Osservatore Romano

Faith that Works through Charity

By Charles de Pechpeyrou

Works of charity around the world, defense of life at every stage of its development, support of the dignity of marriage and promotion of the Church's mission in the poorest countries: these are many expressions of the “concrete witness of faith” that characterize the work of the Order of the Knights of Columbus, to which Pope Francis expressed his “profound gratitude” in a letter — signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state — addressed to Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly. The English-language document was sent on the occasion of the 142nd Convention of the Knights of Columbus, meeting in Quebec City, Canada, Aug. 6-8. The Pope, the letter says, “is equally grateful for the Knights' efforts in caring for the needs of our brothers and sisters in war-torn Ukraine, Christian communities in the Middle East and all those suffering persecution for their faith in Christ; these are causes particularly close to his heart as Pastor of the universal Church.”

Over the generations, Cardinal Parolin further recalls, the Knights “have worked for the strengthening of family life through programs of catechesis and spiritual growth, witnessed to the centrality of the family as the fundamental cell of society, and supported various initiatives to help families in their indispensable social and educational mission.” This historic commitment, the cardinal stressed, has entailed “a particular concern for the transmission of the faith to the new generations, instilling healthy values and accompanying young people in their growth toward full development as men and women of integrity, wisdom and service to the communities where they live.”

“In these times marked by new wars, conflicts and social unrest,” the message further reads, “the Holy Father has tirelessly invited all Christians to pray for justice, peace and reconciliation in our human family. Therefore, Pope Francis asks the Knights and their families to persevere in offering their prayers and masses for the triumph of Christ's peace in the hearts of all people and for the building of the civilization of love.”

During the convention — on the theme “In Mission” — the Annual Report of the Catholic organization, founded in the United States in 1882 by Blessed Michael McGivney, was presented. In the past year, it said, the Knights spent more than 47 million hours in the service of others and set a new record for donations, with more than $190 million dedicated to helping those in need. Among the various works of solidarity implemented by the Knights in the United States is the distribution of some two hundred thousand coats for the poorest kids through Operation Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids. In addition, the report indicates, through the Global Wheelchair Mission, the Order of the Knights of Columbus has continued to help those who cannot walk with the distribution of more than eleven thousand wheelchairs. Service to people with physical and intellectual disabilities also continues through collaboration with Special Olympics: with the help of the Knights (four million dollars) nearly four thousand competitions have been organized. Particular attention has also been paid in assisting young people in the United States and Canada belonging to native peoples on a material level, for example by distributing winter jackets, and on a spiritual level by organizing numerous pilgrimages.

In the rest of the world, humanitarian aid has focused especially on Ukraine: Knights of Columbus programs have provided material and spiritual aid to more than 1.6 million refugees, totaling more than $17 million. Other countries such as Nigeria, Benin or the Philippines are also the focus of the Catholic organization's concerns. Finally — as pointed out by Cardinal Parolin in his letter addressed to Patrick Kelly — the Knights of Columbus funded the ongoing restoration of the canopy of St. Peter's Basilica for the 2025 Jubilee.