with the technique and started taking classes. The word “icon” comes from the Greek eikona, which means “image.” Byzantine icons are images of Christ or other holy figures from the Christian tradition: the mother of God, angels, saints. No matter what image is represented, it is always the features of Christ that are evoked. There is an important link between iconography and the Incarnation. The word of God was made flesh in Jesus, and it was Jesus who said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” ( Jn 14:9). The invisible made itself visible; that is why we can represent God in images. In Russia, iconographers first study fine arts and then spend three years in iconography proper. It’s a very slow process. The technique is laborious. There are a lot of steps, and each step is very long. It is difficult to learn, but it can be learned. An icon follows strict rules that we call the canons. We cannot change the colors, the shapes, the gestures, the symbols. Yet it is a merciful art because it leaves room for error. This is about taking our time. It is the mark of the Christian that one falls and one gets up as many times as necessary. Iconography calls upon all the dimensions of being: body, heart and soul. What better way to say thank you to God for all the blessings he has given me? I think that to be a good iconographer, besides being a good technician, you have to be a lover of God. An icon is an artistic work like no other because its purpose is to bring us into the presence of God and the mystery of his love for humanity. It is a place where God meets man. The icon is the Word of God translated in form and color; this is why we “write” an icon, like writing a sacred text. The icon is conceived and realized through prayer and contemplation. We start with a carved wooden board, whose rings have a particular and precise meaning. It is the heart of the tree which looks at the heart of the praying person, as if to symbolize the heart-to-heart of God

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Photos by George Hosek

Élizabeth Bergeron works on an icon of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, in her Montréal studio.

with man. Icons also have inverted perspective — that is to say, in a traditional work, the vanishing point is inside the painting; with the icon, the vanishing point is outside the image, and the background opens toward the infinite. So it is the icon that looks at the praying person, it is God who initiates the meeting. There is no shadow in the icon because it is not a star that lights it; the light of God emanates from it. There is no naturalism in the icon; it is more symbolic than realistic. For example, in the pilgrim icon of St. Joseph, the two fingers of Christ raised in blessing represent the dual nature of Christ, human and divine; his three fingers folded inward represent the Trinity. The golden rays on Christ’s clothes represent Christ in glory; St. Joseph has rays on his clothes because he has entered into the glory of God. St. Joseph’s left hand is covered with a cloth to represent respect for Christ, and the lily represents purity, chastity and surrender to divine providence. St. Joseph is an example of faithfulness to the will of God, and an example of fatherhood. As the adoptive father of Jesus, he taught him the value of human work and contemplative prayer. Having a devotion to St. Joseph myself, I feel

privileged to have been able to collaborate with the Knights of Columbus for their icon program. We know well the devotion of the Knights of Columbus for St. Joseph, who embodies masculine spirituality. My hope is that Knights will let themselves be looked at by the icon of St. Joseph, let themselves be touched, let themselves be transfigured by the love of God. Like Joseph, may they surrender to divine providence and discover the goodness of God. B MARCH 2022 B C O L U M B I A

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The Light of the

Annunciation With her “yes,” Our Lady, Star of the Sea, illumines our path through a darkened world By Carrie Gress

ight. It is something to which we are all drawn. It punctuates our most solemn, sacred and festive events, from birthday candles and fireworks to the Easter fire. St. Bonaventure, writing in the 13th century, noted that “light cleanses, illuminates, perfects and fortifies.” It can also heat and cook. Light is vital. There is a reason homes bathed in natural light sell well, while the cavernous do not. Add candles to a dinner table or drape a string of lights around a deck and the space feels festive and elevated. These are not new ideas or mere preferences of taste. Gothic architecture took off in the 12th century because of innovative structural elements that bathed churches in light, in sharp contrast to their Romanesque predecessors. Renaissance churches went a step further by incorporating domes to let in even more light. Because lighting up a room has been as easy as flipping a switch for well over a century, we forget that banishing the darkness hasn’t always been so effortless. For most of human history, fires, candles and oil lamps offered the best ways to bring some relief to dim and fearful nights. It is hard for us to comprehend the darkness of old. Imagining the weight of darkness, the fear of all that lurked in its shadows, even the relief of a full moon on a clear night, helps us recall the essential comfort and importance of light. Today, however, we live in a world obscured by a new sort of gloom. It is not due to an absence of light, but because the Light of the World has grown dim in our own hearts, minds, homes and even churches. Fear, agitation and anxiety have become common companions in the face of encroaching shadows. Many of us are searching for answers about how to navigate this new darkness. The solemn feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, which is celebrated this month, can help lead us to them. The Church, in her wisdom, has tightly woven light into the tapestry of the liturgical year. The placement of our feasts is not accidental, but beautifully symbolic. Consider the celebrations of Christmas on Dec. 25 and the nativity of St. John the Baptist on June 24. Christmas, one of the

