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| Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, center, with Deputy Supreme Knight Dennis Savoie and Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. |
I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to the Supreme Council and members of the Knights of Columbus as you gather in Nashville, Tennessee, for this year’s momentous 125th anniversary Supreme Convention.
Since your foundation by Father McGivney and a few dedicated laymen in a Connecticut church basement in 1882, the Knights have become the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization with over 1.7 million members around the world, including over 200,000 in Canada.
Cette activité annuelle offre à des milliers de Chevaliers de Colomb et à leur famille une excellente occasion de se rassembler et de célébrer leurs nombreuses réalisations de l’année, dans le merveilleux esprit d’amitié qui sous-tend l’organisation depuis ses débuts.
Your firm commitment to the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism has positively influenced the lives of countless people across the globe. The strength of your values and your dedication to pursuing the common good have made the Knights of Columbus one of the most vibrant faith-based organizations in the world. I commend each and every member of the over 13,000 councils that comprise your organization for their excellent work in the areas of education, social assistance and spiritual support. The Knights live out the truth, which His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has reminded us of, that Deus Caritas Est – God is love.
On behalf of my colleagues in the Government of Canada, please accept my best wishes for the Supreme Convention and may the next year bring great success to your organization and its members.
I look forward to welcoming you to Québec City for next year’s convention, which will coincide with the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec and the celebration of the 48th International Eucharistic Congress.
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