杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

As the Knights of Columbus met in Quebec City, Canada, on August 6-8, 杏MAP导航 Francis sent his prayers and support for their mission.

The was sent to Patrick Kelly, the Supreme Knight, and was signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.

The 杏MAP导航 reflected on the theme of the 142nd Supreme Convention, 鈥淥n Mission鈥�, and highlighted that every Christian is a missionary in the measure we have encountered the love of God in Christ.

鈥淭he foundation of the Knights of Columbus, guided by the prophetic vision of Blessed Michael McGivney,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渨as inspired by the urgent need to bear witness to that love, above all in service to the poor and in apostolic zeal for the building up of the Church in unity, fraternity and fidelity to the saving truth of the Gospel.鈥�

Forming men of faith and family

He praised the Knights鈥� efforts to form men of 鈥渇aith and family,鈥� saying their commitment to the family as the fundamental cell of society has helped many people grow in maturity.

The 杏MAP导航 expressed special appreciation for the Knights鈥� 鈥淐or鈥� initiative, which seeks to form Catholic men "to live their faith and serve their family, parish, community, and country鈥� by focusing on 鈥減rayer, formation, and fraternity.鈥�

鈥淎ll missionary outreach has its heart and beating pulse in the presence of our Lord in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, offered for the peace and salvation of all the world,鈥� he said.

The Knights of Columbus helped promote the Eucharistic Pilgrimage that converged on the city of Indianapolis in July 2024, and the 杏MAP导航 said the initiative bore 鈥渋mpressive witness鈥� to the Church鈥檚 faith in Christ鈥檚 redemptive sacrifice on the cross.

He recalled the wars and social unrest rocking many parts of the world, and called for prayers for justice, peace, and reconciliation.

May the Knights and their families, he said, 鈥減ersevere in offering their prayers and Masses for the triumph of Christ鈥檚 peace in the hearts of all people and the building of the civilization of love.鈥�

Supporting Church鈥檚 mission and suffering Christians

杏MAP导航 Francis also recalled the Knights鈥� charitable activities and efforts to support marriage, the dignity of every human life, and the Church鈥檚 mission in developing nations.

He mentioned their charitable outreach in Ukraine and the Christian communities of the Middle East, as well as their care for Christians enduring persecution for their faith in Christ.

Turning to the upcoming 2025 Jubilee, the 杏MAP导航 thanked the Knights for sponsoring the ongoing renovation of the baldachin in St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica.

He expressed his hopes that as pilgrims 鈥渃ontemplate the great Bernini baldacchino that soars above the Tomb of Saint Peter, even now being restored to its original splendor through the generosity of the Knights of Columbus, they will be strengthened in faith and in unity with the Successor of Peter.鈥�

In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis entrusted the Knights of Columbus to the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and invited them to fulfill their bapstimal mission 鈥渢o be a leaven of peace and holiness in our human family.鈥