shortest days of the year, is wrapped in darkness, but this darkness diminishes a bit with each succeeding day. The feast of John the Baptist, roughly six months later, marks nearly the longest day of the year. The Baptist’s feast echoes his immortal words, “He must increase; I must decrease” ( Jn 3:30). Thereafter, the daylight diminishes as the days draw closer to Christ’s birth. The Annunciation, celebrated March 25, is also perfectly positioned: Its place among the seasons underscores its meaning. The angel Gabriel’s visit to Our Lady, with a question upon which all our fates were fixed, is marked at the end of winter and the dawn of spring. The Annunciation, or announcement, comes as the days grow longer and winter recedes. The moment of Mary’s “yes” heralds the end of the age of darkness and the dawn of the age of light, with Christ’s arrival. In a certain way, we can think of Our Lady as the match who received and nurtured the divine spark, eventually setting the whole world on fire with the light from the holy Son of God, incarnate in her womb. Mary’s name is often translated as Star of the Sea (Maris Stella), as St. Jerome is known for calling her. For nearly two millennia, stories have been told about the saving power of Our Lady, Star of the Sea — not only for mariners, but also for anyone tossed about in life’s rough seas. In the 12th century, St. Bernard of Clairvaux promoted the devotion, writing, “She is that glorious star lighting the way across this vast ocean of life, glowing with merits, guiding by example.” He adds: “If the winds of temptation arise, if you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation, look to the star, call on Mary. If you are tossed upon the waves of pride, of ambition, of envy, of rivalry, look to the star, call on Mary. Should anger, or avarice, or fleshly desire violently assail the frail vessel of your soul, look at the star, call upon Mary.” There is another translation of Mary’s name that dates back at least to St. Maximus the Confessor in the seventh century: the one who illumines. To illumine means to brighten, light up or enlighten — physically, spiritually or intellectually. Our Lady has been illuminating the world since her

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Photograph by Kim Baile/Courtesy of TheologyofHome.com

“With Our Lady of Light, whose ‘yes’ put an end to the darkness, our souls, families, homes and churches can be lit up once again, setting the world ablaze.” first “yes” at the Annunciation, as centuries of devotion and inspiration reveal: battles won, enemies conquered, converts stirred, artists, theologians, philosophers and musicians inspired. No woman has been painted or sung about more in all of history. And she, better than any woman in all of history, has brought brightness to dark places. Appearing as Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531, she transformed a site of human sacrifice into that of the greatest mass conversion in all of history. It is striking that both of these definitions of Mary’s name rest squarely on the notion of light. St. Bonaventure

explained that “God is properly light and whatever approaches more closely to him has more of the nature of light.” It makes sense that Our Lady, as God’s masterpiece, conceived without original sin, would be as pure a light as possible. St. Bonaventure further described how God’s perfecting light is reflected both in Our Lady and in the souls of all who love God. “Wisdom is the light descending from the Father of Lights and shining into the soul; it makes it godlike, and the house of God, for it enlightens the intellect, inflames and rejoices the affections, and strengthens the operations.” The light from the Father transforms, renews, refreshes, and dispels even the blackest night. The answer to the darkness that envelops us today is simple and old and woven throughout the centuries. It lies in the uncomplicated act of connecting with the source of all light. And we, like the light of one candle, can illumine the whole room. With Our Lady of Light, whose “yes” put an end to the darkness, our souls, families, homes and churches can be lit up once again, setting the world ablaze. B CARRIE GRESS, Ph.D., is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a scholar at the Institute for Human Ecology at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. A wife and mother of five, she is also the author of several books and the editor of TheologyofHome.com. MARCH 2022 B C O L U M B I A

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K N I G H T S I N AC T I O N B F A I T H I N A C T I O N

Faith

Fourth Degree Knights from the San Gabriel Valley Chapter form an honor guard for the 2021 Guadalupe Procession, the oldest religious festival in the city of Los Angeles. Many of the chapter’s councils and assemblies also provide financial and logistical support for the event, which was first held 90 years ago by immigrants who had fled religious persecution in Mexico.

