Did you know there are 56,000 members
of the Knights of Columbus in
Ontario alone? The fraternal order is prominent in parishes throughout the
Archdiocese of Toronto, serving the needs of our communities through the
principles of “Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism”. Their contributions
were celebrated August 5-7 at a global gathering in Orlando, Florida.
The Knights of Columbus provide the following report.
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| Cardinal Gérald Lacroix - Courtesy Archdiocese of Toronto Blog |
The Knights of Columbus’ 132nd annual
international convention honoured a number of Canadian Knights and councils and
featured a keynote address by Canada’s Cardinal Gérald Lacroix, ISPX,
archbishop of Québec and primate of Canada.
Nearly 90 archbishops and bishops —
including 11 cardinals — along with scores of clergy joined approximately 2,000
Knights and family members. They came from North and Central America, the
Caribbean, Africa, Asia and Europe for the three-day international convention
in Orlando, Florida, guided by the theme of “You Will All Be Brothers: Our
Vocation to Fraternity.”
Cardinal Lacroix gave the keynote address
at the event’s opening dinner. He was joined at the convention by nine other
Canadian archbishops and bishops, including Archbishop Paul-André Durocher of
Gatineau, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Globally, Knights donated more than $184
million and 70.5 million hours of service to charitable causes in 2013. The
Canadian contribution was an all-time high of more than $30 million and
9,323,063 hours of service.
Of the Knights’ 70-plus regions, known as
states, Québec placed first in the world in charitable donations for the fifth
consecutive year, giving $11.4 million and nearly 1.7 million hours of service
to charitable causes in 2013. Ontario came in second with $7.9 million.
When it comes to the amount of time
volunteered per member last year, four Canadian jurisdictions were in the top
10. Prince Edward Island took first place with more than 135 hours per member.
British Columbia was second with nearly 114 hours, while Saskatchewan and Nova
Scotia rounded out the Canadian presence in the top 10.
“The generosity of our members in Canada is
an inspiring example to every member of our organization,” said Supreme Knight
Carl Anderson. “Their contributions help to improve the quality of life of
those most in need. On behalf of our more than 1.8 million members, I
congratulate them for their inspiring work.”
Founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney, who completed some of his priestly studies in Montreal, the Knights of Columbus has grown to more than 1.8 million members. The first Canadian council was established in Montreal in 1897 – just 15 years after the founding.
Founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney, who completed some of his priestly studies in Montreal, the Knights of Columbus has grown to more than 1.8 million members. The first Canadian council was established in Montreal in 1897 – just 15 years after the founding.
“This has been a special year for Canada,”
said Anderson. He reported to the convention that the Knights’ Supreme Council,
the Knights’ Québec State Council and the Canadian Association joined
together to fund a new holy door – used only when the Church proclaims a holy
year -- at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec. The first Vatican-sanctioned
holy door in North America, the massive bronze door bears the emblem of the
Knights of Columbus.
The Knights also joined with the Church in
Québec in celebrating the 350th anniversary of the Church in Québec, the
canonizations of St. François de Laval and St. Marie of the Incarnation, and
the Knights’ supreme directors made a special pilgrimage to pray at the tomb of
St. Brother André in Montreal.
