Columbia May 2014 by Columbia Magazine

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COLUMBIA

F E AT U R E S

8 Mary and Her Knights Throughout the Order’s history, Knights have expressed their love for Our Lady. BY COLUMBIA STAFF

14 United Under Our Lady’s Mantle Knights celebrate the 35th anniversary of the international Marian Prayer Program. BY RUANE REMY

18 Pope Francis and the Mother of Mercy Beginning with his Jesuit formation in Argentina, Pope Francis has cultivated a deep devotion to Our Lady. BY BISHOP MICHAEL C. BARBER, S.J.

22 The Star of Evangelization For many decades, Knights have served as missionaries of Our Lady of Guadalupe and her message. BY LIZETTE LANTIGUA

26 How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? Commonly misunderstood doctrines about the Virgin Mary highlight her unique role within Christ’s saving mission. BY FATHER DWIGHT LONGENECKER

Thousands of Knights and family members fill the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., during a Year of Faith Pilgrimage commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Knights Tower Carillon Sept. 8, 2013. Above is seen the Knights of Columbus Incarnation Dome, which was completed in 2007.

D E PA RT M E N T S 3

Building a better world The Church’s pastoral care of the family demands neither excuses nor condemnation, but Christ’s path of compassion. BY SUPREME KNIGHT CARL A. ANDERSON

TOP RIGHT: Photo by Matthew Barrick

Learning the faith, living the faith With Mary as our model, we are called to be true and loyal disciples of Jesus.

Knights of Columbus News K of C Named Among World’s Most Ethical Companies • Order Celebrates Founder’s Day • Pope Francis Documentary Premieres at Film Festival • New Fourth Degree Assembly Instituted at Fort Bragg • Knights Make Pilgrimage to Christ the King • Pope Francis Reappoints Supreme Knight to Pontifical Council

Fathers for Good The Blessed Virgin Mary’s bold faith and virtue prompts men to strive for Christian greatness. BY EDWARD SRI

Knights in Action

BY SUPREME CHAPLAIN ARCHBISHOP WILLIAM E. LORI

PLUS: Catholic Man of the Month

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Marian Foundations WHEN THE FATHERS of the Second Vatican Council discussed the Blessed Virgin Mary, a debate arose. Whereas the original plan was to issue a separate document about Marian devotion, the council fathers ultimately decided to make Mary the subject of the final and longest chapter of the council’s central document: Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church. They thus emphasized Our Lady’s dignity as the model and image of the Church, for she watches over us as a loving mother and points the way to salvation in Christ. Affirming that Christ is the one Mediator before God (cf. 1 Tim 2:5), Lumen Gentium adds: “The maternal duty of Mary toward men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique meditation of Christ, but rather shows His power. For all the salvific influence of the Blessed Virgin on men originates, not from some inner necessity, but from the divine pleasure” (60). In the 50 years since Lumen Gentium was published, the Knights of Columbus has launched numerous significant initiatives to promote appreciation of Mary’s role in the Church. From distributing a rosary to every new member to organizing international prayer programs that have featured images of Mary under various titles, the Order has done much to foster a culture of piety in Catholic communities. May is traditionally a month devoted to Mary, and this issue of Columbia highlights some of the ways that Knights have honored her, especially in recent decades. Lest anyone think that the Order lacked a close association with Our Lady in the beginning, one need look no further than the Knights’ founder, Venerable Michael

McGivney. He was born to Patrick and Mary McGivney in 1852, just two years before Pope Pius IX dogmatically defined the Immaculate Conception. Much celebration undoubtedly ensued at the family’s parish, Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, Conn. Young Michael later studied at Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Niagara Falls, N.Y., St. Mary’s College in Montreal, and St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. He was ordained at Baltimore’s Cathedral of the Assumption and became assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven. Eight years after founding the Knights, he died of pneumonia on the eve of the Assumption at age 38. In short, the Blessed Mother was a constant presence in Father McGivney’s life from beginning to end. Among his relics at the Knights of Columbus Museum are a rosary and scapular, and it is surely safe to assume that Marian devotion played no small part in the faith of those first Knights at St. Mary’s Parish. If major Marian initiatives were less common in the early decades of the Order, perhaps it was because they were largely unnecessary. Like the fathers of the Second Vatican Council, Knights and their fellow Catholics had a natural appreciation for Our Lady as their spiritual mother. And like the final chapter of Lumen Gentium, the Order’s rich history of promoting Marian devotion should be understood in a greater, integral context — that is, the Knights’ constant efforts to serve Christ and his Church in a spirit of charity and unity.♦ ALTON J. PELOWSKI EDITOR

Featured Resources: Understanding Mary FROM ITS ORIGINS, the Order’s Catholic Information Service has published practical resources to help Catholics better understand Mary’s role in salvation history and to foster Marian devotion. Among those published today are a pamphlet titled A Guide to Praying the Rosary (#4772) and a booklet titled Mary (#120), written by Peter Kreeft for the Luke E. Hart Series. For more information or to download PDF versions of these and other spiritual resources, visit kofc.org/cis. 2 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦

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COLUMBIA PUBLISHER Knights of Columbus ________ SUPREME OFFICERS Carl A. Anderson SUPREME KNIGHT Most Rev. William E. Lori, S.T.D. SUPREME CHAPLAIN Logan T. Ludwig DEPUTY SUPREME KNIGHT Charles E. Maurer Jr. SUPREME SECRETARY Michael J. O’Connor SUPREME TREASURER John A. Marrella SUPREME ADVOCATE ________ EDITORIAL Alton J. Pelowski EDITOR Andrew J. Matt MANAGING EDITOR Patrick Scalisi SENIOR EDITOR ________

Venerable 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 MAIL COLUMBIA 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven, CT 06510-3326 ADDRESS CHANGES 203-752-4580 OTHER INQUIRIES 203-752-4398 FAX 203-752-4109 CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-380-9995 E-MAIL columbia@kofc.org INTERNET kofc.org/columbia ________ 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.

COVER: Photo by L’Osservatore Romano

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BUILDING A BETTER WORLD

Walking Closely With Others in Faith The Church’s pastoral care of the family demands neither excuses nor condemnation, but Christ’s path of compassion by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson THE PAST YEAR has been a remark- same time to emphasize how deeply the able time in the life of the Church. Pope Church desires to stand at his side” (1). Francis has captured the world’s attenHe continued, “Among these many tion not by great gestures, but by simple paths, the family is the first and most imA legalistic mentality tends to reduce ones: riding a bus, kissing persons with portant. It is a path common to all, yet a choice to two extremes: condemn or disabilities, washing the feet of poor one which is particular, unique and un- excuse. This was the choice the Pharwomen, embracing prisoners and meet- repeatable, just as every individual is un- isees presented Jesus in the case of the ing with penniless immigrants. woman caught in adultery. Jesus chose repeatable” (2, emphasis in original). As I said soon after his election, it was Pope Francis has also recently spoken a different way: forgiveness, and the as if the cardinals had been reading Pope in such terms, urging priests to “accom- truth spoken in love. Benedict XVI’s encyclical Deus Caritas pany” those in failed marriages. “Do not We might ask another question: Est when they elected Pope Francis. And condemn,” he said. “Walk with them and What does it mean to “accompany”? in the months that have followed, we don’t practice casuistry on their situation.” In Familiaris Consortio, John Paul II have seen in his personal witness followed up on the work of the wisdom of St. John Paul II’s the 1980 Synod on the Family call for Christians to practice “a by urging greater pastoral care By announcing a new synod, charity that evangelizes.” of Catholics in failed marPope Francis has again called Many have been attracted by riages. He also gave us a comthe candor and willingness of prehensive pastoral blueprint on the Church to confront the Pope Francis to face hard quesfor the evangelization of all tions — especially in his aposCatholic couples. challenges facing families today. tolic exhortation Evangelii By announcing a new Gaudium. In this document, he synod, Pope Francis has again reminds us that there are areas where we Pope Francis’ reference to “casuistry” called on the universal Church to concan do better as Christians, both as in- is thought-provoking. During the 17th front the extraordinary challenges facing dividuals and as a community. It is clear century, in his famous Provincial Letters, families today. Certainly, more must be that the pope’s directness arises from a Blaise Pascal criticized the Jesuit casuistry done to accompany families, but we confidence that is grounded firmly in of his day that attempted to excuse must also be candid. Too often during the “joy of the Gospel.” homicide, abortion, lying and a variety the last 30 years the message of FamilOne of the pope’s most important ac- of sexual and other misconduct. It was iaris Consortio has been ignored or fortions so far has been scheduling a synod argued that the moral norms taught by gotten. As a result, millions of Catholics of bishops in 2015 for the pastoral care the Church could be modified by indi- have never received the catechesis, prepaof the family. Like St. John Paul II, Pope vidual circumstances and, therefore, ration for marriage and pastoral care enFrancis has decided to center his first such actions might not always be sinful. visioned by this great document. If they synod on the family, reflecting both his News media reported on Pope Fran- had been “accompanied” in this way, confidence and pastoral spirit. cis’ remarks with headlines like, “Accom- who knows how many marriages might In 1994, John Paul II recalled in his pany, don’t condemn those in failed have been strengthened and saved? In the days ahead, let us all take more Letter to Families: “In the first days of marriages.” But because of his reference my ministry … I wrote that man is the to casuistry, they may have missed the seriously the call of these two great way of the Church. With these words I pope’s full meaning. It might have been popes to accompany our families more wanted first of all to evoke the many more accurate to say, “Accompany, don’t closely with candor and compassion. Vivat Jesus! paths along which man walks and at the condemn, but don’t excuse either.”

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LEARNING THE FAITH, LIVING THE FAITH

Be a Follower, Not a Fan With Mary as our model, we are called to be true and loyal disciples of Jesus by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

FANS CAN BE LOYAL. I know. I live in Baltimore, where front doors are painted purple in allegiance to the Ravens and where almost everyone is convinced that this is the year for the Orioles. The teams’ logos are everywhere — in store windows, on cars and busses, and on clothing. Many people instantly recognize the players, and some even know their statistics by heart. Though fans can be loyal, they can also be fickle. When the home team is having a bad season, ticket sales drop and games are played in half-empty stadiums. If the team is losing badly, fans will head for the parking lot long before the game is over. Superstar players can easily fall from grace. Once-loyal fans who used to cheer them on can boo them in the next breath. And the fans are ready to pounce on any general manager or coach who, in their estimation, trades players unwisely or picks the wrong strategy. In a similar way, we could say that Jesus had fans, too. In the Gospels, “crowds” gathered in droves to hear him speak and watched in amazement as he worked miracles. Jerusalem gave him a hero’s welcome when he arrived there only a few days before Passover. But like fair-weather sports fans, the crowds’ loyalty to Jesus had limits. FANS AND DISCIPLES Jesus’ fans found him to be an attractive personality and an engaging 4 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦

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speaker. Jesus had a way of confounding his opponents that delighted audiences. He spoke in a way that touched their minds and hearts as no one else had. His words were also backed up with miracles; many knew of someone whom Jesus had healed. And there was a growing conviction that this Jesus just might be the one who would free Israel from the oppression of the Roman Empire.

