|
The Knights of Columbus will commemorate its 125th anniversary by returning to its birthplace: St. Mary’s Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven, Conn.
The 1.7 million-member fraternal benefit society was founded in 1882 in the basement of St. Mary’s Church by its curate at the time, Father Michael J. McGivney, with a small band of Catholic men from the New Haven. The K of C, which has grown to the world’s largest lay Catholic organization with members on four continents, will return to the church March 29, the 125th anniversary of its charter, to participate in a Mass with priests from throughout Connecticut.
Archbishop Henry J. Mansell of Hartford will preside at the 5 p.m. service and will be joined by Bridgeport Bishop William E. Lori, the organization’s supreme chaplain. Also invited are Archbishop Pietro Sambi and Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Vatican’s ambassadors to the United States and the United Nations, respectively. Approximately 100 Connecticut priests are expected to concelebrate. The Mass is open to the public.
Following the Mass the Knights will host the parish priests of Connecticut for a gala anniversary dinner at the New Haven Omni Hotel.
“In honor of our founder, and Connecticut’s most famous parish priest Father McGivney, we want to both thank and applaud our parish priests,” said Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson.
“Their day-to-day efforts and sacrifices often go unnoticed, or at least unacknowledged by many. On this important occasion, the Knights of Columbus will express both appreciation for and solidarity with our priests.”
| 
