The Most Vulnerable Among Us | | |
By Fr. Jonathan D. Kalisch, O.P.
Director of Chaplains and Spiritual Development
A hallmark of Pope Francis’ pontificate was his emphasis on the dignity and vocation of the most vulnerable in society, especially the elderly. The pope reminded the Church of the wisdom and gifts our eldest brothers and sisters bring to our communities and invited those advanced in age to imitate Sts. Joachim and Anne in their vocation of praying for and passing on the faith to subsequent generations. The experience of accompanying my elderly parents has enhanced my own awareness of various needs facing these valued members of the Body of Christ.
The observance of the World Day of the Sick and the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes may occasion a good moment to discern how our local councils can better respond to the needs of the elderly in our communities. Most councils could likely organize transportation to Sunday Mass, reconciliation services, council meetings and other Church activities for those who have no way to attend. How many of our elderly brother Knights would be happy to attend an event but need the assistance of others? Another beautiful sacrifice would be for brother Knights — along with their children — to spend time visiting residents in nursing homes and those who feel most abandoned. These actions of solidarity bring the Gospel and mission of Blessed Michael McGivney to the fore.
I invite all chaplains to lead their councils in a special prayer for peace in Ukraine during their February meetings. As the fourth anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine approaches, let us remember the more than 3,000 brother Knights from Ukraine — more than half of whom are actively defending their country. I encourage you to use the new Compassion: Stations of the Cross, written by young adult Ukrainians who assist our brother Knights in distributing humanitarian aid. As we enter into the grace-filled season of Lent, let us keep the most vulnerable in our midst in our thoughts and prayers, and seek how we may best assist them.
Vivat Jesus!
| | February Monthly Challenge | | |
This month, Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori challenges Knights to learn more about the Church's teachings on one or two contemporary issues that they are concerned about, so that they can better defend the truth when an opportunity arises. Look to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and booklets from the Order's Catholic Information Service (kofc.org/cis) as resources.
| | Feb. 8 — Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita | | |
On Feb. 8, the Church honors St. Josephine Bakhita, a religious sister who, as a young girl, was kidnapped from Sudan and enslaved. After gaining her freedom, she spent more than 50 years in humble service to her sisters and the local community until her death in 1947. She is now the patron saint of those impacted by human trafficking, and her feast day coincides with the Church’s International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking.
In his first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi Te (I Have Loved You), Pope Leo XIV noted the Church’s efforts to combat modern forms of slavery, including human trafficking. “When the Church bends down to break the new chains that bind the poor,” he writes, “she becomes a paschal sign” (61).
For many years, the Knights have been involved in this global effort, partnering with religious communities, the Arise Foundation, and other organizations in places like the Philippines, Nigeria and Ukraine, to bring safety, healing and hope to survivors and those at risk.
Read this article from the latest issue of Columbia, which highlights the Order’s efforts against human trafficking around the world. Let us also remember to pray to St. Josephine Bakhita for the victims and for those who work to stop these crimes.
| | Feb. 11 — World Day of the Sick | | |
The Church observes the World Day of the Sick on Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The day serves as a reminder to pray for those who are suffering due to illness, and for their caregivers.
In his message for the 34th World Day of the Sick, Pope Leo XIV invites us to reflect on the parable of the Good Samaritan, which embodies the “gift of encounter.” “Love is not passive; it goes out to meet the other,” said the Holy Father. “Being a neighbor is not determined by physical or social proximity, but by the decision to love. … In this parable, compassion is the defining characteristic of active love; it is neither theoretical nor merely sentimental, but manifests itself through concrete gestures.”
Invite your councils to join you in offering a prayer for the sick, such as one of these Prayers for the Health and Dignity of the Sick, provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. You may also encourage brother Knights to find new ways to support the sick and homebound in your local communities.
Your council may consider supporting the Order’s Global Wheelchair Mission, which provides wheelchairs to people with disabilities worldwide. Since the first donation in 2003, the Order has donated more than 100,000 wheelchairs across the globe. Any council may participate, and more information is available here.
| | |
As we prepare to enter into the season of Lent, the Knights of Columbus offers many resources to help the men of your council and your parish grow in their spiritual lives. Beginning Ash Wednesday, we will release weekly reflection videos with Father Jonathan Kalisch and Renzo Ortega. In each video, they will reflect on the theme of sacrifice — what it means in the lives of Catholic men, husbands, and fathers. They will also include a Scripture passage, discuss the call to sacrifice as a Knight, and share a call to action for the week. Videos will be shared on kofc.org/Lent, YouTube and social media.
