杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

The novel coronavirus has turned the world upside down, left unprecedented numbers of people jobless, and brought on the new norm of social-distancing.

At the same time, we are all becoming more aware of a deeply-rooted desire for community and ways to help those in need.

Perhaps that explains why the Knights of Columbus have seen a sort of mini-boom in membership requests.

Over 2,000 men joined the Catholic fraternal organization on 16 April in its first-ever online 鈥淓xemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity鈥�.

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson spoke to Vatican Radio about why Catholic men are interested in joining the Knights of Columbus.

Active in charity

Mr. Anderson identifies two main reasons.

鈥淥ne, they see the need for added charity during the coronavirus pandemic, and so they want to get active.鈥�

The Knights have 10,000 local councils, and 鈥渢hey are active in charity.鈥�

鈥淧lus,鈥� Mr. Anderson adds, 鈥渢hey want the fellowship of Catholic men who will be more than friends but will be fraternal brothers and work together.鈥�

The Knights of Columbus were founded by Venerable Fr Michael J. McGivney in 1882 in the US state of Connecticut. According to their website, the Knights鈥� aim is to 鈥渂ring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled, and needy members and their families.鈥�

Helping those next door

After the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Knights began the 鈥淟eave No Neighbor Behind鈥� initiative during Holy Week. Members are urged to help out local food banks, and to make blood donations.

鈥淲e launched this with a $1.25 million food supplement program,鈥� says Mr. Anderson. 鈥淲e went to food banks in the United States and began buying food through the food banks. Then our local men began to raise money to supplement that. They also volunteer to help the food bank package the food and deliver it.鈥�

Mr. Anderson says the Knights have a particular strength: local councils implement national guidance in the best way to help their communities.

The initiative is working in several inner cities and in a Native American reservation in New Mexico.

International response

The Knights of Columbus are also working on an international level. One recent initiative included a donation to help set up a Covid-19 field hospital in Italy鈥檚 Lombardy region.

The organization also provided funds to create the special coronavirus unit at the Bambino Gesù Hospital, a Vatican children鈥檚 hospital in Rome.

Charity begins at home

As lockdowns abound in the US, the Knights of Columbus鈥� characteristic fellowship could face difficulties.

But Mr. Anderson says many councils have started holding virtual meetings. Knights can also do charitable work together, while following social-distancing guidelines.

The home provides another opportunity to build communion.

鈥淲e鈥檝e been emphasizing, for a number of years, our Domestic Church Program, which looks to build up Catholic families through the Church in the home,鈥� he adds. 鈥淲e have a spirituality program. We promote families praying together, reading Scripture together, and different charitable projects.鈥�

Still connected

Mr. Anderson also says the Knights wholeheartedly took up 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� invitation to pray the Rosary during the month of May.

鈥淪o,鈥� concludes the Supreme Knight, 鈥渁 lot of the councils are coming up with very creative ways to stay connected online.鈥