When the disciples were being transformed from fans to disciples, they were accompanied by Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

But his fans were loyal only to a point. Take, for example, his address in the synagogue at Nazareth. When Jesus began his address, people marveled “at the gracious words that came from his mouth” (Lk 4:22). But when, in effect, Jesus proclaimed himself to be the Messiah and told the people the truth about themselves, they turned on him. Likewise, consider the Bread of Life discourse in John’s Gospel. People were coming to believe in Jesus in great numbers, but when he told them that he was “the bread that comes down from

heaven” (Jn 6:50) and that he would give them his flesh to eat and his blood to drink, many stopped believing. They left Jesus and returned to their former way of life (cf. Jn 6:66). Finally, after having given Jesus a hero’s welcome when he entered Jerusalem, just a few days later the same crowds were calling for Jesus to be crucified. Some of Jesus’ fans, though, did become true followers and disciples. They, too, were attracted by Jesus — by what he said and did. It is true that they did not readily understand who Jesus was or his mission. At first, they may have thought of him as a political leader rather than the Savior of the world. Nonetheless, as they began to listen more closely and to struggle more intently, Jesus’ gaze of love touched them at a deeper level. They left everything and followed him. To be sure, most of them deserted Jesus at the time of his trial, suffering and death. Yet, when the risen Lord appeared and the Holy Spirit overshadowed them at Pentecost, their minds and hearts were opened. They became the Lord’s witnesses to the ends of the earth. OUR LADY’S WITNESS When the disciples were being transformed from fans to disciples, they were accompanied by Mary, the

LEARNING THE FAITH, LIVING THE FAITH

Mother of Jesus. Mary was present at the wedding feast of Cana, when Jesus began his public ministry. When Jesus addressed a crowd, his mother and his close relatives waited outside to see him. Mary stood at the foot of the cross. She was there when the news of the Resurrection was revealed. She prayed with the Apostles at Pentecost. And she was present at the earliest celebrations of the Eucharist. Mary was never merely a fan; she was always a disciple, and she lived her whole life according to the Word. Before Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, Mary was living the Beat-

POPE FRANCIS: CNS photo/Paul Haring — BLESSED CEFERINO MALLA: Photo courtesy of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, National Council of the United States

HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTIONS

Offered in Solidarity with Pope Francis GENERAL: That the media may be instruments in the service of truth and peace. MISSION: That Mary, Star of Evangelization, may guide the Church in proclaiming Christ to all nations.

itudes. Sinless and loving, she played a most pivotal role in God’s plan to save the world. Thanks to her prayers and her witness, many stopped being fans and started being true followers of her Son. We can ask ourselves: Are we fans or followers? If we regard Jesus as an attractive leader who offered sound ethical teaching and not much more, then we are still only fans. We are fickle fans if we desert the faith when the Church is in crisis or when our pastor makes an unpopular decision; still more if we pick and choose from among the Lord’s teachings those that suit us.

Yet we become disciples when we listen to and embrace the Gospel. Pope Francis writes: “Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen, and free you” (Evangelii Gaudium, 164). Mary played a crucial role in the lives of the first disciples. If we draw close to Mary in true devotion, she will help us in our journey toward true discipleship. Let us pray the rosary daily and allow her to lead us more deeply into the mysteries of Christ, who calls us to be not merely his fans, but his followers and living witnesses before the world.♦

C AT H O L I C M A N O F T H E M O N T H

Blessed Ceferino Giménez Malla (1861-1936) CEFERINO Giménez Malla was born to a nomadic Romani (Gypsy) family in 1861 near Fraga, Spain. He worked as a basket weaver in his youth, and at age 18, he married his wife, Teresa, also a Gypsy; their marriage was regularized in the Church in 1912. The couple had no children until they adopted Teresa’s niece, Pepita. Known as “El Pelé” (“the brave one”), Ceferino settled with his family in the city of Barbastro, where he became known as an honest and hard-working horse trader. He frequently attended daily Mass and had a strong devotion to Our Lady. Though illiterate, Ceferino was gifted with natural intelligence and good sense, and he was renowned for his ability to resolve disputes among Romani and Spaniards alike. After Teresa’s death in 1922, Ceferino became a catechist, teaching children to pray and sing religious songs, often regaling them with stories from the Bible. He was a member of the Secular Franciscan Order, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Nocturnal Adoration Society. His generosity to the poor was

legendary. At the outset of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, Ceferino was arrested for defending a priest. Asked whether he possessed any weapons, he showed the revolutionaries his rosary. Told to renounce his faith in exchange for freedom, he adamantly refused. Two weeks later, he was shot by firing squad, holding his rosary and shouting, “Viva Cristo Rey!” (“Long live Christ the King!”). At Ceferino’s beatification in 1997, Pope John Paul II declared, “Today ‘El Pelé’ intercedes for all before our common Father, and the Church proposes him as a model to follow and a significant example of the universal vocation to holiness.” The patron of Romani people, Blessed Ceferino’s feast day is May 4.♦

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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS

K of C Named Among World’s Most Ethical Companies THE KNIGHTS of Columbus has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute, an independent center of research promoting best practices in corporate ethics and governance, as a 2014 World’s Most Ethical Company®. This is the first time that the Order has been honored with this award, which recognizes organizations that continue to raise the bar on ethical leadership and corporate behavior. World’s Most Ethical Company honorees understand the correlation between ethics, reputation and daily interactions with their brand. The Knights of Columbus is one of only two companies in the life insurance category honored this year. “The Knights of Columbus was founded more than 130 years ago to protect the financial future of Catholic families in the event of the tragic death of a breadwinner and to provide charity to those on the margins of society,” said Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson. “Today, those same founding principles are at work in every aspect of our business, guiding our corporate governance, our professional agency force, our investments and our day-to-day business operations. It is this continued commitment to our foundational, Catholic principles that is the key to our ethical, sustainable and successful business model.” The World’s Most Ethical Company assessment is based on Ethisphere’s “Ethics Quotient™” framework, which has been developed to assess an organization’s performance in an objective, consistent and standardized way. The information collected provides a comprehensive sampling of definitive criteria of core competencies, rather than all aspects of corporate governance, risk, sustainability, compliance and ethics. The Ethics Quotient framework and method-

™ ®

ology was determined, vetted and refined by the expert advice and insights gleaned from Ethisphere’s network of thought leaders and from the World’s Most Ethical Company Methodology Advisory Panel. Scores are generated in five key categories: ethics and compliance program (25 percent), reputation, leadership and innovation (20 percent), governance (10 percent), corporate citizenship and responsibility (25 percent), and culture of ethics (20 percent). “The entire community of World’s Most Ethical Companies believes that customers, employees, investors and regulators place a high premium on trust and that ethics and good governance are key in earning it,” said Ethisphere CEO Timothy Erblich. “The Knights of Columbus joins an exclusive community committed to driving performance through leading business practices. We congratulate [the] Knights of Columbus for this extraordinary achievement.” The full list of the 2014 World’s Most Ethical Companies can be found at ethisphere.com.♦

Pope Francis Documentary Premieres at Film Festival

Order Celebrates Founder’s Day Relatives of Venerable Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, join Dominicans of St. Mary’s Priory and supreme officers and directors at Father McGivney’s sarcophagus to pray for his canonization. Knights from throughout Connecticut gathered for Mass at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven on Founder’s Day, March 29. 6 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦

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A DOCUMENTARY produced by the Knights of Columbus on the life of Pope Francis made its big-screen debut at the John Paul II International Film Festival April 12 in Miami. The documentary, Francis: The Pope From the New World, was filmed primarily on location in Argentina and features interviews with the pope’s close friends and former co-workers, his biographer and the poor whose lives he touched in Buenos Aires. Founded in 2009, the John Paul II International Film Festival is organized by Miami-based 7eventh Day Media Inc. A trailer and information on how to purchase the DVD can be found at: popefrancisdocumentary.com.♦

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS

New Fourth Degree Assembly Instituted at Fort Bragg WHEN CHAPLAIN (Maj.) Charles J. Watters Assembly 3459 was instituted March 15 at Fort Bragg, N.C., Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson and Supreme Master Dennis Stoddard were among those present. During the ceremony, the supreme knight personally “knighted” each of the 69 new Fourth Degree members. The following day, after Mass in the All American Chapel of the 82nd Airborne Division, he presented the assembly’s charter to Faithful Navigator Robert Hambly. The new assembly is named in honor of Father Watters, a U.S. Army chaplain who was killed while serving in Vietnam. Father Watters posthumously received the Medal of Honor in 1969.♦

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson and Supreme Master Dennis Stoddard stand with members of the newly instituted Chaplain (Maj.) Charles J. Watters Assembly 3459 at the Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville, N.C.

FORT BRAGG: Photo by Lew McCloud

Knights Make Pilgrimage to Christ the King

KNIGHTS IN MEXICO recently participated in a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Christ the King atop Cubilete Hill in Guanajuato. On March 9, more then 1,500 Knights and family members from the four Mexican jurisdictions, including three state deputies and their wives, processed in prayer up the hill, also known as the Mountain of Christ the King. Bishop Jaime Calderón of Zamora, Mexico, celebrated Mass for the pilgrims at the foot of the shrine’s 60foot-tall bronze statue of Christ, the largest statue of its kind. A member of

Our Lady of Hope Council 4770 in Zamora, Bishop Calderón referenced Pope Francis’ statement that the Church grows by “attraction,” and he encouraged his brother Knights to give testimony to their faith through charitable action. Located in the geographic center of the country, the shrine was rebuilt in 1944 with financial support from the Knights of Columbus. At the foot of Cubilete Hill, there is also a chapel housing relics of three of the Knights of Columbus martyrs who were killed nearby in 1927.♦

Pope Francis Reappoints Supreme Knight to Pontifical Council POPE FRANCIS on Feb. 7 reappointed Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson to the Pontifical Council for the Laity for a five-year term. The council assists the pope in all matters concerning the contribution of the lay faithful to the life and mission of the Church. In a letter to the council’s president, Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko, the supreme knight said, “I am humbled by the action of Pope Francis in this regard and promise to contribute my very best to the work of this important dicastery as one its members.” Anderson was originally appointed to the council in 2002 by Pope John Paul II. Among the new appointees announced Feb. 7 are Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia, a member of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Council 15380 in Wynnewood, Pa., and Cardinal Luis Tagle of Manila, a member of Mother of God Council 15427.♦

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Mary and Her Knights Throughout the Order’s history, Knights have expressed their love for Our Lady by Columbia staff

ne of the defining characteristics of the Knights of Columbus is its members’ deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Every Knight receives a rosary when he joins the Order and is encouraged to turn to Mary as his own Mother, so that she may lead him closer to her Son. Historically, Knights have expressed filial devotion to Mary under various titles, especially Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas and of the Philippines, and the Immaculate Conception, likewise patroness of both the United States and the Philippines. The Order has been marked from the be8 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦

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ginning by special reverence for Our Lady, demonstrated by prayer, pilgrimages, evangelization and education initiatives, and acts of charity. In particular, Knights have been ardent apostles of the holy rosary, spearheading numerous rosary distributions and prayer programs to promote this most powerful Marian devotion. Chronicling many of the most significant Marian initiatives and related events in the Order’s history, the following timeline shows that the Knights’ identity stems directly from a steadfast and faithful embrace of Mary’s “yes.”

1882 Father Michael J. McGivney founds the Knights of Columbus while serving as assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church. 1905 Supreme Knight Edward L. Hearn visits Mexico City to install the officers of Guadalupe Council 1050, the first council established in Mexico.

1911 Knights of Columbus leaders present a rosary of gold nuggets to Cardinal James Gibbons of Baltimore in celebration of his golden jubilee. 1917-18

During World War I, Knights of Columbus send thousands of rosaries and scapulars overseas to troops fighting in Europe as part of wartime support efforts.

1919

The Order sponsors its first military pilgrimage to Lourdes. In response to popular demand, the Knights of Columbus also publishes A Guide to Lourdes.

1931

The administrators of the Shrine of Guadalupe bestow the “Golden Rose of Tepeyac” on Supreme Knight Martin Carmody and Supreme Secretary William J. McGinley in recognition of their service to Mexican Catholics.

Photo by L’Osservatore Romano

1939 In response to the mounting conflict in Europe, Supreme Knight Francis P. Matthews writes a letter to all of the Order’s chaplains asking that councils sponsor a “Public Prayer for Peace.” During World War II, councils throughout the nation sponsor Rosaries for Peace.

(From left:) Supreme Master Dennis J. Stoddard, Supreme Director James R. Scroggin, Supreme Director Paul J. Lambert and Former Supreme Director Javier G. Najera carry the original statue of Our Lady of Fatima through St. Peter’s Square. The procession took place during the Year of Faith “Marian Day” Oct. 13, 2013, and was followed by Mass celebrated by Pope Francis. It was the first time that a Fourth Degree honor guard was invited to participate in a papal event in St. Peter’s Square.

1939-1945 During World War II, Canadian Knights provide all chapel supplies for Catholic chaplains, including prayer books and rosaries. 1944

Missouri K of C advertising campaign is launched, which runs informational ads in newspapers to dispel ignorance of Catholic teachings regarding the sacraments, purgatory and the role of Mary.

