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60TH CHARTER ANNIVERSARY of PORTA VAGA COUNCIL #4072 District I-31 Cavite City
“Mother Council of the Province of Cavite”
Senior na si Ina
"In fidelity to the vision of Father McGivney, may you continue to seek new ways of being a leaven of the Gospel in the world and a spiritual force for the renewal of the Church in holiness, unity and truth." - Pope John Paul II
FR. MICHAEL MCGIVNEY Through the Knights of Columbus, Father McGivney gave Catholic laymen a new opportunity the chance to grow in holiness while contributing to their parishes, communities and security of their families. Today, more and more Church leaders are recognizing his spiritual genius in animating the laity. The Knights of Columbus has grown to more than 14,000 local units in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan. Over the past decade, Knights have raised and donated nearly $1.4 billion to charity and given nearly 653 million hours in humanitarian service. Knights have donated countless hours of service and over $508 million to programs and charities advancing the cause of intellectually and physically disabled individuals, including $61 million to Special Olympics, which the Knights have partnered with since the games began in 1968. In 2003, the Order began a collaboration with the Global Wheelchair Mission, which provides durable, low-cost wheelchairs to those in need. To date, Knights in the United States and Canada have sponsored the distribution of some 20,000 wheelchairs in nearly 20 countries. The nature of most service by Knights is determined locally. Knights in Illinois, for example, have devised a sophisticated system for providing interest-free financing for group homes for people with developmental disabilities; councils in the Philippines regularly conduct free medical and
FATHER MICHAEL J. MCGIVNEY GUILD Please report all favors received
His Legacy: The Knights of Columbus
dental clinics for the poor. As part of its holistic and continuing efforts to help rehabilitate super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) victims, the Knights of Columbus turned over 18 out of 25 motorized bancas to fishermen-beneficiaries on Sept. 6 in Sitio Lamintao Talisay, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo. Powered by a 7.5 horsepower, the bancas display green and orange motif symbolizing growth and harmony with nature and emotional strength in difficult times, bouncing back from despair and assisting in recovery from grief. To date, with the financial assistance from the Knights of Columbus Supreme Office, a total of 127 bancas were distributed across different Visayas regions affected by “Yolanda.” The Knights of Columbus also donated financial assistance amounting to P530,000 to various churches damaged by the typhoon and by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol. Wherever they exist, Knights continue the tradition of support for bishops and parish priests exemplified by Father McGivney. Each year tens of thousands of Catholics attend the Marian Hour of Prayer programs, rosary prayer services, and Knight-sponsored, pro-life Masses. Father McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society offering low-cost life insurance to immigrant families facing destitution if a breadwinner died. Today the Knights of Columbus has more than $85 billion of life insurance in force. Its insurance program has received the highest possible ratings from both the A. M. Best Co. and Standard & Poor's.
The Father Michael J. McGivney Guild serves as a source for information about the life, works and spirituality of Father McGivney. The Guild distributes informational materials about him, receives reports of favors granted through his intercession and oversees the distribution of relics. Guild members receive regular updates on the progress of Father McGivney's cause for canonization and are invited to participate in promoting devotion to this Servant of God. Members of the Knights of Columbus are not automatically Guild members and must elect to join the Guild. The Father Michael J. McGivney Guild Newsletter is published bimonthly except July- August, and is sent free to Guild members. Register to Join the Guild http://www.fathermcgivney.org/mcg/en/contact/register.html Father McGivney Office-Philippines Knights of Columbus Fr. George J. Willmann SJ Center General Luna cor. Sta. Potenciana Sts., Intramuros, Manila www.fathermcgivney.ph favors@fathermcgivney.ph facebook.com/fathermcgivney.ph
A Model for Our Times
FATHER MICHAEL MCGIVNEY PRAYER FOR CANONIZATION
Servant of Charity Joyful Celebrant Confessor of Souls Apostle to the Young Protector of Christian Family Life Man of Pastoral Action
God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, to be an apostle of Christian family life and to lead the young to the generous service of their neighbor. Through the example of his life and virtue may we follow your Son, Jesus Christ, more closely, fulfilling his commandment of charity and building up his Body which is the Church. Let the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in your love so that we may continue his work of caring for the needy and the outcast. We humbly ask that you glorify your venerable servant Father Michael J. McGivney on earth according to the design of your holy will. Through his intercession, grant the favor I now present (here make your request). Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
BRO. KNIGHTS, LET US JOIN THE CAUSE! The battle of “The Gentle Warrior” continues and the Cause for beatification moves forward Emulating the virtues that bespeak of sanctity of a person, like Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ, is what we need today to draw us into a deeper living out of the fullest The noble Cause for the Beatification of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ is currently being advanced by the Order of the Knights of Columbus. At present, Brother Knights are challenged to unearth additional materials and gather testimonies that will help support the Cause of Fr. Willmann. With more than four decades of service and compassion for the Filipino people, Fr. Willmann unselfishly devoted his life in the country such that the Brother Knights now wishes to perpetuate his model life and virtues for all Filipino men to emulate. Although some concrete moves had started to fall into place, the Jesuit Father Provincial in 2001 cited that it was premature for the Jesuits to promote Fr. Willmann's Cause due to need to ascertain the existence of a true and widespread “fama sanctitatis” (reputation of sanctity). This worthy initiative slowed down and only few major activities were geared to pursue the Cause from 2002 up to 2011. Presently, our collective actions are needed and the fight for a Cause of “The Gentle Warrior” still continues.
