Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly Awarded the John Cardinal O’Connor Award from the Sisters of Life

June 10, 2026

Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly accepts the John Cardinal O’Connor Award on behalf of the Knights of Columbus from Mother Mary Concepta, superior general of the Sisters of Life. — Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly accepts the John Cardinal O'Connor Award from Mother Mary Concepta, superior general of the Sisters of Life, at the Sisters of Life gala honoring the late Cardinal John O'Connor in Rye, New York, June 5, 2026. The award honored Supreme Knight Kelly's commitment to building a culture of life. (Photo by Tamino Petelinšek)

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly received the John Cardinal O’Connor Award on Friday, June 5, from the Sisters of Life at the annual Friends of the Sisters of Life Gala in Rye, NY. The John Cardinal O’Connor Award is an honor presented by the Sisters of Life to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to building up a Culture of Life.

The award recognizes champions of the pro-life movement, authors, and leaders who embody the vision of the community’s founder. While serving as the Archbishop of New York, His Eminence Cardinal John J. O’Connor founded the Sisters of Life in 1991 to protect and enhance the sacredness of every human life. The award was presented to Supreme Knight Kelly by Mother Mary Concepta, S.V., the Superior General of the Sisters of Life.

“It is a great honor this evening to receive this award on behalf of the Knights of Columbus. It is doubly meaningful because of who it comes from, and in whose memory it’s named,” Supreme Knight Kelly said. “His Eminence John Cardinal O’Connor was a towering pillar of the pro-life movement. With an unshakable resolve, he dedicated so much of his ministry as bishop to proclaiming the sanctity of every human life, made in the image and likeness of God. From the pulpit of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and from the platform that is the Archdiocese of New York, he truly was a great prophet of the culture of life.”

The supreme knight noted the longstanding partnership between the Order and the Sisters of Life, highlighting Villa Maria Guadalupe, a retreat center in Stamford, Connecticut, established by the Knights of Columbus and entrusted to the Sisters in 2004 in fulfilment of Cardinal O’Connor’s vision of a place dedicated to prayer, healing and renewal. He also pointed to Life Fest, the annual youth rally cosponsored by the Order and the Sisters of Life, which for the past several years has brought together thousands of young people for prayer, worship and pro-life witness before the March for Life in Washington, D.C.

“The Knights of Columbus works with all sorts of organizations. But there is no partnership that we cherish more than our close friendship with the Sisters of Life,” Supreme Knight Kelly said.

“Speaking for the Knights, we will keep doing everything we can to support the Sisters of Life, and to protect vulnerable mothers and their children. As we prepare for the work ahead, we take comfort in the knowledge that Jesus Christ will continue to guide us.”

Past recipients of the John Cardinal O’Connor Award include former Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson; Jeanne Mancini, former president of the March for Life; and Dr. Michael Brescia, a medical pioneer at New York’s Calvary Hospital who revolutionized end-of-life care and treated every patient with profound compassion.

About the Knights of Columbus

In 1882, Blessed Michael McGivney, a young parish priest in New Haven, Connecticut, founded the Knights of Columbus to serve the needs of a largely immigrant Catholic community. What began as a small fraternal benefit society has since grown into the world’s premier lay Catholic men’s organization, with more than 2.2 million members in over 16,800 local councils. As members of one of the world’s leading charitable organizations, Knights donated more than 48 million service hours and over $197 million for worthy causes in their communities in 2024. The Knights of Columbus also offers a range of life insurance products to members and their families. The Knights of Columbus has more than $124 billion* of life insurance in force. In addition, the organization offers investment services in accord with Catholic social teaching through its wholly owned subsidiary, Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, which holds more than $30 billion** in assets under management. Guided by the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism, the Knights of Columbus is committed to strengthening Catholic families and parishes, by enabling men to grow in their faith and put that faith into action through service to all in need. To learn more or to join the Knights of Columbus, please visit kofc.org/join.

Investments are offered through Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors (“KOCAA”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Knights of Columbus. KOCAA is an SEC registered investment adviser. For more information, consult KOCAA’s Form ADV disclosure documents at adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Life insurance, annuities, long term care insurance and disability income insurance is offered through Knights of Columbus, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510.

*As of March 31, 2026

**As of April 30, 2026