1945

Guadalupe Council 1050 in Mexico City participates in the golden jubilee observance of the solemn corona-

tion of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

1946

California Knights conduct a pilgrimage to the Guadalupe Shrine.

1947

The Order launches its Catholic Advertising Program, which grew into the present-day Catholic Information Service.

1947 Knights escort replicas of Our Lady of Fatima on a North American pilgrimage of peace, visiting more than 250 cities in Canada and the United States in honor of the 30th anniversary of the final apparition at Fatima. 1954

In honor of the first Marian Year declared by Pope Pius XII, the supreme convention is held in honor of the Blessed Mother, under the title Marian Year Supreme Council Meeting.

1955

Supreme Knight Luke E. Hart visits the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Order’s presence in Mexico.

1956 Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton, the “Rosary Priest” known for promoting family prayer, is named the Order’s first honorary Fourth Degree member. 1959

The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is dedicated Nov. 20. The Order had contributed $1 million for the construction of the basilica’s bell tower, known as the Knights Tower.

1960 The Running of the Silver Rose begins as an initiative of the Columbian Squires to symbolize the program’s devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Multiple silver roses make cross-continental pilgrimages from Canada, through the United States, and into Mexico. 1963

On July 7, Archbishop Patrick O’Boyle of Washington blesses the Mary Bell and consecrates the carillon of 56 bells in the Knights Tower at the National Shrine. Supreme Knight Hart remarks that the tower will give evidence M AY 2014

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“of the undying loyalty of our members to Mary, Mother of God.”

1970

A living rosary program, featuring a 120-foot rosary, is launched by Archbishop Francis P. Keough Council 5263 in Odenten, Md.

1973

Our Lady of Lourdes Council 5890 in Washingtonville, N.Y., sponsors its first annual pilgrimage to Lourdes for children with physical or intellectual disabilities.

1977

At the beginning of his administration as supreme knight, Virgil C. Dechant places the Order under Mary’s protection during a visit to the National Shrine.

1978 The Knights of Columbus hosts a Rosary Rally in conjunction with the March for Life in Washington, D.C. 1979 The Order establishes the Luke E. Hart Fund, earnings from which are forwarded annually to the National Shrine for the promotion of Marian devotion and ordinary upkeep. 1979

The Order launches its first Marian Prayer Program and distributes images of Our Lady of Guadalupe to all councils.

1981

1978

Beginning this year, each new First Degree Knight receives a rosary blessed by the supreme chaplain, a practice that continues to this day. Supreme 10 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦

Knight Dechant’s strong devotion to Mary results in the free distribution of more than 500,000 rosaries in the first five years of his administration.

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Supreme Knight Dechant concludes arrangements with Archbishop Lino Zanini, delegate for the Fabbrica di San Pietro — the office of administration of St. Peter’s Basilica — for the

enlargement of the chapel of Our Lady of Częstochowa.

1981-82 The Order holds its second Marian Prayer Program, in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. 1982 The Order restores St. Mary’s Church, birthplace of the Knights. 1983 Now 101 years old, the Order consecrates itself to the Blessed Virgin at the start of its second century. 1983 At 101st Supreme Convention, the Order resolves to establish a $150,000 fund for the benefit of the Mexican Pontifical College in Rome, Italy, to be known as the Our Lady of Guadalupe Fund. 1984-85

The Order conducts a third Marian Prayer Program, this time dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Clockwise from left: A Fourth Degree honor guard stands at attention during a Marian Year Mass in Washington, D.C., Oct. 24, 1954. • The Knights Tower at the National Shrine is pictured during construction Feb. 7, 1959. • Former Supreme Chaplain Bishop Charles P. Greco joins supreme officers Oct. 3, 1977, to bless rosaries, which are given to each new member of the Order. • Columbian Squires admire a silver rose circa 1961. The rose, and others like it, are sent annually to Mexico in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

1986-87 The Our Lady of Częstochowa Marian Prayer Program highlights the traditional Polish devotion to Mary.

the Order sends 10,000 rosaries to the Middle East along with cards explaining how to pray the rosary.

Order holds a second Marian Prayer Program honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe.

1987

1991

1997

In honor of the Marian Year declared by Pope John Paul II, the 105th Annual Supreme Convention is held under the banner, “Pilgrim Virgin, Pilgrim Church, Pilgrim Pope.”

PHOTOS: Knights of Columbus Multimedia Archives

1988-89 The Our Lady of Pochaiv Marian Prayer Program commemorates the millennial anniversary of Christianity in Ukraine. 1989

The Knights of Columbus underwrites Pope John Paul II’s first Saturday Rosary for Peace.

1990-91 The Our Lady of the Assumption Marian Prayer Program coincides with the 40th anniversary of the dogmatic definition of the Assumption. 1993 During the 111th annual meeting of the Knights of Columbus, the supreme chaplain rededicates the Order to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Mary, Mother of the Church Chapel at the USCCB headquarters in Washington, D.C., is dedicated. The chapel was made possible by a $2 million grant by the Supreme Council.

1993-94 The Holy Family Marian Prayer Program is conducted during the International Year of the Family.

1990

1995-96

In collaboration with the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA,

As bishops prepare to meet at a special Synod for America, the

Our Mother of Africa Chapel at the Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington, D.C., is dedicated. The Order contributed $100,000 to its construction.

1997-98 The Our Lady of the New Advent Marian Prayer Program highlights the Order’s preparation for the third Christian millennium. It features an icon that was presented to Pope John Paul II during the 1993 World Youth Day in Denver. 1998

Pope John Paul II receives the Board of Directors in audience and blesses a mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe commissioned from the Vatican Mosaic Studios for the Knights of Columbus Museum. M AY 2014

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become sole sponsors of “Rosary Sunday” (now called the “Arizona Rosary Celebration”), the largest and longest continuous rosary event held in a public venue in the United States.

2007-08 The Order conducts a Marian Prayer Program dedicated to Our Lady of Charity, a 400-year-old Cuban Madonna. 2007

Pope John Paul II, flanked by Past Supreme Knight Virgil C. Dechant, blesses a mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Vatican Oct. 10, 1998. The mosaic was commissioned for the Knights of Columbus Museum and served as the centerpiece of the 2000-01 Marian Prayer Program.

To commemorate the 475th anniversary of the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Order sponsors a speaking tour featuring Msgr. Eduardo Chávez, an expert on the Guadalupe apparitions and the postulator for the cause of canonization of St. Juan Diego.

2007 More than 12,000 Knights and family members attend the Knights of Columbus Jubilee Year Mass and pilgrimage at the National Shrine on April 1, 2000. The event includes praying the rosary with Pope John Paul II live via satellite from Rome.

2001

Four months after his election, Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson dedicates his administration to Our Lady of Guadalupe at her basilica in Mexico City.

Expectant Mothers (Madonna delle Partorienti).

2003

The Order co-sponsors a tour of a relic of San Juan Diego’s tilma throughout the United States.

2003

In cooperation with the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, the Order sends 10,000 rosaries to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

2005

2000-01

The Order opens Villa Maria Guadalupe, a pro-life retreat center in Stamford, Conn., operated by the Sisters of Life.

2001

2005 Our Lady of Bai Dau Statue Pilgrimage is launched by Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Council 9655 in Arlington, Va.

An Our Lady of Guadalupe Marian Prayer Program features the mosaic that was blessed by Pope John Paul II a year earlier. At the 123rd Supreme Convention the Order announces that March 25, the feast of the Annunciation, will be observed annually as the Knights of Columbus Day of the Unborn Child.

2002-03

The Our Lady of the Rosary Marian Prayer Program, featuring the Virgin of the Rosary by 17th-century Spanish painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, is dedicated to peace in the world.

2002-04

The Knights of Columbus funds the restoration of two Marian chapels in St. Peter’s Basilica: the Chapel of the Bruised Madonna (Madonna della Bocciata) and the Chapel of Our Lady of 12 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦

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2006

In honor of the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, the Order co-sponsors an essay contest with the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

2006

The Knights of Columbus announces a $1 million gift to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for a mosaic dome in the Upper Church.

2006 The Arizona Knights of Columbus

At the Rosary Bowl in Pasadena May 19, Supreme Knight Anderson says that Our Lady of Guadalupe and the rosary are the bonds that unite Catholics in North, Central, and South America, the “Catholic Hemisphere.”

2008 The Catholic Information Service publishes A Guide to Praying the Rosary.

2009

The Order hosts the first International Marian Congress and Guadalupe Festival, gathering about 20,000 participants in Phoenix, Ariz.

2009

Supreme Knight Anderson and Msgr. Chávez co-author the book Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother of the Civilization of Love (Doubleday).

2010

The Order sponsors the Rosary of Guadalupan Love at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

2011

For the fourth time, a Marian Prayer Program dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe is launched.

2011-12

The Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven, Conn., hosts the exhibit “Full of Grace: Crowned Madonnas from the Vatican Basilica.”

2012

The Knights of Columbus cosponsors the Guadalupe Celebration with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at the Los

Photo by L’Osservatore Romano

2000

Above: Guadalupe Celebration participants at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Aug. 5, 2012, hold flags of Mexico featuring the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. • Left: Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson visits with Dr. Lorenza D’Allesandro, principal restorer of the Madonna del Soccorso (Our Lady of Help), the most revered Marian image in St. Peter’s Basilica, in November 2013.

of Directors attends the Papal Mass for the Year of Faith “Marian Day” Oct. 13. The original Fatima statue is carried in procession by various groups, including a Fourth Degree honor guard.

Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Order also funds a new chapel to Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.

MADONNA: Photo by M. Falcioni, Fabbrica di San Pietro

2012

An International Congress on Ecclesia in America is held in Rome Dec. 10-12. The event is co-sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and organized with the Institute for Guadalupan Studies in Mexico City.

2012-13 The Supreme Council underwrites the restoration of the ancient fresco paintings of the Madonna of the Column (Madonna della Colonna) and

Our Lady of Help (Madonna del Soccorso), two revered Marian images in St. Peter’s Basilica.

2013

The Order launches its latest Marian Prayer Program, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and featuring an image from the Basilica-Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Québec.

2013 In May, the 55th International Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes is cosponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. 2013

The Knights of Columbus Board

2013 A Pilgrimage and Meeting titled “Our Lady of Guadalupe: Star of the New Evangelization on the American Continent” and co-sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America is held Nov. 16-19 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica in Mexico City. 2013

The Catholic University of America and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception award the Patronal Medal Dec. 9 to Supreme Knight Anderson for his distinguished service in the advancement of Marian devotion, theology and appreciation of the place of Mary in the life of the Catholic Church.♦ M AY 2014

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United Under

Our Lady’s Mantle Knights celebrate the 35th anniversary of the international Marian Prayer Program by Ruane Remy

words unsheathed and held aloft, Fourth Degree Knights ing to Dechant, the pilgrim virgin statue of Our Lady of Fastood on guard as a framed image of Mary under the title tima inspired the form that the program would take. of the Immaculate Conception was carried in procession to “When I was a young man in Kansas, we looked forward to the altar of St. Eugene de Mazenod Church on March 29. the Our Lady of Fatima program, which had a statue that went In his homily, Father Adam Filas said that the Blessed Virgin from parish to parish,” he said. “It built up a lot of devotion Mary was the first Christian, the first believer in Jesus, adding, to Our Lady from the late ’50s to the ’70s.” “We welcome her with open hearts and open minds.” Dechant believed that the Fatima program could be adapted Father Filas, a priest of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Im- in a wonderfully effective way by the Knights. Instead of using maculate and a member of St. Eugene de Mazenod Council statues, they would use a number of traveling paintings. And 12916, is pastor of the Brampton, Ontario, church, which he aware of Pope John Paul II’s close relationship with the Blessed calls “very Marian-oriented.” Located within the Archdiocese Mother, the Supreme Council formally requested that the of Toronto, St. Eugene Church consists pope bless each copy, a tradition that largely of Polish parishioners and incontinues today. cludes shrines of Our Lady of The image chosen for the inaugural Ludźmierz and St. John Paul II, who program was Our Lady of Guadalupe, IKE OUR LADY, was deeply devoted to Mary. patroness of the Americas. It is little wonder, then, that Father “By picking Our Lady of Guadalupe, WE WANT TO BE OPEN TO Filas, his fellow Knights and the parishwe really tied together Mexico and the ioners warmly welcomed the image of Philippines and the United States,” THE HOLY SPIRIT AND the Immaculate Conception, which is Dechant explained. “It helped us create at the heart of the current Knights of a great international bond under Our AVAILABLE TO ACCOMPLISH Columbus Marian Prayer Program. Lady, and it just took hold.” GOD’S PLAN IN TODAY’S Through this international initiative, The images of Our Lady were passed hundreds of blessed copies of the Marfrom council to council, where a special WORLD.” ian image are traveling from council to hour of Marian prayer was held in the council within each jurisdiction. Over presence of the image. Redemptorist the course of the two-year program, Father John V. McGuire, then-director which was launched last August, of the Order’s Catholic Information Knights have been facilitating thousands of prayer services for Service, was charged with developing the first prayer service. councils and communities, celebrating Mary’s pivotal role in Father McGuire was, according to Dechant, “a great writer and the Church in a unique way. It is the 16th Orderwide program very pragmatic,” and continued to assist drafting and revising using a sacred image as its centerpiece, together gathering some subsequent programs. 16 million people in prayer since 1979. Since Mary is honored under a wide range of titles and images throughout the Church, there has never been a shortage DECADES OF DEVOTION of icons for the Knights to choose from. Past Supreme Knight Virgil C. Dechant initiated the first MarSupreme Knight Carl A. Anderson, in his 2004 annual reian Hour of Prayer 35 years ago, two years after taking office, port, observed, “Our Marian prayer services, which over the in order to help renew devotion to the Blessed Virgin and to years have used various depictions of Our Lady from many commemorate the 125th anniversary of Pope Pius IX’s procla- countries and traditions, reflect the rich cultural and ethnic mation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Accord- heritage of the Knights of Columbus.”