meaning of our Catholic Faith in the context of increasing secularism. This, we believe, is one of the most important objectives in initiating the Cause of the good Fr. George.
Prayer for the cause
father George J. Willmann, SJ Blessed are You, Almighty Father, source of all goodness and wisdom. Look kindly upon us Your children, who are trying to serve You with all our heart. Deign to raise Fr. George J. Willmann to the honors of the altar. -*-
He was the prayerful, strong, dauntless model that all of our Filipino men need in this new era; a man leading other men in the care and formation of the youth; the relief of victims of war and violence; the alleviation of the suffering of the poor; the preservation of the sanctity of life, marriage and the family. -*-
Make him the lamp on the lampstand giving light to all in the house. Make him the city set on the mountain, which cannot be hidden, so that all of us may learn from his courage, his integrity and his indomitable spirit in the struggle to lead men to God, and to bring God to men. -*-
Through his intercession, bestow on us the favor we ask You in faith and according to Your will (pause here and silently entrust to the Lord your petitions). -*-
Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be. Imprimatur: Most Rev. Honesto F. Ongtioco, DD Bishop of Cubao K of C Luzon State Chaplain
Fr. George J. Willmann, S.J. considered the Knights of Columbus as a university where men's character could be molded for the greater honor and glory of God.
A BEACON OF LOVE THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SONG TO FR. GEORGE J. WILLMANN, SJ A man like you will give the young a chance to play; a chance to breathe new hope, a chance to find God’s way.
Composed by: Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo Sung by: CYO Unit 26 Choir
A man like you will give fam’lies a role to play forming a new generation leading to a brighter day.
Refrain: You’re simple and true, heroic in love, compassionate father, humble and brave, a man for the poor, a man for the other, a gentle warrior, and a knight of Christ.
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Refrain: You’re simple and true, heroic in love, compassionate father, humble and brave, a man for the poor, a man for the other, a gentle warrior, and a knight of Christ.
Bridge: Pray that we may be God’s hands to the world. Pray that we may give God’s love to all. (Refrain)
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A man like you will give the world a chance for change. Mercy and peace are paths. Progress, a gift that is shared. A man like you will give our nights a star to gaze. You’re a beacon of love, Father George Willmann.
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Coda: A man like you will give our nights a star to gaze, You’re a beacon of love, Father George Willmann. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx1tmw2kwzu
“Remember that the SQUIRES of today are the KNIGHTS of tomorrow.” - Fr. George J. Willmann, S.J.
THE BIRTH OF KCFAPI The authorization to extend the Order to the Philippine which was approved y the Supreme Board of Directors on January 9, 1905, precluded the Knights of Columbus insurance program. It was explicit in the provision that an association, that is noninsurance, Council would be established in Manila. The great distance between New Haven and Manila and their different currencies, it was believed, could trigger real insurance hazards. The suppression of the insurance status from the local Order did not hurt its prewar membership, which comprised well-healed Catholic gentlemen from the social and economic aristocracy. For these so-called Caballeros de Colon, the urgency of the protective coverage of the KC insurance system did not exist. At the peak of the postwar KC recruitment campaign, however, the composition of the local membership was changed drastically. Through the influence of Father Willmann, many Catholic men from the lower income groups of society were encouraged to join the postwar membership of the local Order. The need for a protection plan which only an insurance program could guarantee, was deemed imperative for the new recruits, as it was for the New Haven
Knights of Columbus organized by Father McGivney. Unfortunately, an attempt by the Supreme Council to extend insurance benefits to the local membership encountered, and was foiled by, unfavorable “Philippine government policy.” On August 1, 1958, the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines was incorporated and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Although merely a business affiliate and not a part of KC-Philippines, the insurance association was granted permission to use the name “Knights of Columbus” by the Supreme Council, “since the entity would provide fraternal insurance to the members in a country where it had a problem introducing their insurance system.” September 9, 1958, KCFAPI, having obtained the necessary license from the office of the Insurance Commissioner, became operative. Its initial capital of P32,000 represented the total contributions of 64 founder members, at P500 per contributor. In its basic aspects, KCFAPI was created to conform with other insurance companies. It was founded upon scientific and actuarial principles, and governed by the licensing and supervisory rules of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. On the basis of its objectives, however, KCFAPI was recognized as a Mutual Benefit Association.