July 2025 | VOLUME 18, NUMBER 7 | KOFC.ORG/CHAPLAINS

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori addresses Knights of Columbus State Chaplains Meeting

Last month, more than 40 state chaplains and associate state chaplains gathered in New Haven, Connecticut, for a meeting that included time for prayer, pilgrimage and fraternity. “Even though we don’t see one another too often, we share a bond of fraternity that would please Blessed Michael McGivney greatly,” said Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori in his June 5 remarks. “He greatly valued his friendships in the priesthood, as should we. Above all, I want to thank you for your leadership and service in all the state councils represented here. You provide indispensable spiritual support for your state deputies but also for the whole state council and your brother chaplains.”

Read the full remarks here.

This month, Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori challenges Knights to serve as a good Samaritan to others with whom they might not normally associate — whether it be people who are homeless, the poor, the homebound or others.

Blessed Michael McGivney's Corner

Blessed Michael McGivney’s feast day is Aug. 13. Although the liturgical observance is officially marked only in the Archdiocese of Hartford, Knights of Columbus chaplains and other priests are invited to offer votive Masses for local gatherings of Knights on that day, provided they have their bishop’s approval. Materials to support parishes and councils in honoring Father McGivney’s feast day, including updated Mass propers and themes for preaching, are available here. Councils are also encouraged to organize a novena to Blessed Michael McGivney from Aug. 4-12. 

A Celebration of Catholic Patriotism

In his column for the April 2025 issue of Columbia, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly explains how Catholics — and particularly Knights — have a responsibility to foster a love for their country out of gratitude to God. “Nations, just like people, are so much more than the sum of their mistakes,” he writes. “We have inherited something precious, which we must treasure. And we must teach future generations to do the same.” St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City was the setting for a historic celebration marking the 125th anniversary of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus on Feb. 22. The event featured the inaugural presentation of a revised Exemplification of Patriotism, during which more than 650 candidates pledged fidelity to God and love for country before being dubbed Sir Knights. Read more about the anniversary celebration in this article from the April 2025 issue of Columbia, and watch a recap of the event here.

Ukrainian Hero Finds Hope

Viktor Openko lost his leg while helping evacuate civilians during a deadly shelling attack in northeastern Ukraine last year. Thanks to a new partnership between the Knights of Columbus and the Protez Foundation, a Ukrainian-American nonprofit organization based in Oakdale, Minnesota, Openko received a custom prosthetic leg 10 months later, becoming the first Ukrainian to receive a prosthesis through the new partnership. Watch this video and read the article from the July/August 2025 issue of Columbia to learn more about Openko’s story.

Józef and Wiktoria Ulma and their seven children were executed by German police during World War II for sheltering Jewish neighbors. Beatified as a family in 2023, the Ulmas’ legacy of mercy lives on. Inspired by the Ulma family, Kelly Lindquist-Ray found comfort and courage after her late husband, Ian Lindquist, was diagnosed with cancer in 2021, while Kelly was pregnant with their seventh child. She believes that the Ulma family’s intercession gave Ian the grace to live long enough to be with their seventh child for almost a year. Learn more about how the Ulma family’s witness and intercession brought comfort to Ian, Kelly and their children. 

Born around 1656 in a Mohawk village, St. Kateri Tekakwitha endured great loss early in life, surviving a smallpox epidemic that claimed her parents and brother. At 19, despite family pressure to marry, she chose a different path — she embraced the Catholic faith, took the name Kateri, and dedicated her life totally to Christ. She died in 1680 in the area that is now Québec. Revered as the “Lily of the Mohawks,” Kateri was beatified by St. John Paul II in 1980 and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. She became the first Native American woman to be declared a saint by the Catholic Church. Learn more about the history of St. Kateri and other Native American Catholics in this K of C-produced film. 

You’re invited to attend the 143rd Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus in Washington, D.C., from Aug. 5-7. Whether you can attend the entire event or just for a day, your presence is most welcome at this annual fraternal gathering. A particular highlight is the opening Mass, which will take place the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 5, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. To attend, please register online and find more information here. If you plan to concelebrate during a liturgy, kindly submit a Letter of Good Standing to chaplains@kofc.org. 

The next major Jubilee 2025 event will be the Jubilee of Youth, celebrated July 28 to Aug. 3 in Rome. With the support of the Knights of Columbus, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is organizing a special event on July 30 during the Jubilee of Youth, inviting participants to gather at the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls for an evening centered on pilgrimage, catechesis and Eucharistic adoration. The event will be led by Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester and Bishop Edward Burns of Dallas. RSVP to save a spot for your group here. 

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