“L

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ONTARIO: Photos by Ingrid Punwani — QUEBEC: Daniel Abel/Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec — WASHINGTON: Photo by Matthew Barrick

Clockwise from top: Parishioners pray before the image of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception at St. Eugene de Mazenod Church in Brampton, Ontario, March 29. • Bishops and priests lead the congregation in prayer before the original painting at the Cathedral-Basilica of NotreDame de Québec following Mass during the Knights’ Midyear Meeting in Québec City Nov. 7, 2013. • Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore delivers his homily during the Knights’ Year of Faith Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., Sept. 8, 2013. • Knights in Mexico present the current Marian Prayer Program image for veneration at a home for the elderly. • A child holds the current Marian Prayer Program booklet during Mass at St. Eugene de Mazenod Church. M AY 2014

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Msgr. Eduardo Chávez, postulator for the cause of canonization of St. Juan Diego, introduces the 2011-13 Marian Prayer Program featuring Our Lady of Guadalupe at the 129th Supreme Convention in Denver Aug. 3, 2011. In all but three of the 16 Orderwide prayer programs, Marian images have served as centerpieces, ranging from the familiar images of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Our Lady of Częstochowa to lesser-known Madonnas, such Our Lady of Pochaiv and Our Lady of Charity. (Editor’s note: Additional information about the individual prayer programs are included in the timeline beginning on page 8.) In each case, participants everywhere have enthusiastically embraced the program, even when the featured image is relatively unfamiliar to their culture. For example, in Poland during the 2011-12 program featuring Our Lady of Guadalupe, 30,000 people visited the image in the city of Rzeszów alone. “The faithful came to me and said that Our Lady came to visit them because they did not have the money to travel to Mexico,” said Father Janusz Kosior, chaplain of St. Hedwig the Queen Council 15268 in Rzeszów. “They thought of it as their holiday, and they made a pilgrimage from different areas of our province.” In the Philippines, where the Immaculate Conception was declared patroness in 1942, the current program is being received with open arms. “The Blessed Virgin Mary has always had a special place in the spiritual journey of the Filipinos,” said Anthony Nazaro, state secretary of Visayas. Following last year’s devastating typhoon, he said that the prayer program has been “a source of strength for many and a refuge for those who experience difficulty.” LEADING US TO CHRIST The current Marian Prayer Program, which was launched at the 131st Supreme Convention in San Antonio in August 16 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦

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2013, for the second time features Mary as the Immaculate Conception. To commemorate the 350th anniversary of the parish of Notre-Dame de Québec, the image chosen for the program is a reproduction of a painting that hangs above the main altar at the basilica-cathedral in Québec City. Sister Mary of the Eucharist, a Sister of Charity of Québec, composed the colorful image after a fire at the cathedral destroyed the original 18th-century painting in 1922. At the inauguration ceremony of the current program, nowCardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, archbishop of Québec, addressed those assembled: “May Our Lady accompany our Church and all the members of our Order all over the world. Like her, we want to be open to the Holy Spirit and available to accomplish God’s plan in today’s world.” Communal as well as personal intentions play an integral part in the prayer service. Members of Council 12916 in Brampton, for instance, offered prayers for respect of the life from conception to natural death. District Deputy John Rafacz of Ontario District #103 included thanks for answered prayers when kidney failure had threatened his life eight years ago. Grand Knight Slavek Piskorski said that he prayed for global peace and “unity within families so that they will stay strong and healthy,” adding that the parish also hosted workshops for couples and families around the time that the pilgrim image was at the church. Whatever their intentions, the Marian Prayer Program “brings people together to serve the Church, to celebrate and to worship,” said District Deputy Terrence Long of Ontario District #43. “It brings Knights together, families together, the

THE MANY FACES OF MARY SINCE THE ORDER launched the Marian Prayer Program in 1979, a variety of Marian images have served as devotional centerpieces of the international initiative. Beginning with Our Lady of Guadalupe, various Marian images have been chosen, reflecting the rich cultural diversity within the Order. Below is a sample of some of the images, each blessed by the pope and distributed to councils worldwide.

Filipino K of C leaders and their wives carry images of the 1990-91 Marian Prayer Program featuring Titian’s famous painting of Our Lady of the Assumption.

From top: The Immaculate Conception (1981-82), featuring a 17th-century painting by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo • Our Lady of Perpetual Help (1984-85), a renowned Byzantine icon • Our Lady of Czestochowa (1986-87), Poland’s beloved “Black Madonna” • Our Lady of Pochaiv (1988-89), a Ukrainian icon • Our Lady of the Rosary (2002-03), also by Murillo • Our Lady of Charity (2007-08), patroness of Cuba

community together,” he added, underscoring the Order’s ability to foster unity and devotion. Indeed, the Marian Prayer Program remains one of the most visible and popular spiritual initiatives sponsored by the Knights. “This is fundamental evangelization,” said Past Supreme Knight Dechant. “I think that the Knights have helped an awful lot in bringing people back to the faith and to the rosary. And, of course, the traveling Madonna has played a significant role. With so many councils participating, that’s a tremendous program.” Over the years, the rosary-centered program has developed so that Knights can organize a prayer service with or without a priest. The current program booklet contains a Liturgy of the Word, intercessions and Marian hymns and prayers, including instructions on praying the rosary. Pope Francis’ homily from the Solemnity of the Assumption, Aug. 15, 2013, is also included, in case a bishop, priest or deacon is not leading the service and preaching a homily of his own. The prayer program at St. Eugene Church was adapted and incorporated into the March 29 Mass, which celebrated Founder’s Day and included prayers for the cause for canonization of Venerable Michael McGivney. Father Filas blessed the image of the Immaculate Conception with incense and expressed in his homily the hope that those present might turn in prayer to the Blessed Virgin as their mother. She intercedes on our behalf, helping us to imitate Jesus to overcome temptation and sin, he said. “Experiences of Marian devotion bring conversion,” said Father Filas, adding that when we follow Mary, “We become better people, live better lives and become joyful witnesses of Christ in this world.”♦ RUANE REMY is a reporter and youth editor for The Catholic Register, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Toronto. M AY 2014

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PopeandFrancis the Mother of Mercy Beginning with his Jesuit formation in Argentina, Pope Francis has cultivated a deep devotion to Our Lady by Bishop Michael C. Barber, S.J.

ardinal Jorge Mario Bergolio had been pope for less than 24 hours when, on the morning following his election, he called for a car to take him across the city. The first place the bishop of Rome chose to visit outside the Vatican was the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the first church in the West dedicated to the Mother of God. Once inside, Pope Francis venerated the image of Mary under the title “Salus Populi Romani” (“Salvation of the Roman People”), patroness of the city of Rome. Of mysterious origins, this image of Mary was originally carried in procession by St. Pope Gregory the Great in the sixth century, as he and the people of Rome prayed to Mary for deliverance from the plague. Notably, “salus” can also be translated as “health,” and on a second visit to the basilica 40 days after his election, Pope Francis spoke of our Lady’s concern for the health of her children. “Mary is the mother, and a mother worries above all about the health of her children,” Pope Francis said. “Like a buona mamma [good mom],” he added, “she helps us grow, to confront life, to be free.” Over the past five decades as a Jesuit priest, bishop and now pope, the Holy Father has expressed a tender devotion to the Blessed Mother under various titles, from Our Lady of Luján to Mary, Undoer of Knots. 18 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦

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Father Bergoglio once told the Jesuits in his care, “The magisterium will tell you who Mary is, but it is our believing people who will teach you how to love Mary.” Expressed by simple piety grounded in rich theology, Pope Francis’ filial loyalty to Our Lady is a matter of both the head and the heart. JESUIT ROOTS The roots of Pope Francis’ devotion to and theology of Mary can be traced to his Jesuit vocation. When the pope speaks of the central mysteries of our faith, we Jesuits listen to his words as eagerly as everyone else, and we can’t help but say to ourselves, “I know where he got that!” Young Jorge Bergolio’s spirituality and devotion were formed in the training he received to become a priest in the Society of Jesus. The Holy Father underscored this fact last summer during an interview with reporters on his flight back to Rome from Rio de Janeiro: “I feel Jesuit in my spirituality, in the spirituality of the Exercises, the spirituality, that which I have in my heart. I haven’t changed my spirituality, no. Francis, Franciscan, no. I feel Jesuit and I think like a Jesuit.” Just what are the “Exercises” that the pope mentioned? The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius comprise the meditations of

Photo by Stefano Rellandini/Reuters

CNS photo/Giampiero Sposito, Reuters

Opposite page: Pope Francis touches the image of Mary titled Salus Populi Romani, which was brought to St. Peter’s Square for the Pentecost vigil Mass May 18, 2013. • Above: Pope Francis venerates an image of Mary on the feast of the Assumption at Castel Gandolfo Aug. 15, 2013.

the 30-day, strictly silent, guided retreat that all Jesuits — including Father Bergoglio — make twice in their lives. As a young priest, Father Bergoglio was appointed by the father general to be novice master, which meant he also preached the Spiritual Exercises to the young men beginning their Jesuit formation. They say that if you want to know something well, teach it. It is in this retreat, in these Exercises, that we find the main source of Pope Francis’ Marian devotion. In the course of the retreat, St. Ignatius frequently directs the retreatant to “converse with Our Lady” in a warm and familiar manner. We are told to ask her for what we desire. Then St. Ignatius tells us what to ask for: “I will ask her to intercede with her Son for the grace to feel sorry for my sins” or “that I may be placed under his standard.” In the course of the 30 days, St. Ignatius directs us to ask for many things, but one theme in particular recurs continually: “I will ask Our Lady to place me with her Son.” Father Bergoglio incorporated this request to Mary into his own ministry. In a profound talk given while serving as a Jesuit superior in Argentina, the future pope said, “We need to pray to the Blessed Virgin, so much loved as she is by our people, that she should be willing to place us with her Son, and

also thereby, in this simple request, to recover our identity as men of the Church.” Since his election, Francis has continued to preach on this Ignatian theme. In October 2013, he said, “Mary points to Jesus. She asks us to bear witness to Jesus. She constantly guides us to her Son Jesus, because in him alone do we find salvation. He alone can change the water of our loneliness, difficulties and sin into the wine of encounter, joy and forgiveness. He alone.” DEVOTIONS FROM NEAR AND FAR Together with the traditional Jesuit devotions to Our Lady of Montserrat and the Madonna della Strada (Our Lady of the Way), the Holy Father has long shown his personal devotion to Mary under three titles: Our Lady of Luján, patroness of Argentina; Our Lady of Aparecida, patroness of Brazil; and perhaps his favorite, Mary, Undoer of Knots. Archbishop Bergoglio often used to assist in the pastoral ministry of the pilgrims coming to Our Lady of Luján’s shrine in Buenos Aires, including celebrating Masses, hearing confessions and providing spiritual counseling. As a member and president of the Latin American Bishops’ Conference, he would often go to meetings at the Marian shrine of Aparecida M AY 2014