FORMATION BY ZOOM Councils in the Diocese of Talibon in Visayas organized a videoconference discussion as part of their Into the Breach formation program. Bishop Patrick Daniel Y. Parcon of Talibon spoke to the Knights about spiritual warfare. CHEVALIERS TO THE RESCUE With pandemic restrictions limiting parish fundraising opportunities, StJacques d’Embrun (Ontario) Council 6301 donated CA$10,000 to help defray the cost of repaving the parking lot of Saint-Jacques Church.

GARDEN IMPROVEMENT Members of St. John’s Council 9574 in Adel, Iowa, built a memorial garden on the grounds of St. John’s Catholic Church. In addition to constructing a rosary path and memorial to unborn children, the Knights made improvements to an existing Mary garden. A PRAYER FOR AMERICA Members of St. Stephen Council 15691, joined by family members and other parishioners, gathered outside St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in East Grand Rapids, Mich., to pray a rosary for the country. SERVICE FOR SISTERS Members of St. Dominic Council 3729 in New Orleans helped a local community of the Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick by pressure-washing their convent patio. Thanks to the Knights’ efforts, the community was able celebrate the 25th anniversary of a sister’s final vows outdoors.

Father Robert Banas (left) and Father Lamberto Legaspino, council chaplain of Pagkabuhay Council 7147 in Parañaque, Luzon South, celebrate the unveiling and dedication of Blessed Michael McGivney Plaza at Resurrection of Our Lord Parish. Members of Council 7147 constructed the plaza in honor of Father McGivney’s beatification.

ABOVE: Courtesy of Victor Aléman / Vida Nueva-Angelus News

BIG JOB FOR A BICENTENNIAL Members of Long Green Valley Council 8736 in Hydes, Md., were instrumental in renovating a former convent at St. John the Evangelist Church to serve as a ministry center. The Knights made repairs; painted inside and out; and built display areas for a history exhibit about the parish, which is celebrating its bicentennial in 2022.

PARISH BENEFACTORS Father Capodanno Council 6522 in Forked River, N.J., donated $100,000 to St. Pius X Church to support parish ministries and help with parish expenses during the pandemic. Council members presented the donation to their pastor and chaplain, Father Richard Basznianin, after a Sunday Mass celebrated in memory of deceased council members.

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Family

BELOW: Photo by Mitch Wojnarowicz

A young girl in western Kentucky receives a present from Santa, aka Bill McDonald, disaster response coordinator for the Indiana State Council. Indiana Knights worked with other civic groups to collect and deliver toys, gift cards and other supplies to families affected by the tornadoes that hit the state in December.

STEADY FOOD DONATIONS Bishop Charles B. McLaughlin Council 7282 in Sun City Center, Fla., holds regular drives at Prince of Peace Catholic Church to benefit Our Lady’s Food Pantry in Wimauma. In the first nine months of 2021, the council collected and donated nearly 3,000 pounds of food and more than $18,000.

RICE AND ROSARIES Father Jesus S. Palileo Council 11894 from Dasmariñas, Luzon South, donated 35 kilograms of rice to Sta. Maria Euphrasia Parish to be distributed to families in need, as well as dozens of rosaries to be given to children in their catechism classes.

TOGETHER AGAIN Alton (Ill.) Council 460 revived its Family Fun Night after a two-year hiatus, welcoming more than 100 Knights, family members and other parishioners of Sts. Peter and Paul and St. Mary churches to an evening of fellowship.

SANTA’S ELVES Charles Sheppard, a member of John N. Neumann Council 6965 in San Jose, Calif., crafts hundreds of wooden toy cars each year to donate to children at Christmas. Sheppard’s brother Knights assist by hand-sanding the parts before the toys are assembled.

