Knights of Columbus News

Knights Join Pope Francis in Prayer for Ukraine

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS worldwide responded to the call 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.” e 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 con ict 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.

“ is 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.

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,” a rmed 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 su er 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.

“ e 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.

“ e message of unity has been the key to our e orts,” the supreme knight concluded. “It is ing 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.