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Holy Mary, full of God’s presence during the days of your life, you accepted with full humility the Father’s will, and the devil was never able to tie you around with his confusion. Once with your Son you interceded for our difficulties, and full of kindness and patience you gave us an example of how to untie the knots of our life. By remaining forever Our Mother, you put in order, and make more clear the ties that link us to the Lord. Holy Mother, Mother of God, and our Mother, who untie with a motherly heart the knots of our life, we pray to you to receive in your hands (the person’s name), and to free him/her of the knots and confusion with which our enemy attacks. Through your grace, your intercession, and your example, deliver us from all evil, Our Lady, and untie the knots that prevent us from being united with God, so that we, free from sin and error, may find him in all things, may have our hearts placed in him, and may serve him always in our brothers and sisters. Amen.

in Brazil. He returned there last July for World Youth Day and was visibly emotional — shaking actually — as he reverenced the Black Virgin’s statue. With such flourishing Marian shrines in Latin America, it is unusual that Father Bergoglio imported a devotion from faraway Germany to his homeland. Sent abroad for studies following his ordination, Father Bergoglio discovered a painting of the Blessed Virgin titled “Undoer of Knots” in Augsburg and brought a postcard copy back to Argentina. The history of the devotion is traced to 1615 when a couple on the verge of divorce went to see a Jesuit priest, known for his Marian devotion, for counseling. The couple brought their white wedding ribbon, which, according to Bavarian custom, had been used to tie their hands together as a sign of unity during their nuptial Mass. Praying fervently that the couple’s problems would be resolved, the priest took the ribbon and held it up before an image of Our Lady and proceeded to untie the ribbon’s knots. As the last knot came undone, the ribbon miraculously glowed whiter, and the priest took it as a sign of Our Lady’s favor. The couple stayed together, and a painting was later commissioned to commemorate the event. Years later, Bishop Bergoglio asked that copies of the painting be displayed in churches and chapels throughout the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires. As cardinal, he had a chalice made with the image of Mary, Undoer of Knots and, in an act of particular tenderness and devotion, presented it to Pope Benedict XVI following the German pope’s election. 20 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦

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I believe this particular title of Mary appeals to Pope Francis because he was constantly helping people with relationship issues during his priesthood. This year on St. Valentine’s Day, Pope Francis spoke off the cuff to 25,000 engaged couples in St. Peter’s Square: “We all know the perfect family does not exist. The perfect husband does not exist and the perfect wife does not exist.” Then, the punch line: “Let’s not even talk about perfect mothers-in-law.” The crowd roared. Pope Francis has clearly shown that he is in touch with common people and our everyday problems. And he knows where we should take these difficulties: to Our Lady. Addressing a crowd in St. Peter’s Square Oct. 12, 2013, he said, “We know one thing: nothing is impossible for God’s mercy! Even the most tangled knots are loosened by his grace. And Mary, whose ‘yes’ opened the door for God to undo the knot of the ancient disobedience, is the Mother who patiently and lovingly brings us to God, so that he can untangle the knots of our soul by his fatherly mercy.” If you, like me, are suffering from some difficulties — some knots — in your life, do what Pope Francis does: Go to Mary. Ask her to place you with her Son. Ask her to untie your knots.♦ MOST REV. MICHAEL C. BARBER, S.J., was appointed the fifth bishop of Oakland, Calif., by Pope Francis in May 2013 and ordained to the episcopate later that month. He is a member of Christ the Light Council 15191 in Oakland.

PAINTING: Maria Knotenlöserin (Mary, Undoer of Knots) by Johann Georg Melchior Schmidtner (ca. 1700). Church of St. Peter am Perlach, Augsburg, Germany.

PRAYER OF POPE FRANCIS TO MARY, UNDOER OF KNOTS

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

Is Mary for Men? The Blessed Virgin Mary’s bold faith and virtue prompts men to strive for Christian greatness by Edward Sri

PAINTING: Scala/Art Resource, NY

rowing up in the Chicago area, many of my heroes Years later, when the wine ran out at the wedding in were local pro athletes: Michael Jordan dunking the Cana, Mary immediately took the problem to her Son, basketball or Walter Payton rocketing head first into the trusting him to do the right thing (cf. Jn 2:1-5). In short, end zone. I also turned to male movie heroes, from Indi- Mary was sure of herself and knew how to get things done. ana Jones and his adventures to William Wallace taking From her wholehearted “yes” to God, we men should on the English army in Braveheart. These were characters learn also to be bold in faith and action. We must be deof courage, sacrifice, leadership and success who appealed cisive in our resolve to serve our families, friends, neighto my masculine nature. But it bors and parishes. This means took me a while to see Mary as not waiting for others to step in, an inspiring model as well. but instead allowing our comTrue Catholic men honor fortable routines to be disrupted Mary as the mother of Jesus, and in order to help those in need. admire her purity, humility and Perseverance. Mary did not obedience. They take Mary as complain, get discouraged or run their spiritual mother, pray the from commitments when the rosary and defend her against going got tough. Consider her ancritics with the loyalty of a son. guish at the Presentation, when But can we relate to the Simeon prophesied that her child Blessed Virgin Mary as men and would be “a sign of contradiction” find in her inspiration for our and her own heart would be lives? With a little prayer and repierced by a sword (Lk 2:34-35). flection, the answer is “yes.” As St. John Paul II described this mothe only human person who was ment as the “second Annuncia“full of grace,” exempt from origtion” to Mary (Redemptoris Mater, inal sin, Mary models for us 16). At the first Annunciation in more than any other saint the Nazareth, she assented to being Mary and Jesus are depicted at the Wedding at Cana virtues needed for Christian the mother of the Messiah; here in this panel of the Maestà altarpiece, painted by greatness. These virtues apply to she received a clearer picture of Duccio di Buoninsegna in the early 14th century. men and women alike. Here are where this vocation would lead — just two of Mary’s many virtues to the pain and loss of the cross. that inspire me as a man: Yet, ever aware of this impending trial, Mary never became Decisiveness. In an age when many men delay decisions, disheartened or backed out. She persevered in her mission fear commitment and are quick to entertain themselves yet as mother of the Messiah and remained with Jesus in his slow to serve others, Mary can inspire us by her decisive darkest hour on Calvary. By her example, Mary challenges action. She always gave a prompt response to the demands us to remain faithful to our own commitments at home, at of the moment. When the angel came with the message work and in the community, no matter how hard things may that she was to be the mother of the Messiah, she was become or how much is demanded from us. To become bet“troubled” and confused as she knelt at the crossroads of ter men, we ought to look to Mary, staying faithful to our salvation history (Lk 1:29). Nevertheless, she gave her un- duties to God and others, even in the shadow of the cross.♦ reserved “yes,” accepting Jesus into her womb (Lk 1:38). Then, putting her own concerns aside, she went “in haste” EDWARD SRI is vice president of mission and a professor of to the hill country to help her pregnant, elderly kinswoman theology at the Augustine Institute in Denver. He is a member Elizabeth (Lk 1:39). There, she proclaimed her Magnificat, of St. Thomas More Council 10205 in Littleton, Colo. His latest exalting the greatness of God and rejoicing in the coming book is Walking with Mary: A Biblical Journey from Nazareth to the Cross (Image Books, 2013). of his kingdom of love and justice (cf. Lk 1:46-55). FIND ADDITIONAL ARTICLES AND RESOURCES FOR CATHOLIC MEN AND THEIR FAMILIES AT FATHERSFORGOOD. ORG .

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Star of Evangelization The

For many decades, Knights have served as missionaries of Our Lady of Guadalupe and her message by Lizette Lantigua

22 â&#x2122;Ś C O L U M B I A â&#x2122;Ś

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t was a sweltering August day in Phoenix in 2009 when Msgr. Eduardo Chávez, postulator of St. Juan Diego’s cause for thousands of people thronged the Jobing.com Arena to canonization, wrote: “In the 16th century, Our Lady of gather for a historic event: the Guadalupe Festival, co-spon- Guadalupe became an expression of hope and unity for millions sored by the Knights of Columbus. Despite the heat outside throughout the Americas. We are convinced that Our Lady of and the near-capacity crowd within, the multitude was unde- Guadalupe’s message is today capable of being not only an exterred from raising their voices in joyful song and prayer. pression but a true catalyst of hope and unity for millions more During the event, which featured speakers, singers, tradi- throughout North America and the world.” tional dancers and even a multinational rosary prayed in 26 Likewise, Juan Diego — a layman and the first indigenous languages, a tiny piece of St. Juan Diego’s tilma, or cloak, was saint of the Americas — provides a model for Christians carried in solemn procession to take center stage at the arena. today. This relic symbolized the Christian “We must be witnesses with our faith and heritage shared by people of lives, so that our example will be like a diverse cultures under the mantle of living tilma, and will provide a map to Our Lady. all we encounter of a civilization where The festival, like the International love triumphs and motivates all acMarian Congress that preceded it, was tion,” wrote Anderson and Chávez. certainly not the first time that the In St. Juan Diego’s footsteps, the Order has celebrated Our Lady of Knights have consistently spread devoGuadalupe. Indeed, Knights have tion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, so shared a special bond with Our Lady that she might gather people of differfor more than a century. And this ent cultures together in Christian bond has only grown stronger as unity. As early as 1905, Supreme Knights have worked to ensure that Knight Edward L. Hearn visited Mexthe significance of her message of charico City to install the officers of ity and unity becomes better known. Guadalupe Council 1050, the first Especially in recent years, following council in Mexico. Supreme Knight Pope John Paul II’s 1999 apostolic exLuke E. Hart returned five decades hortation Ecclesia in America and the later to visit the Basilica of Our Lady canonization of St. Juan Diego in of Guadalupe in Mexico City and to 2002, the Guadalupan message has incelebrate the 50th anniversary of the creasingly permeated Catholic life on Order’s presence in that country. the American continent and beyond, Devotion to Our Lady developed Opposite page: “Juan Diego: Servant of the resonating as clearly today as it did five among Knights of all ages. The New Evangelization,” a painting by Italian centuries ago. Columbian Squires, the official youth artist Antonella Cappuccio, was commissioned organization of the Order, began the by the Knights of Columbus in 2009. • A TRADITION OF DEVOTION “Running of the Silver Rose” program Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori The Virgin Mary’s apparitions on Tein 1960. To this day, silver roses travel of Baltimore processes with a relic of St. Juan peyac hill in Mexico as a pregnant mesdifferent North American routes from Diego’s tilma during the Guadalupe Celebratiza, a woman of mixed race, took place Canada, through the United States, tion in Los Angeles Aug. 5, 2012. during a time of violent cultural conand into Mexico. The routes culminate flict between the Spanish and the NaDec. 12, the feast of Our Lady of tive Americans. Following the Spanish Guadalupe. conquest of the Aztec Empire in 1521, Europeans flooded into The roses have also come to represent the culture life, inthe New World with a diversity of motives: some to seek for- spired by key components of the Guadalupan image: The tune and fame, some to settle or explore, some to evangelize. ribbon above the Virgin’s waist indicates that she is pregYet as a result of Mary’s encounters with the humble lay nant, and the four-petal flower over her womb signifies her convert Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin in December 1531 and child’s divinity. the miraculous image imprinted on his tilma, an unprecedented cultural transformation took place. Our Lady’s image MARY IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM bore symbols that the native peoples immediately understood, Our Lady of Guadalupe was chosen as the centerpiece of the and the Gospel spread at an astounding rate. By 1539, nearly Order’s first two-year Marian Prayer Program, launched in 9 million Native Americans, along with many Spaniards, had 1979, as well as similar programs in 1995-96, 2000-01 and been converted to Christ through Our Lady’s message of 2011-13. Through these events, hundreds of images of Our mercy and Juan Diego’s witness of faith. Lady of Guadalupe have circulated among the Order’s jurisIn their book, Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother of the Civi- dictions, visiting churches, schools and other locations for lization of Love (2009), Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson and special prayer services (see article on page 14). M AY 2014