ART TO HONOR HIM St. Nicholas of Myra Council 10847 in Mont Clare, Pa., sponsored a religious artwork contest as part of its “Keep Christ in Christmas” program. The artist of the winning submission received a cash prize, and her icon was featured on the wrappers of chocolates the council sold as a fundraiser.

LAWN GAMES FOR WIDOWS Msgr. James J. Zegers Council 9113 in Marmora, N.J., held its 13th annual Michael Barnes Memorial Horseshoe and Cornhole event, named in honor of a deceased member. The event, which benefits Knights’ widows, has raised $20,000 since it began.

TRIVIA NIGHT Father Gilbert Carlton Council 9360 in Janesville, Wis., hosted a trivia night at St. John Vianney School to benefit a parish family whose daughter was born with a heart defect. The event raised more than $9,000 for the young girl’s medical expenses.

Patrick Ziegler clears vines and brush with other members of Glenville (N.Y.) Council 10013 in collaboration with Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine Council 16861 in Auriesville. As part of an ongoing service project, the councils help landscape the grounds at Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine and open neglected pilgrimage paths to the public. The Order has a longstanding relationship with the shrine, which was built on the site of a 17th-century Native American village where three French missionaries were martyred and St. Kateri Tekakwitha was born. MARCH 2022 B C O L U M B I A

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K N I G H T S I N AC T I O N B F A I T H I N A C T I O N

Community

Members of Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Council 17254 in Paterson and other New Jersey Knights prepare to distribute coats to families in need at a special event on the last Sunday of Advent. In addition to distributing more than 1,000 coats, the Knights helped to hand out more than 2,000 toys and organized a Christmas parade float to bring gifts to families who were not able to come to the cathedral.

SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS Members of Islands Council 10579 in Savannah, Ga., installed televisions and counters in a pavilion outside St. Peter the Apostle School in Wilmington Island, allowing teachers to use it as an outdoor classroom. COATS NEAR AND FAR Bishop Curtis Council 2867 in Wilmington, Del., participated in the Coats for Kids program, donating one case of coats to the Nanticoke Indian Association in Delaware and another case to an orphanage in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. WHATEVER IT TAKES With few fundraising options during the pandemic, members of Msgr. Corr Council 3571 in Pasadena, Calif., decided to assemble lapel poppies for the Veterans of Foreign Wars to earn money for charity. The Knights made 100,000 flowers, enabling the council to donate $1,000 to the California State Council for wildfire relief and $1,000 for relief work in Haiti.

SALUTE TO EAGLE SCOUTS Immaculate Heart of Mary Council 13621 in Grand Junction, Colo., recognized a group of local Eagle Scouts for their accomplishments by presenting them with U.S. flags. The flags, obtained by the Knights through the office of their congresswoman, had been flown over the U.S. Capitol.

GREEN KNIGHTS Members of Saint Rita Council 7876 in Santa Rita, Olongapo City, Luzon South, held a work day to plant trees as part the council’s “Plant Today for a Greener Tomorrow” initiative, a collaboration with several other religious and civic groups. BACKPACKS FOR KIDS Knights from four councils and an assembly in Erie, Pa., combined efforts to donate funds and supplies, particularly backpacks, to the Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center, a local organization that serves children with mental health challenges. TEAMING UP TO FIGHT CANCER More than 20 members of St. James Council 6780 in Liberty, Mo., participated in the Relay for Life of KC North, an event to benefit the American Cancer Society. The team, led by Knight Alan Mazi, garnered $18,000 to support cancer research.

Grand Knight Jim Kile (left) and Rolando Lagmay of St. Leonard’s Council 11752 in Manotick, Ontario, hold the more than 300 pairs of prescription eyeglasses, reading glasses and sunglasses that council members collected at St. Leonard Parish and several local schools. The Knights repaired the glasses and shipped them to Villa Marzo, Cordon Isabela, in Luzon North, Lagmay’s home village. The municipal council there will work with a local optical clinic to distribute them to people in need.

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Life HEALTH CARE HELP Buckingham Council 2056 in Gatineau, Québec, contributed CA$4,000 to the Fondation Santé Papineau, which provides medical equipment to health care facilities. The donation will go toward purchasing a vehicle equipped to transport people with disabilities. LIFE’S BLOOD St. John Kanty Council 14240 in Rolling Prairie, Ind., hosts blood drives about six times a year. Since they began in 2008, the drives have collected more than 2,000 pints of blood.

