杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

In 2020, the Knights of Columbus – the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal organization – are celebrating one hundred years of charitable activity in the city of Rome.

Charitable work in Rome

In his address to the Board of Directors of the organization, 杏MAP导航 Francis recalled that 杏MAP导航 Benedict XV had invited the Knights to provide humanitarian aid to young people and others in Rome “following the terrible conflict of the First World War”. He praised their efforts to establish sports centres for youth “which quickly became places for education, catechesis, and the distribution of food and other essentials so needed at the time”. In this way, he said, the Knights “proved faithful to the vision of [their] founder, Venerable Michael McGivney, who was inspired by the principles of Christian charity and fraternity to assist those most in need”.

Faithful witness to sacredness of human life

Turning to the works of the order today, 杏MAP导航 Francis highlighted the Knights’ “faithful witness to the sacredness and dignity of human life”, and their aid to Christian communities in the Middle East. He thanked them “for seeing in our persecuted and displaced brothers and sisters of that region our neighbours for whom you are a sign of God’s infinite love”.

Devotion to the 杏MAP导航

杏MAP导航 Francis also noted the Knights’ “unswerving devotion to the Successor of Peter”, shown especially in the establishment of the Vicarius Christi Fund (which supports the 杏MAP导航’s personal charities), and in the Knights’ desire “to share in the 杏MAP导航’s solicitude for all the Churches and in his universal mission of charity”. He said, “In our world, marked by divisions and inequalities, the generous commitment of your Order to serve all in need offers, especially to young people, an important inspiration to overcome a globalization of indifference and build together a more just and inclusive society”.

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his address by entrusting all the Knights “to the loving intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary”, and assuring them of his prayers for them and their families, “and for all the good works accomplished by the local Councils worldwide".