The Order’s Catholic Information Service also offers a variety of print resources that you, your council and your parish can benefit from this Lent. Here are a few highlights:
All CIS Lenten resources can be found here.
| | Four Years of War in Ukraine | | |
As Feb. 24 marks four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we pause to remember the suffering endured by the Ukrainian people. From the very beginning of the conflict, the Knights of Columbus has remained a constant presence, offering assistance, hope and solidarity. We focus not only on rebuilding communities damaged by the conflict, but also on healing the deep physical, emotional and spiritual wounds that war leaves behind.
We once again invite all members to join the Order’s Novena for Peace and Healing in Ukraine, from Feb. 15-23. Each day is dedicated to lifting up in prayer those most affected by the war, including widows and orphans, the fallen, the injured, veterans, refugees, prisoners, and young people whose futures have been disrupted. A recorded version of the novena, prayed by individuals personally affected by the war, is also available. In addition, prayer cards for Ukraine have been prepared and may be used during council meetings held throughout February.
This year, a new Way of the Cross has also been created, connecting each of the 14 stations with the sufferings of the Ukrainian people — allowing us to unite our prayers with theirs. Additionally, you can now support priests in Ukraine by requesting Mass intentions, helping to sustain their ministry and the spiritual life in their communities.
To learn more about the Knights’ ongoing efforts in Ukraine and the real impact of our shared commitment, please visit kofc.org/ukraine. Through continued prayer, generosity and action, our solidarity remains a powerful force for good.
| | |
This year marks the 144th anniversary of the Knights of Columbus, celebrated on March 29. Founder’s Day honors the establishment of the Order by Father Michael McGivney in New Haven, Connecticut, and recalls the original purpose that inspired its creation: to strengthen Catholic families and extend help to those in need through charity and unity. This mission was enriched by the principle of fraternity in 1895, followed by patriotism with the founding of the Fourth Degree on Feb. 22, 1900.
The Knights of Columbus was born on Feb. 6, 1882, when the first members chose Christopher Columbus as their patron, setting the foundation for a brotherhood rooted in faith, service and mutual support. Looking back at the Order’s profound growth since those early days, we are reminded of the lasting impact of Father McGivney’s vision. Today, more than 2 million members worldwide continue that legacy, serving the Church, their families and their countries.
| |
New Into the Breach Series Available
| | |
A new five-episode Into the Breach series is now available, along with resources to help bring the series to council and Cor gatherings. Into the Breach: The Dignity of Work explores the relationship between work and holiness, and the value we bring to work as Catholic men. The series can be viewed by individuals or in group settings. Resources include a study guide for small group discussion, a St. Joseph the Worker prayer card and promotional posters. All episodes and resources are available at kofc.org/intothebreach.
| | |
Pope Leo XIV has declared that the period from Jan. 10, 2026, to Jan. 10, 2027, will be celebrated as the Year of St. Francis. During this special year, all Christians are invited to look to St. Francis of Assisi as a model for their own lives and to be messengers of peace in their families, communities and the world. The Apostolic Penitentiary has granted a plenary indulgence to those who take part in this extraordinary jubilee with devotion and sincerity. The indulgence may be obtained under the usual conditions and includes visitation, in the form of a pilgrimage, to any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship dedicated to St. Francis, where one renews one’s profession of faith through the recitation of the Creed.
| | General Audiences on the Second Vatican Council | | |
On Jan. 7, Pope Leo XIV began a new catechesis series during his Wednesday general audience at the Vatican, centered on the Second Vatican Council and its documents. This new series invites Catholics to revisit the documents of Vatican II, reflect on their meaning, and discover how they continue to shape the Church’s mission. “It will be important to get to know it again closely, and to do so not through ‘hearsay’ or interpretations that have been given, but by rereading its documents and reflecting on their content,” the Holy Father said. Feb. 22 is the feast of the Chair of St. Peter. Joining the Holy Father in this catechesis series is a meaningful way to honor this feast and to express unity with the pope and the Church.
| | Thank you for your service to the Order. If you have any questions or suggestions during your term, please email chaplains@kofc.org | | |
To view previous editions of Chaplain's Report, click here.
If you do not receive Chaplain's Report and would like to, please click SUBSCRIBE and complete the form.
| | | | | |
