Knights now have exclusive access to a new video series to help them grow in the faith and stay informed about the work of their brothers throughout the world.
Dubbed KnightCast, the series debuted Feb. 25 with an episode about the historic tenure of Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, which would conclude Feb. 28. Supreme Knight Anderson shared personal stories and reflections about his 20 years in office, and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori and Supreme Knight-elect Patrick Kelly also shared their thoughts on Anderson’s tenure and the future of the Order.
Anderson discussed a wide array of experiences, including working with three popes and leading the Order’s response to crises from 9/11 to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also spoke about the personal moments that struck a deep chord in his heart.
“Putting a little girl in a wheelchair … and she looks up at you, and she says ‘You're my angel.’ You always remember that,” Anderson said. “When you see an orphan in Haiti take her first steps on artificial legs after having them amputated from the terrible earthquake there. Those are the kinds of things that you remember — and also what makes you get up every morning and work even that much harder.”
A key part of the webcast focused on Father McGivney’s influence on members today. Supreme Knight Anderson emphasized that the Order’s founder empowered laymen to act with creativity.
“He saw that there was a creative genius of the people in their local community about how to solve their own problems,” Anderson said. “We see this time and time and time again, for some of the best K of C programs originated at the local level.”
He also emphasized the providential timing of Father McGivney’s beatification, which he called “the crowning event” of his service as supreme knight.
“Why now?” Anderson wondered aloud. “Why is it that a priest who suffered and died during the pandemic of his lifetime [in 1890] is now raised up as an intercessor for people suffering during another global pandemic? Why in this moment of the history of the Knights of Columbus?”
He added, “We have to put that in our heart, meditate on it, reflect on what this means, each for us individually, but also for the Order.”
Supreme Knight Anderson reflected on Our Lady of Guadalupe, to whom he consecrated the Order when he was installed as supreme knight in February 2001. Our Lady’s message of reconciliation, unity, charity and hope, he explained, fit naturally with the mission and principles of the Knights of Columbus.
“Historically, one of the very important works of the Knights of Columbus has been to help integrate Catholics into American society,” Anderson said. “So, putting the Order under her protection was a very important signal for her message, as a message to immigrants coming into the culture, as a message to the Church in North America.”
Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori and Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly, who took office March 1, shared highlights from working with Anderson and offered a glimpse of the future for our Order.
“Working with him these past 15 years in his capacity as supreme knight,” Archbishop Lori said, “I’ve really seen the epitome of what it means to fulfill one’s vocation as a lay Catholic — as someone who not only knows the faith, but loves the faith, deeply understands the faith, has drawn wisdom from the faith. And that wisdom, in turn, has guided his leadership and decisions.”
Supreme Knight Kelly likewise said it was a gift to work with Anderson, praising his ability to manage the complexities of a large organization and his commitment to the founding vision of Father McGivney.
“He is a true Christian visionary in the sense that he sees around the corners, and he really thinks strategically,” Supreme Knight Kelly said. “In every decision he makes, he thinks, ‘Does this decision push the Knights forward with this vision of strengthening the Catholic man and his family and strengthening the Church?’”
Supreme Knight Kelly emphasized that the key to the future of the Knights of Columbus are men of faith and virtue focused on the family and defending the Church.
“I think it’s important for our future growth to emphasize to men that membership in the Knights is not primarily about doing something, although doing can be important,” he said. “It’s primarily about being someone — being a man of charity, unity and fraternity. It’s ultimately about being a man of virtue and taking care of your wife and your children, and loving Jesus Christ and defending the Church. That’s key to the future, and I think the Knights give us an opportunity to live that out.”
KnightCast is hosted by Jonathan Reyes, senior vice president for communications and strategic partnerships. The next episode will feature Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund; Supreme Director Anthony Minopoli, chief investment officer and president of Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors; and Daniel Schachle, the father of the child miraculously healed through the intercession of Father McGivney. It will also take a deeper look at the life and example of the foster father of Jesus during this Year of St. Joseph.
Sign up to watch the series any time on demand at kofc.org/knightcast.