IWKnights Corner for August 20, 2023

Did you know this about the IW Knights of Columbus? 

The Knights of Columbus 141^st Supreme Convention took place during the first week of August.  Over the next several weeks we will publish some of the annual Convention Resolutions.

“WHEREAS, Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger began a life of profound service on April 16, 1927, during which he served as a priest of Jesus Christ, as a clarion voice in the teaching office of bishop, and as a collaborator in the papacies of St. Paul VI, Blessed John Paul I, and most especially, with St. John Paul II, for whom he led the Church’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; and

WHEREAS, in the conclave of April 2005, he was elected the 265^th Bishop of Rome, taking the name Benedict XVI in honor of the witness of Pope Benedict XV and the enduring example of St. Benedict of Nursia; and

WHEREAS, through his encyclicals, books, and other writing, Pope Benedict XVI created a legacy of eloquent and profound instruction on the person of Christ, in the Christian virtues, and in theology, which will continue to benefit all the faithful for generations to come, especially the Knights of Columbus, among whom his teaching on the virtue of charity in Deus Caritas Est resonates in a profound way; and

WHEREAS, he raised to the honors of the altar three members of the Knights of Columbus through the canonization of Bishop Rafael Guízar Valencia and the beatification of both Father José Trinidad Rangel Montaño and Leonardo Pérez Larios; and

WHEREAS, he publicly demonstrated his interest in the cause for canonization of our Founder when he declared him to be a Venerable Servant of God, and when he highlighted ‘the remarkable accomplishment of that exemplary American priest, the Venerable Michael McGivney, whose vision and zeal led to the establishment of the Knights of Columbus” during a homily in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, on April 19, 2008; and

WHEREAS, during a Consistory of the Sacred College of Cardinals on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes 2013, he announced his freely made decision to renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome and Successor of Saint Peter and entered a life of prayerful service to the Church as Pope Emeritus on February 28, 2013; and

WHEREAS, on December 31, 2022, following a life of service, sacrifice, and prayer, he entered into eternal glory speaking the parting words ‘Lord, I love you;’ and

WHEREAS, the Supreme Officers traveled to Rome to attend the Holy Father’s Requiem Mass and offer their prayers on behalf of the whole Order in thanksgiving for the life of this truly remarkable servant of the Church;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Knights of Columbus hails Pope Benedict XVI as a most gentle shepherd, whose ministry served as a blessing to Knights and all Catholics, even amid turbulent times, and who manifested before the whole world a supreme example of humility, love for the Church, and respect for the Petrine Office.”

    Find a list of this year’s resolutions at  facebook.com/IWknights9981on IWKnights9981.com/bulletin, on facebook.com/IWknights9981, on Twitter at twitter.com/IwKnights and now in the Friday Flocknotes.