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The third Marian Prayer Program dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe featured a mosaic that was commissioned by the Knights of Columbus from the Vatican’s Mosaic Studios and blessed by Pope John Paul II in October 1998. Three months later, the pope referred to Our Lady of Guadalupe as “Patroness of all America and Star of the first and new evangelization” (Ecclesia in America, 11). When Supreme Knight Anderson was elected in 2000, he traveled to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City for his installation Feb. 3, 2001. There, he received a cross-shaped silver reliquary containing the relics of six Knights of Columbus priest-martyrs who had been canonized one year earlier. He also solemnly dedicated the Order and his administration to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Just two years later, millions of people from around the world visited that same basilica in Mexico City to celebrate the canonization of Juan Diego. During his homily on July 31, 2002, Pope John Paul II underscored the fundamental unity that binds mankind together under God, “who makes no distinctions of race or culture.” He said, “In accepting the Christian message without forgoing his indigenous identity, Juan Diego discovered the profound truth of the new humanity, in which all are called to be children of God.” The pope had previously emphasized this message of unity in Ecclesia in America: “America, which historically has been, and still is, a melting-pot of peoples, has recognized in the mestiza face of the Virgin of Tepeyac, ‘in Blessed Mary of Guadalupe, an impressive example of a perfectly inculturated evangelization’” (11). Inspired by this insight, the Order has redoubled its efforts in recent years to promote the universal message of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In 2003, the Knights co-sponsored a national tour of the tilma relic that was donated to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles by the Archdiocese of Mexico City in 1941. A symbol of the bonds between people of diverse cultures and across borders, this unique relic is now enshrined in a chapel of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. The chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, was completed in 2012 with a grant from the Order. Other enduring examples of the Knights’ devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe exist as well. In keeping with its tradition of fostering vocations, the Order voted at the 1983 Supreme Convention to set up the Our Lady of Guadalupe Fund to benefit the Mexican Pontifical College in Rome. In 2005, the Knights opened Villa Maria Guadalupe, an international pro-life retreat center in Stamford, Conn. Operated by the Sisters of Life, the center’s mission is to serve as place of healing, hope and renewal. MOTHER OF THE AMERICAS Whereas the 2009 Guadalupe Festival in Phoenix drew thousands, the Guadalupe Celebration, co-sponsored by the Knights and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in August 2012, attracted tens of thousands to the Los Angeles Memorial Col24 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦

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iseum. The largest Catholic event at the open-air stadium since Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass there in 1987, the celebration featured speakers, prayer, performances and a visit from the U.S.-based tilma relic. In his keynote address, Archbishop José H. Gómez of Los Angeles stressed that the message Our Lady of Guadalupe transcends ethnic and geographical boundaries. “Our Lady of Guadalupe is not only the mother of the people of Mexico,” he said. “She is the mother of all the peoples of the Americas.” Archbishop Gómez added that Our Lady’s mission at Tepeyac continues today. “Jesus Christ wants to make use of us, just as he made use of St. Juan Diego,” he said. “He wants us to be apostles and missionaries.” A few months later, the Knights co-sponsored an international congress on Ecclesia in America in Rome from Dec. 1012, 2012. Celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Synod of Bishops for America, scores of clergy and laity from North, Central and South America were joined by Vatican representatives to discuss Our Lady of Guadalupe’s indispensable role in facing the challenges of the new evangelization. On the eve of the congress, the feast of St. Juan Diego, Pope Benedict XVI addressed the participants with ardent words of encouragement: “Dear friends, the love of Christ impels us … to proclaim his name throughout America.” The pope then invoked Our Lady of Guadalupe “as a model of openness to God’s grace and of perfect concern for others,” and he commended the congress to “her maternal and loving protection.” A year later, hundreds of clergy and lay leaders from across the Americas gathered in Mexico City Nov. 16-19, 2013, for a similar pilgrimage and meeting titled, “Our Lady of Guadalupe: Star of the New Evangelization on the American Continent.” Also co-sponsored by the Knights, the four-day event built on the work of the Roman congress and forged strong bonds in the “continental mission” called for in Ecclesia in America. Pope Francis greeted the participants in a video message Nov. 16, urging them to make “missionary outreach the paradigm of all pastoral activity.” In a reference to the miraculous roses that filled Juan Diego’s tilma, he added, “If you do this, do not be surprised if roses bloom in the middle of winter. Because, you know, both Jesus and we have the same mother!” Cardinal Marc Ouellet, president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and former primate of Canada, later presented a “golden rose” to Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera of Mexico City. The rose, Cardinal Ouellet said, was offered on behalf of Pope Francis to the Virgin of Tepeyac. It was a simple gesture that, like the communal prayer and conversations made possible through such initiatives, bore witness to the communion it symbolized. In this way, it highlighted why the Order is committed to Our Lady of Guadalupe: Knights strive to be faithful missionaries, fostering ever-stronger bonds of charity and unity.♦ LIZETTE M. LANTIGUA writes from South Florida.

Clockwise from top: Participants pray the rosary in procession atop Tepeyac hill during the Pilgrimage and Meeting in Mexico City Nov. 16-19, 2013. • Msgr. Eduardo Chávez, postulator for the cause of canonization of St. Juan Diego, and Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson stand together at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. • Knights carry an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in procession in Skarzysko-Kamienna, Poland. • Cardinal Marc Ouellet, president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, delivers the closing homily at the Ecclesia in America conference in Rome Dec. 12, 2012. M AY 2014

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How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? Commonly misunderstood doctrines about the Virgin Mary highlight her unique role within Christ’s saving mission

ast summer, I met a very nice heretic at the community pool. A polite Presbyterian who was curious about my Catholic faith, she asked why Catholics worship the Virgin Mary. I explained that we do not worship Mary, but that we do venerate her as the most humble and exalted of all God’s creatures. She was still alarmed at this idea, so I tried to explain further. “You see, when you really stop to think who Jesus is and who Mary is, then you’ll understand that she is totally unique,” I said. “This is because Jesus Christ, God’s Son, took his human flesh from Mary and from no one else. Therefore, he looked like Mary. He was, in a sense, a masculine form of Mary.” The poor woman nearly choked on her Dr Pepper. “Why no!” she protested. “That’s not true! Jesus didn’t take his human flesh from Mary!” “What do you think happened?” “I’m not sure,” she stammered. “I think Jesus just sort of ‘came through’ Mary.” “So she was a conduit or a channel for him to come from heaven into the world?” “That’s right!” she smiled brightly. Although it may sound harsh to call this nice Presbyterian at the pool a heretic, she simply did not hold the orthodox, historical understanding of the doctrine of the Incarnation. She believed a faulty, partial truth, and that’s precisely what a heresy is. A heresy is not a total lie. It is a firmly held half-truth. MARY, MOTHER OF GOD Presbyterian convert and author Kimberly Hahn once said that there were three problems that kept her from becoming Catholic: “Mary, Mary and Mary.” In order to defend the Catholic faith, we have to understand it fully and clearly. Our beliefs about the Blessed Virgin Mary are among the most 26 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦

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misunderstood aspects of Catholicism. What we believe about Mary is linked with what we believe about Jesus Christ. That is why, in my conversation with the woman at the pool, I began the discussion about Jesus and the nature of his relationship to his mother. Once that becomes clear, the other doctrines about Mary follow logically. First, we state that Mary is Mother of God or Theotokos (“God-bearer”). This title, given to Mary at the Council of Ephesus in the year 431, was the result of debates in the Church about the true identity of Jesus Christ. To defend the understanding of Jesus as God incarnate — the second person of the Holy Trinity in human form — it was necessary to affirm that Jesus was fully human and also fully divine. St. Paul states, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman …” (Gal 4:4). Notice that he says born “of ” a woman, not “through” a woman. The person of Jesus was fully human because he received his fleshly existence from his mother — “was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,” as we confess in the Nicene Creed. At the same time, he remained fully divine. Therefore, we say that Mary is the Mother of God. ONCE AND ALWAYS A VIRGIN The Presbyterian at the pool would agree that Mary was a virgin when she conceived the Christ child, but she would likely assume that Mary went on to have more children with St. Joseph. Catholic tradition says otherwise. To understand why the early Christians believed that Mary never had marital relations with Joseph, we must first see how they understood the virtue of virginity. Virginity is more than never experiencing sexual intercourse. Instead, Mary’s virginity is a total purity linked to her

PAINTING: The Annunciation. Copy after Antonella da Messina (ca. 1430-1479). Antonello da Saliba (ca.1466-1535) / Cameraphoto Arte, Venice / Art Resource, NY

by Father Dwight Longenecker

complete “yes” to God’s will. This positive understanding of virginity explains why Church Fathers refer to Mary as the “new Eve,” just as Jesus is the “new Adam.” Mary’s “yes” reverses Eve’s “no.” Receiving a unique virginal fruitfulness, Mary gave birth to the Son of God and became the true “mother of all the living” (Gen 3:20). This does not mean that sexual intimacy between a man and wife is sinful. But in the unique case of the Holy Family, Joseph completely respected Mary’s virginity. Finally, people sometimes object by pointing out Scriptural references to Jesus’ “brothers and sisters” (cf. Mk 3:31-35; 6:3). Yet, these instances can also refer to close relatives, rather than siblings; this is how they have historically been understood.

her earthly life, by a special grace, both her body and soul were taken up into heaven. The Scriptures teach that our bodies will one day be resurrected — through the power of Christ’s resurrection. Mary’s glorious Assumption is a glorious glimpse of our final destiny in Christ. Because of sin, our bodies will decay and return to dust, but at the final resurrection we will share in the glories that Mary experienced when her earthly journey was complete.

CROWN HER WITH MANY CROWNS The Church teaches that after Mary’s Assumption, she was crowned as the Queen of Heaven. To appreciate this fully, we have to understand the role of the queen mother in ancient IsLET’S START AT THE BEGINNING rael. In ancient society, the role of queen fell not to a king’s wife Once the early Christians began to understand Mary’s purity, but to his mother, who interceded on behalf of the people. they naturally asked when this began. If Mary was the new At the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel announced to Mary Eve, she needed to face the choice to sin or not to sin, com- that her Son would be the heir of the great King David, and pletely free of any kind of bias. that his kingdom would have no end. If Jesus is the king, then However, human beings are born with original sin, and part that makes his mother, Mary, the queen mother. of this curse is the tendency to make In the Book of Revelation we read: the wrong choice. Because of this incli“A great sign appeared in the sky, a nation toward sin, known as concupiswoman clothed with the sun, … and cence, our free will is subject to selfish on her head a crown of twelve stars” attachments and desires. To have a (12:1). She gives birth to a child “desARY WAS REDEEMED completely free choice, Mary had to be tined to rule all the nations” who “was BY THE SACRIFICE OF free of concupiscence and preserved caught up to God and his throne” from original sin in some way. Echoing (12:5). The royal son is clearly Jesus, HER SON ON THE CROSS, the angel’s greeting, sacred tradition has and so his royal mother can be none recognized Mary as “full of grace.” other than Mary. SAVED RETROACTIVELY When did her graced existence begin? It must have begun when her MORE CHRISTIANITY FROM ORIGINAL SIN. life began. This dogma of the ImmacCatholics and Protestants are not so ulate Conception teaches that from different from one another. We the moment of Mary’s conception, Catholics affirm what they affirm; we which took place in the natural way just don’t deny what they deny. between her parents Anne and Joachim, she was uniquely pre- Whereas they have what C.S. Lewis called “mere Christianserved from the stain of original sin. ity,” we want “more Christianity” — that is, the fullness of Protestants will object that all people — Mary included — Christianity. fall short of the glory of God and need a redeemer (cf. Rom This “more” includes the fullness of the doctrines about the 3:23). Catholics agree. The dogma states that Mary was re- Virgin Mary. Catholics love Jesus, but we love his mother too. deemed by the sacrifice of her Son on the cross, saved retroac- Our beliefs reveal who Mary really is: the greatest of God’s tively from original sin “in view of the merits of Jesus Christ.” created beings. More importantly, Mary always points to her In a similar way, the Old Testament saints were saved by Son: “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5). Christ even though they died before his coming. Catholics love Mary because she points them to Jesus. Indeed, without Mary, Jesus would not have been born. ThereTHE GREAT ASSUMPTION fore, I sometimes say to people like the Presbyterian at the Some people claim the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin pool, “You could never have had Jesus without Mary, so why Mary is a false assumption of the Catholic Church. However, do you want to have Jesus without Mary?”♦ the doctrine of Mary’s assumption body and soul into heaven is an ancient belief that is related to the other beliefs we hold FATHER DWIGHT LONGENECKER is pastor of Our about Our Lady. Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Greenville, S.C., If Mary was preserved from original sin, then, like Christ, where he is a member of Msgr. Andrew K. Gwynn Council she experienced that purity and power in her whole being. 1668. His latest book is The Romance of Religion: Fighting for Our bodies and souls are an integrated whole, and Mary ex- Goodness, Truth and Beauty (Thomas Nelson, 2014) and his perienced this unity in an incomparable way. At the end of website is dwightlongenecker.com