Ben Eirikson, grand knight of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina Council 16016 in Zumbrota, Minn., and his wife, Jen, carry a banner as they walk with Knights and families in the Minnesota March for Life. The group prayed the rosary as they marched from the Cathedral of St. Paul to the state Capitol in peaceful protest of abortion.

ROSARY WARRIORS Members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Council 12145, Fort Collins Council 1214 and St. John XXIII Council, all in Fort Collins, Colo., gathered with other parishioners to pray a rosary outside an abortion facility near Colorado State University.

ABOVE: CNS photo/Dave Hrbacek, The Catholic Spirit

MERCY AND HOPE Members of St. John Paul II Council 15219 in Poznań, Poland, delivered a donation of baby supplies to St. Faustina Mothers Care Center in Kiekrz. The home for women and children in need is operated by the Sisters of Mercy. Rick Ebert, Respect Life chairman of St. John Neumann Council 10836 in Austin, Texas, delivers baby supplies to TruCare Pregnancy Center. Knights collected thousands of baby wipes and diapers, 10 bags of clothes, and more than $3,000 as part of a council diaper drive. The funds and items were donated to four pro-life organizations in the city.

DIAPER DIVIDENDS Members of Immaculate Heart Council 5899 in Columbus, Ohio, donated more than 350,000 diapers to Bottoms Up, a charity that helps single mothers provide diapers for their children. SUPPORT FOR NEW LIFE Members of Father MonahanMaplewood Council 8322 in Sulphur, La., donated more than $15,000 to New Life Counseling Center, a local pregnancy resource center, through

their third baby bottle campaign. Since the first campaign, the council has contributed $42,000 to the center. A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP Members of Marquette Assembly 188 in Aurora, Ill., participated in a car show to benefit Special Olympics as a way to highlight the Order’s longtime support for the organization. The Knights displayed their parade float shaped like the Santa Maria and handed out Tootsie Rolls. ALL THOSE PENNIES ADD UP St. Anne’s Council 9594 in Seal Beach, Calif., held its annual “Pennies from Heaven” baby bottle drive at St. Anne Parish. The Knights raised a recordsetting $7,000, which they donated to pregnancy resource centers and other organizations providing support to new mothers.

See more at www.kofc.org/knightsinaction Please submit your council activities to knightsinaction@kofc.org MARCH 2022 B C O L U M B I A

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K N I G H T S I N AC T I O N B G L O B A L I M P A C T

SOUTH KOREA

CANADA Several young parishioners help Grand Knight Raymundo Yu of Our Lady of Fatima Council 824 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, with the council’s winter clothing drive. The council organized the collection at St. Dunstan’s Basilica to benefit a local charity that serves people in need.

Members of St. Nam Chong-sam Council 16970 in Incheon hold a pro-life demonstration on the 10th anniversary of the March for Life in Korea, which was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

POLAND Grand Knight Tomasz Konturek of Father Michał Sopoćko Council 17667 in Kraków presents a donation of 2,500 euros to Sister Michaela Rak to benefit the hospice she founded and runs in Vilnius, Lithuania. The funds were collected during the pilgrimage of Blessed Michael McGivney’s relic through Poland District #1.

PHILIPPINES District Master Glenn D. Espaldon and Vice District Master Artemio C. Dela Cruz of Luzon North District #4 lead a wreath-laying ceremony to honor Gat Andres Bonifacio — known as “The Father of the Philippine Revolution” — on the 158th anniversary of his birth.

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UNITED STATES Members of Father Frank Colacicco Council 4060 in Danville, Calif., bow their heads as Father Matthew Murray, pastor of St. Isidore the Farmer, blesses the 500 Christmas boxes they filled for people in need. The council has been collecting food and gifts for Christmas boxes for 43 years.

MEXICO District Deputy Alejandro Arroyo presents Cristian Hernández with a wheelchair from San Judas Tadeo y Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Council 17546 in Ixtapaluca, Mexico South. The council’s donation will help Hernández continue his university studies.

