On the Way to Christ's Victory | |
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By Fr. Jonathan D. Kalisch, O.P.
Director of Chaplains and Spiritual Development
As we begin the privileged time of Lent, there are myriad ways to engage the spiritual formation of our brother Knights and councils. Pope Francis’ Lenten message, on the theme “Let us Journey Together in Hope,” provides a good framework to view our Lenten journey. The Holy Father reminds us that, while we are all slaves to sin, we are also pilgrims on the way to conversion, seeking to experience the freedom of the sons of God. Responding to the call to conversion confronts us with our own reluctance at times, to move out of our comfort zones and “leave behind the occasions of sin and situations that degrade [one’s] dignity.” Pope Francis invites us to compare our daily lives to those of migrants or foreigners through an examination of conscience in order to encounter the living God in our own pilgrim journey.
While our brother Knights are no doubt engaged in the charitable and fundraising efforts so prevalent during Lent, encourage them to participate in parish missions, days of reflection, and the Stations of the Cross. The Supreme Council will soon launch a weekly “K of C Lenten Mission” video series for each member to watch. More information on the weekly discussion videos can be found below and at kofc.org/lent,. In addition, the feast of St. Joseph on Wednesday, March 19, provides another moment to reflect on the model and patronage of St. Joseph. Finally, invite your council to participate in any local events for the 24 Hours with the Lord, the Vatican’s annual Lenten initiative of prayer and reconciliation.
May this time of grace in our Church be a time of renewal and joy for each of you as we lead our brother Knights and their families closer to the Lord. Vivat Jesus!
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This month, Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori challenges Knights to prayerfully identify at least one area of their life where they could bear better fruit — and then, guided by the Holy Spirit, to undertake at least one concrete resolution to improve.
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A new resource for Cor, focused on the life of Blessed Michael McGivney, will be released on Founder’s Day, March 29. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for a link to the new session guide, which aims to help Knights reflect on Father McGivney’s life and legacy and grow in their devotion to him.
In the meantime, this month’s issue of Columbia features an article about a new house of priestly formation in Baltimore, in the same location where Father McGivney completed his own priestly studies over 150 years ago. The Blessed Michael McGivney Propaedeutic House of Formation, which serves first-year seminarians in a new propaedeutic, or preparatory, stage of formation required in all Catholic seminaries, is serving seven seminarians in its first year, hailing from the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the dioceses of Buffalo, Erie, Scranton and Wilmington. The house was formally dedicated Jan. 23 by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori, with Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly in attendance.
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As we enter the holy season of Lent, be sure that you and your council have all the resources you need to have a fruitful time focused on our Lord. This year, we invite you to join us on a Lenten mission led by Dominican Father Jonathan Kalisch, director of chaplains and spiritual development. Beginning Ash Wednesday, weekly discussion videos will be released and made available on official K of C social media channels and kofc.org/lent. In addition to the videos, you’ll find a series of Lenten resources to help you and your council members enter more deeply into this holy season.
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March 19 — Solemnity of St. Joseph | |
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As you prepare for the feast of St. Joseph this month, the Order offers various resources to grow in devotion to this great saint, who is a model for all men.
Additional St. Joseph resources are available at kofc.org/stjoseph.
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Bound in Brotherhood and Charity | |
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Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Knights of Columbus remains unwavering in its solidarity with Ukrainian brother Knights and their families. Through the immediate establishment of the Ukraine Solidarity Fund to the ongoing humanitarian efforts of Knights in Poland, Ukraine around the world, the Order continues to embody its principles of charity, unity and fraternity. Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori affirmed this bond during his 2024 visit: “One of the great things about being a Knight is that you know a Knight on the other side of the world is supporting you.”
To see the full impact of this solidarity, read our Impact Report, detailing the extensive humanitarian assistance provided by the Knights. Additionally, watch our Year in Review video for a closer look at the life-changing support delivered throughout 2024, and read the March 2025 Columbia article covering our efforts in Ukraine over the past three years. Learn more by visiting kofc.org/ukraine.
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March 24 — A Family of Martyrs | |
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Józef and Wiktoria Ulma and their children welcomed Jews into their home in Poland during World War II, and it was as a family that they were killed March 24, 1944, alongside the Jews they were hiding. The Nazis executed the family of nine in their home in Markowa, Poland, as punishment for their act of mercy. Their sacrifice became a powerful symbol of faith, courage and solidarity, and on Sept. 10, 2023, the entire Ulma family, including an unborn child carried by Wiktoria, was beatified — the first time in Church history an entire family received this honor together. Watch the story of these Good Samaritans from Markowa here and read more about their story here. Last year, the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C., welcomed relics of the Ulma family for a special exhibit featuring the extraordinary lives of these Polish heroes. Read more about the impact of this unique exhibit here.
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In this Jubilee Year, the 12th edition of 24 Hours for the Lord, a Lenten initiative of prayer and reconciliation introduced by Pope Francis, will be celebrated in dioceses around the world. As with previous editions, the event will take place on the eve of the Fourth Sunday of Lent, from Friday, March 28, to Saturday, March 29. For this edition, which takes place in the Jubilee 2025 particularly dedicated to hope, the motto chosen by the Holy Father is taken from the words of the Psalmist, “You are my hope” (Ps. 71:5). The pastoral handbook published for the occasion can be downloaded here.
We encourage you to organize a special time of prayer and confession in your parishes during this time. You can find the CIS guide to confession here.
Save the date:
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Thank you for your service to the Order. If you have any questions or suggestions during your term, please email chaplains@kofc.org | |
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