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KNIGHTS IN ACTION

REPORTS FROM COUNCILS, ASSEMBLIES AND COLUMBIAN SQUIRES CIRCLES

paign in conjunction with its parish. Twenty-one Knights formed teams to visit nearly 2,000 homes and deliver personal invitations to visit the local Catholic church. RENOVATIONS TO CLINIC

San Juan Diego Council 14975 in Wahneta, Fla., donated $300 to the Angels Care Center of Eloise, a faithbased clinic for the needy. The funds will help the clinic with ongoing renovations. WINE TASTINGS High school students from the Church of Saint Monica in Duluth, Ga., help mix concrete for the floor of an orphanage during a mission trip to Nicaragua. Three Knights from St. Monica Council 12883 traveled with the students and their chaperones to help make the orphanage structurally sound for the malnourished and disabled children who live there. Council 12883 donated $1,500 toward travel expenses for the trip and collected toiletries and baby supplies for the orphanage prior to departure.

BOOKS FOR SCHOOL

Père F.X.J. Michaud Council 7010 in Bouctouche, New Brunswick, donated $1,000 to purchase new books for the library at Dr. Marguerite Michaud School. SHRINE SUPPORT

Father Theobald Spetz Council 5135 in Waterloo, Ontario, hosted a fund drive at their parish that raised $800 for the Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland. BORDER PRAYER SERVICE

Knights throughout the Diocese of El Paso, Texas, participated in the solidarity prayer service at the U.S.-Mexico border fence. Fifteen bishops ranging from Las Cruces, N.M., and along the border to Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Mexico, participated in the event. Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller 28 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦

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of San Antonio led the prayer service from the United States side of the border, while Bishop Renato Ascencio León of Cuidad Juárez, Chihuahua, responded with prayers and testimonials from the Mexican side. Knights also provided shelter to clergy during the event and distributed water and lemonade to attendees and border agents. CLOTHES FOR CHILDREN

Laval Council 2721 in Québec distributed clothes made by a local workshop to disadvantaged children at area schools. THE SQUEAKY PEW PROJECT

St. Francis of the Sacred Heart Council 14091 in Waltham, Mass., led a project to lubricate all of the kneelers at Sacred Heart Church. For many

years, the old kneelers in the church would squeak and groan during Mass, eliciting complaints from the choir and lectors. Knights spearheaded a drive to oil and repair all of the kneelers to eliminate any unwanted noises.

Culver City (Calif.) Council 3542 hosted a wine tasting and dinner that raised more than $4,500 for St. Augustine Church. The funds were used to make improvements to the choir loft. Meanwhile, Good Samaritan Council 14181 in Ellijay, Ga., hosted a wine-tasting event at a local winery that raised $1,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Ellijay.

A JOYFUL NOISE

St. Joseph Council 3814 in Oradell/New Milford, N.J., donated a Yamaha digital piano and bench to St. Joseph Church and School. The piano will be used to enhance Christmas and Easter liturgies that are celebrated in the school gym and will also be used by the school’s music teacher in music classes and school concerts. LOCAL EVANGELIZATION

St. Charles Borromeo Council 14832 in St. Anthony, Minn., conducted a door-todoor evangelization cam-

Members of Prince of Peace Council 12315 in Lake Villa, Ill., use a trench digger to make a hole for wiring while installing new digital signs at their parish. Knights partnered with the parish maintenance staff to prepare 700 feet of trenching for the signs’ electrical cables. By donating the manpower and equipment, Knights saved their parish approximately $4,000 in expenses.

KNIGHTS IN ACTION

accident. In addition to the dinner, the council also made several improvements at the home of the children after their uncle relocated from Colorado to raise them. Knights repaired the back deck, front porch, garage and siding, in addition to other projects, at the home. Donald Joseph (right) of Msgr. Arthur J. Lieux Assembly in Gonzales, La., presents the assembly’s annual patriotism medal to Adam Hoover. Each year, Knights present patriotism and ROTC awards to students at 10 area high schools. Hoover’s award — along with the other nine — was accompanied by a $100 honorarium to assist with his college expenses.

HELPING ORPHANS

Holy Spirit Council 10389 in Denver, N.C., came to the aid of two children who were orphaned after the tragic death of their mother. Knights held a spaghetti dinner that raised $5,300 for a college fund for Montgomery and Johanna Day, whose mother died in a motorcycle

Bill Fischer, Dave Kononitz and Jack King of St. Scholastica Council 14485 in Lecanto, Fla., lay drainage piping at the Daystar Life Center. Knights installed a new drainage system to eliminate puddles near the entrance to the center’s food pantry.

ROSARIES DONATED

La Cathedrale Notre-Dame Cathedral Council 13781 in Ottawa, Ontario, donated 200 rosaries to the Spiritual Care Service Department at Ottawa Hospital for distribution to patients who request them. PREGNANCY CENTER AID

Immaculate Heart of Mary Council 4240 in Atlanta provides ongoing support to the Advice and Aid Pregnancy Problem Center in Hapeville. Most recently, the council donated $6,000 to replace the facility roof and repave the parking lot. Knights were also heavily involved in an interior renovation project. WAREHOUSE VOLUNTEERS

As part of our Order’s “Food for Families” initiative, members of Resurrection of Our Lord Council 13701 in Ottawa, Ontario, volunteer every month at the Ottawa Food Bank’s warehouse. Knights and other volunteers help to sort 12-14 tons of food, which is distributed to the food bank’s 140 member agencies. In total, the food bank serves more than 48,000 people per month.

Larry Beauchamp, a volunteer at the Long Beach, Calif., VA Medical Center, floats in a pool during his aqua therapy while the wheelchair he received from the Knights of Columbus Orange County Chapter waits for him at the edge of the water. Knights from Orange County raised more than $80,000 to purchase wheelchairs for approximately 500 veterans and other recipients like Beauchamp, who has volunteered with veterans at the VA hospital for two years.

University of North Texas and Texas Women’s University in Denton. Knights served more than 700 meals at the event, raising nearly $16,000 to help support Father Walterscheid’s efforts.

and time outside the VA facility. The day included fishing, horseshoes and lawn games. Knights provided food to all those in attendance.

LADIES DAY OUT

St. John the Baptist Council 8891 in New Freedom, Pa., held a “Ladies Day Out” bingo event to benefit the Lourdeshouse Women’s Maternity Home in Harrisburg. The event consisted of 20 bingo games, along with two special games and two raffles for such items as designer purses. Vendors like Avon and Mary Kay helped attract more than 170 players, who raised $4,500 for the maternity home.

BUILDING A PARISH

FARM DAY

Muenster (Texas) Council 1459 hosted a fish fry to help Father Kyle Walterscheid build a new church for Blessed John Paul II University Parish. The parish encompasses students from the

Bishop Fenwick Council 2927 in Cincinnati hosted a group of 25 veterans from the Cincinnati VA Hospital at the council’s farm property. This annual event allows the veterans a chance to enjoy nature

Garland Picou (left) and Gary Taylor of Father Fraher Council 3404 in Lufkin, Texas, replace a clean window at St. Patrick School during a PTO-sponsored volunteer day. Knights joined parents and others to clean the school grounds, the cafeteria, library, classrooms and windows, and to make minor repairs.

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KNIGHTS IN ACTION

donations of shoes, clothes and toys for needy parishioners at St. Anne Church. Additional goods are sold to thrift stores, and the funds are used for ongoing repairs at the church. INNOCENTS REMEMBERED

Duff Foshage swings at a Whiffle ball pitch during a Whiffle ball tournament hosted by St. Clement of Rome Council 13604 in Des Peres, Mo. The tournament, which included a barbecue for players, drew teams from around the community and raised $900 for a council member who has a neurological disorder. Also pictured is J. J. Kirkpatrick as the catcher.

CHARITY FOR VICTIMS

Blessed Mother Seton Council 5410 in Flanders, N.J., hosted a charity drive to benefit the granddaughter of a council member who was injured in a fire. In 2013, a fire engulfed the home of Carmella Moustafa, claiming the life of her husband and son. Her daughter, Bianca,

was critically injured in the fire and has been undergoing treatment ever since. With medical expenses mounting, the council’s charity drive raised $2,700 to assist the family. DONATIONS CONTAINER

Sorel (Québec) Council 1132 built a container to receive

YOUTH INITIATIVES Assumption Council 3397 in Glassboro, N.J., assisted the youth group at Sts. Peter and Paul Church with two barbecue and car wash fundraisers that netted more that $1,500 for the youth group. The Rhode Island State Council sponsored a “Teens are Dynamite” charity dinner to benefit the only two remaining Catholic youth centers in the state. The dinner raised approximately $1,000 each for the Father Marot Center in Woonsocket and the Rejoice in Hope Center in Cranston. While delivering the check to the latter, council members also assisted youth with packing suppers for a homeless shelter in Providence. San Vicente de Paul Council 5360 in Manati, Puerto Rico, hosted a youth day for young parishioners from Our Lady of the Sea Parish. The day included a variety of activities like volleyball and dominoes, as well as food prepared by the Knights.

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Cambridge (Ohio) Council 1641 erected a memorial to five stillborn children at Mount Calvary Cemetery. The children, who died about 100 years ago, were previously buried in an unmarked grave at the edge of the cemetery. RAILINGS INSTALLED

Father Vincent M. Mulvin Council 12287 in Dallas, Ga., donated $1,000 to purchase and install railings leading up to the altar at St. Vincent de Paul Church. The brass rails will help elderly parishioners enter and exit the altar area. APPRECIATION WEEK

St. Mary Magdalen Council 14982 in Media, Pa., sponsored a “Religious Appreciation Week” at its parish school to raise awareness for vocations. Students wrote letters to each priest, deacon and religious, highlighting the personal virtues that the students admired and even giving examples of specific acts of kindness that the religious and clergy had performed. The students also created posters for each spiritual leader.

Kurt Balagna (left) of Immaculate Heart of Mary Council 4314 in Groton, Conn., lowers a golden cross into place atop Sacred Heart Church with assistance from fellow council member Richard Crooks (bottom right) and Mike Comeau of the parish maintenance staff. Over three evenings, Knights helped Comeau reattach the church’s golden cross after it had been taken down for reconditioning.

CORRECTIONS In the February 2014 issue of Columbia, the priest pictured on page 32 is misidentified as Father Marcellus McCarthy.

The

correct

spelling of the priest’s last name is McCartney. The Gospel of Luke is misquoted on page 23 of the March 2014 issue. The line from Lk 1:38 should read, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord.”

kofc.org exclusive See more “Knights in Action” reports and photos at www.kofc.org/ knightsinaction

The diocese in the bottom left photo on page 30 of the March 2014 issue is misidentified as Charlotte. Jimmy Touzeau is studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Charleston, S.C.

KNIGHTS IN ACTION

Knights provide cribs via ‘Project Manger’ Like the stable owner who sheltered pregnant Mary, Virginia Knights are ensuring that all babies have a safe place to sleep from the Arlington Catholic Herald, Diocese of Arlington, Va.