FRANCE Christophe Cutayard of Sacred Heart of Jesus Council 16914 in Marseille delivers Christmas presents for the children being treated at Timone Hospital. Cutayard, a porter at the hospital, coordinated the council’s collection of gifts. MARCH 2022 B C O L U M B I A

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'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. ' Mark 1:3 THIS SEASON OF LENT, MAKE ROOM FOR MORE OF WHAT MAKES YOU A KNIGHT!

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OFFICIAL MARCH 1, 2022: To owners of Knights of Columbus insurance policies and persons responsible for payment of premiums on such policies: Notice is hereby given that in accordance with the provisions of Section 84 of the Laws of the Order, payment of insurance premiums due on a monthly basis to the Knights of Columbus by check made payable to Knights of Columbus and mailed to same at PO Box 1492, NEW HAVEN, CT 06506-1492, before the expiration of the grace period set forth in the policy. In Canada: Knights of Columbus, Place d’Armes Station, P.O. Box 220, Montreal, QC H2Y 3G7 ALL MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOS, ARTWORK, EDITORIAL MATTER, AND ADVERTISING INQUIRIES SHOULD BE MAILED TO: COLUMBIA, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-9982. REJECTED MATERIAL WILL BE RETURNED IF ACCOMPANIED BY A SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE AND RETURN POSTAGE. PURCHASED MATERIAL WILL NOT BE RETURNED. OPINIONS BY WRITERS ARE THEIR OWN AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. SUBSCRIPTION RATES — IN THE U.S.: 1 YEAR, $6; 2 YEARS, $11; 3 YEARS, $15. FOR OTHER COUNTRIES ADD $2 PER YEAR. EXCEPT FOR CANADIAN SUBSCRIPTIONS, PAYMENT IN U.S. CURRENCY ONLY. SEND ORDERS AND CHECKS TO: ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-9982. COLUMBIA (ISSN 0010-1869/USPS #123-740) IS PUBLISHED 10 TIMES A YEAR BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, 1 COLUMBUS PLAZA, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326. PHONE: 203-752-4000, kofc.org. PRODUCED IN USA. COPYRIGHT © 2021 BY KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT NEW HAVEN, CT AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO COLUMBIA, MEMBERSHIP DEPARTMENT, P.O. BOX 554, ELMSFORD, NY 10523. CANADIAN POSTMASTER — PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 1473549. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, 50 MACINTOSH BOULEVARD, CONCORD, ONTARIO L4K 4P3. PHILIPPINES — FOR PHILIPPINES SECOND-CLASS MAIL AT THE MANILA CENTRAL POST OFFICE. SEND RETURN COPIES TO KCFAPI, FRATERNAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, PO BOX 1511, MANILA.

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KNIGHTS OF CHARITY

Photos courtesy of Special Olympics North Carolina

Knights of Charity Every day, Knights all over the world are given opportunities to make a difference — whether through community service, raising money or prayer. We celebrate each and every Knight for his strength, his compassion and his dedication to building a better world.

North Carolina Knights pull a 30,000-pound airplane across the tarmac at Raleigh-Durham International Airport as part of a Special Olympics fundraiser. Three K of C teams competed in the plane pull, and State Deputy JC Reiher — who led a team of state officers (inset) — presented Special Olympics North Carolina with a donation of $10,000.

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PLEASE, DO ALL YOU CAN TO ENCOURAGE PRIESTLY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS. YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

‘He never stopped pursuing me.’

Father Ryan Patrick Mahar Diocese of Sacramento Father Nicholas Phelan Council 1875, Grass Valley, Calif.

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Photo by Amy Jensen

I was on a cattle drive in the Sawtooth Mountains of Wyoming when I heard God’s simple words calling me to the priesthood: “You’re moving the wrong herd.” After years of running away from his divine will, I knew that God had finally caught up with me. My running started when I enlisted in the Army; I followed in my family’s legacy of military service and served five years as a “grunt” in the airborne infantry. I then worked in construction, where I noticed that I had a gift for talking to other contractors about God. Desiring to know more about the faith, I enrolled at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where I fell deeper in love with Jesus, the Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin Mary and mission work. I served the homeless in the Bronx, brought mercy to prostitutes in Chicago and evangelized souls in Honduras. Still, I was afraid to say “yes” to the collar, so after graduation, I ran to Wyoming to hide. Now, each day of my priesthood, I thank God that he never stopped pursuing me.

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Columbia March 2022

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