Photo courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald, Diocese of Arlington, Va.

n the fall of 2009, Dolores Wisecarver, director of Knights that help on delivery day,” said d’Alelio. “[VolunA Woman’s Choice pregnancy resource center in Falls teers] tell me time and time again how much it affects them Church, Va., published a request for assistance in the Holy and gets them excited about the project.” Spirit Church bulletin to help buy 75 cribs. Holy Spirit Wisecarver explained that A Woman’s Choice had a waitCouncil 11922 in Annandale wanted to help, so Knight ing list of 104 babies without beds, including a set of twins. Denny d’Alelio went to Wisecarver to learn more. All were sleeping on old mattresses with their mothers or on Wisecarver told d’Alelio that a woman had come to other makeshift arrangements. A Woman’s Choice after having an abortion. When asked “We did have one client three years ago whose baby tragiwhy, the woman said, “Because I don’t even have a crib for cally died of suffocation while sleeping in a bed with her parthe baby I already have.” ents,” Wisecarver added. The council decided to “So you can see how imtake action. A pro-life proportant this is for us.” gram called “Project As a result of the project, Manger” was born with these babies now have a the goal of making sure safe and comfortable place that no child is ever to get their much-needed aborted for lack of a bed. rest. With help from the None of this is particucouncil and the parish larly surprising, since all of community, the Project this work was born out of Manger team collected the Knights’ strong pro-life enough money to buy 75 mission and the Order’s cribs, mattresses, sheets call to Christian charity. and blankets that first year. “We in the Knights are Each crib was assembled very pro-life, and this, and delivered by Knights. along with the purchase of Knights Bob Rose (left) and Dick Cecka of Holy Spirit Council By the second year, the ultrasound machines for 11922 in Annandale, Va., load a crib and mattress to deliver to waiting list for cribs had pregnancy centers through a mother in need as part of the Knights’ “Project Manger.” grown to more than 150 the Knights of Columbus women, and the need has Ultrasound Initiative, is at increased every year since. In 2011, Project Manger ex- the very heart of that,” said Past State Deputy Tommy C. panded to Springfield Council 6153; Father Vincent S. Harger. Sikora Council 7992 in Burke; St. Mary of Sorrow Council Crib recipient Maria Lopez told one member of the de8600 in Fairfax; and St. John Bosco Council 12846 in livery team: “I could not be more grateful to the Knights for Springfield. The resulting increase in financial donations al- everything. My baby is going to have a place to sleep now lowed Project Manger to expand its support to four preg- because of you.” nancy resource centers throughout Northern Virginia and For Wisecarver, the cribs have helped organizations like to deliver its 500th crib last year. A Woman’s Choice expand its essential services. “This week This expansion brought the 2013 total to 225 cribs. a young woman from the Springfield area who had been Twenty-five additional cribs are in reserve. While several crib very abortion-minded … happened to meet one of our manufacturers have been used, the partnership and support clients who had been a crib recipient,” she said. “Our client from Colgate Mattress Atlantic Corporation has been critical. brought her to our office, assuring her that we would help The delivery operation, organized by d’Alelio, is key to her and her baby. We will never fully comprehend the ripthe project’s success. In 2013, about three dozen Knights and ple effect of this important mission. This project has acted their families drove more than 600 miles to deliver cribs. as a catalyst in restoring the faith of many of the crib re“It’s not just another fundraiser or charity function for the cipients.”♦

M AY 2014

♦ C O L U M B I A ♦ 31

P RO M OT I O NA L & G I F T I T E M S

VALUATION EXHIBIT OF

THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

In compliance with the requirements of the laws of the various states, we publish below a Valuation Exhibit of the Knights of Columbus as of Dec. 31, 2013. The law requires that this publication shall be made of the results of the valuation with explanation as filed with the insurance departments.

ASSETS — Actual and Contingent 1. Admitted Assets of the General Account Fund, item 26, page 2 of Annual Statement: $20,534,433,760

LIABILITIES — Actual and Contingent 2. Old System Reserve — including additional reserve: $ 584,942 3. New System Reserve — including D.I. and Dis. W. (net of reins): $ 11,598,183,161 4. Reserve for accident and health certificates: $ 287,449,752 5. Total per item 1 and 2, page 3 of Annual Statement: $ 11,886,217,855 6. Deduct liens and interest thereon, not included in Admitted Assets, and not in excess of required reserves on the corresponding individual certificates: None 7. Balance — Item 5 less item 6 above: $ 11,886,217,855 8. Liabilities of the General Account Fund, except reserve (items 3 to 22 incl. page 3 of Annual Statement): $ 6,738,382,162 9. Liabilities — Actual and Contingent — sum of items 7 and 8 above: $18,624,600,017 10. Ratio percent of Dec. 31, 2013 — 110.25% Assets — Actual and Dec. 31, 2012 — 110.45% Contingent (Item 1) Dec. 31, 2011 — 110.52% to liabilities — Actual Dec. 31, 2010 — 111.43% and Contingent (Item 9) Dec. 31, 2009 — 111.85%

Looking good while doing good!

EXPLANATION The above valuation indicates that, on a basis of the A.E., A.M. (5), 1941 C.S.O., 1958 C.S.O., 1980 C.S.O., 2001 C.S.O., 1937 S.A., 1971 Individual Annuity Table, Annuity 2000 Table and 1983 “a” Tables of Mortality with interest at 9%, 8.75%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4.5%, 4%, 3.75%, 3.5%, 3%, 2.5%, the future assessments of the society, at the net rate now being collected, together with the now invested assets of the General Account Fund are sufficient to meet all certificates as they mature by their terms, with a margin of safety of $1,909,833,743 (or 10.25%) over the above statutory standards. STATE OF: Connecticut COUNTY OF: New Haven The officers of this reporting entity, being duly sworn, each depose and say that they are the described officers of the said reporting entity, and that on the reporting period stated above, all of the herein described assets were the absolute property of the said reporting entity, free and clear from any liens or claims thereon, except as herein stated, and that this statement, together with related exhibits, schedules and explanations therein contained, annexed or referred to, is a full and true statement of all the assets and liabilities and of the condition and affairs of the said reporting entity as of the reporting period stated above, and of its income and deductions therefrom for the period ended, and have been completed in accordance with the NAIC annual statement instructions and accounting practices and procedure manual except to the extent that: (1) state law may differ; or, (2) that state rules or regulations require differences in reporting not related to accounting practices and procedures, according to the best of their information, knowledge and belief, respectively. Furthermore, the scope of this attestation by the described officers also includes the related corresponding electronic filing with the NAIC, when required, that is an exact copy (except for formatting differences due to electronic filing) of the enclosed statement. The electronic filing may be requested by various regulators in lieu of or in addition to the enclosed statement. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 18th day of February 2014. MARIANNE PUGLIESE Notary Public CARL A. ANDERSON, President CHARLES E. MAURER JR., Secretary MICHAEL J. O’CONNOR, Treasurer

SEAL

OFFICIAL MAY 1, 2014: 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 06507-0901. 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 06507-0901.

COLUMBIA (ISSN 0010-1869/USPS #123-740) IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, 1 COLUMBUS PLAZA, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326. PHONE: 203-752-4000, www.kofc.org. PRODUCED IN USA. COPYRIGHT © 2014 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, PO BOX 1670, NEW HAVEN, CT 06507-0901. 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.

32 ♦ C O L U M B I A ♦

M AY 2014

Also available

A. Double Visor Cap. This cap has a double visor effect with piping. Emblem of the Order on front and “Knights of Columbus” on the back. Velcro closure. One size fits most. — $12 B. Personalized American Flag Sandwich Cap. Cap with repeating American flag motif on the sandwich bill and a flag-woven label on back Velcro closure. Personalized with the emblem of the Order or Fourth Degree emblem with your council or assembly name on the front and your name embroidered on the back. One Size fits most. Available in blue or red. — $18 C. Nike Golf Dri-FIT Mesh Swoosh Flex Sandwich Cap. Moisture-wicking cap with a structured, mid-profile design and Flex sweatband that ensures an exceptional fit. Emblem of the Order embroidered on the front and contrast Nike Swoosh design embroidered on the bill in the same color as the trim. 100% polyester knit mesh. One size fits most. — $25 FREE GROUND SHIPPING IN MAY FOR ORDERS OVER $50 Every day, Knights of Columbus and their families volunteer in their parishes and communities. One of the best ways to show people the Order’s good works — and to interest them in joining — is to wear K of C apparel when volunteering. To help our members look good while doing good, Knights Gear is offering FREE ground shipping when you place an order for $50 or more online between May 1 and May 31. Enter discount code “volunteer” in the shopping cart before checkout and make sure you click the APPLY COUPON button.

knightsgear.com

May 14 COVERS E 4_15 FINAL_Layout 1 4/15/14 4:39 PM Page 33

K N I G H T S O F C O LU M B U S

Building a better world one council at a time

Photo by Jerry Angle

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.

BE FEATURED HERE , SEND YOUR COUNCIL’ S

Sister Ruth Zonunthari and Father Arnold Ortiz, chaplain of Father Damien De Veuster Council 6906 in Aiea, Hawaii, rappel down the side of the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel as part of an “Over the Edge” fundraiser. By partnering with parishioners at St. Elizabeth Church, Council 6906 raised $2,000 for Hawaii Special Olympics to send Sister Zonunthari and Father Ortiz 317 feet down the side of the building. Council members also volunteered to help organize the event, in which 100 people rappelled down the 31-story hotel.

“K NIGHTS IN A CTION ” C OLUMBIA , 1 C OLUMBUS P LAZA , N EW H AVEN , CT 06510-3326

PHOTO AS WELL AS ITS DESCRIPTION TO : OR E - MAIL : COLUMBIA @ KOFC . ORG .

M AY 2014

♦ C O L U M B I A ♦ 33

May 14 COVERS E 4_15 FINAL_Layout 1 4/15/14 4:39 PM Page 34

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

K E E P T H E F A IT H A L I V E

‘THE LORD HAD DRAWN ME BACK INTO THE HEART OF THE CHURCH’

SISTER GRACE MARIE HEINRICH Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary Miami

Photo by Keith Douglas

As I grew up, I had all my plans set — I was going to go to college, get married and settle down. I was well on my way to fulfilling my plans until my junior year of college. Having become distant from my Catholic faith, I decided to study in Rome for a semester for secular rather than spiritual reasons. Yet, as I struggled to get my bearings in a new culture, the Lord began knocking at my heart. For the first time, I had a personal encounter with the eucharistic Jesus. I then came to know Our Lady and was transformed by her authentic femininity and docility before the Lord. Before I knew it, the Lord had drawn me back into the heart of the Church. I was captivated and soon began hearing the call to religious life, although I had no idea what that meant. All I knew is that none of my plans mattered anymore. I pray that my “yes,” my small fiat, may be fruitful in the womb of the Church, and that others might come to know the joy of following Christ with their whole hearts.

May 14 COVERS E 4_15 FINAL_Layout 1 4/15/14 4:39 PM Page 35

K E E P T H E F A IT H A L I V E

‘THE LORD HAD DRAWN ME BACK INTO THE HEART OF THE CHURCH’ As I grew up, I had all my plans set — I was going to go to college, get married and settle down. I was well on my way to fulfilling my plans until my junior year of college. Having become distant from my Catholic faith, I decided to study in Rome for a semester for secular rather than spiritual reasons. Yet, as I struggled to get my bearings in a new culture, the Lord began knocking at my heart. For the first time, I had a personal encounter with the eucharistic Jesus. I then came to know Our Lady and was transformed by her authentic femininity and docility before the Lord. Before I knew it, the Lord had drawn me back into the heart of the Church. I was captivated and soon began hearing the call to religious life, although I had no idea what that meant. All I knew is that none of my plans mattered anymore. I pray that my “yes,” my small fiat, may be fruitful in the womb of the Church, and that others might come to know the joy of following Christ with their whole hearts.

Photo by Keith Douglas

SISTER GRACE MARIE HEINRICH Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary Miami

PLEASE, DO ALL YOU CAN TO ENCOURAGE PRIESTLY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS. YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. PM40063106