Fraternal leaders representing more than 70 Knights of Columbus jurisdictions worldwide gathered in New Haven, Connecticut, for the annual Organizational Meeting of State Deputies, held June 4-8, to unite in prayer and prepare for the upcoming fraternal year.
Throughout the week, state deputies from the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Guam, Poland, Ukraine, France and the Republic of Korea participated in daily Masses, workshops, planning sessions and fraternal events. Many of them also met with their state chaplains, who were attending a concurrent State Chaplain’s Meeting, June 4-7.
On June 6, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly conferred medals of office on 37 newly elected state deputies at the conclusion of Mass at St. Mary’s Church — the birthplace of the Order. Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore was the principal celebrant, joined by more than 35 Knights of Columbus chaplains as concelebrants.
In his homily, Archbishop Lori reflected on the Gospel passage in which the risen Lord asks St. Peter, “Do you love me?” — a question he said is also directed to Knights of Columbus leaders.
“Indeed, it is directed to us in a particular way, we who form the leadership of the Knights of Columbus,” he said. “For we are the leaders, the guardians, and in a sense, the shepherds of an Order that is founded on love — on the principle of charity.”
Leadership in the Order, Archbishop Lori emphasized, is rooted in discipleship: “There will be days when you are asked to go where you would rather not go, to perform tasks and take on responsibilities you might prefer to avoid. Then hear the Lord say, ‘Follow me!’ … Disciples are those who have learned to love as the Lord loves.”
That afternoon, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly delivered keynote remarks that similarly emphasized the Order’s obligation to missionary discipleship. He pointed to Pope Leo XIV’s call for missionary outreach and to the rising number of adult converts in the United States and Europe.
“We’re seeing the Holy Spirit taking action in our Church,” the supreme knight said. “What’s so interesting is many of the converts are young men, and they’re looking for a faith that challenges them — a robust faith. Our job as Knights is to give a place where they can not only grow in their faith, but where they can put their faith into action.”
Reflecting on the first month of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy, the supreme knight noted that Pope Leo XIII — pontiff from 1878-1903 — led the Church through the Industrial Age and laid the foundations of modern Catholic social teaching. That same era saw Blessed Michael McGivney, whose priestly ministry largely overlapped Leo XIII’s pontificate, championing the dignity of workers and being a voice for widows and orphans in his own parish.
“Now fast forward — Pope Leo XIV is calling us to do the same thing in different circumstances,” Supreme Knight Kelly said. “The challenges are different now than they were then, but the need to protect human dignity is the same.”
The supreme knight also underscored the Order’s achievements over the past year — including 48 million volunteer hours and a record $197 million donated to charity. The Order’s RSVP (Refund Support for Vocations Program) reached a new milestone, surpassing $100 million in total support for seminarians and postulants since its inception. In 2024, Knights also donated over $5 million to pregnancy care centers and maternity homes through the ASAP (Aid and Support After Pregnancy) program.
“It’s a great achievement, and I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you for the work that you’ve done,” Supreme Knight Kelly told the assembled leaders.
With more than 2 million members, the Order continues to attract men seeking meaning and purpose, the supreme knight said. One of the most effective ways to foster Christian discipleship, he added, is through Cor, the Orderwide initiative that launched in 2023 to help men grow in prayer, formation and fraternity.
In the past year alone, Cor has expanded from about 600 councils participating to more than 5,000, and the importance of advancing its growth was a central theme throughout the meeting of state deputies.
“Let’s keep moving forward with Cor,” the supreme knight urged. “It’s an extraordinary opportunity for us to help the Church and to help men — to help families.”
He added, “Pope Leo has spoken about isolation and loneliness in our time — themes that we have talked about in our meetings. He says that what we must do is respond with missionary outreach. We must say to the world, with humility and joy: ‘Look to Christ. Come closer to Christ.’ … We have to keep Christ at the center of everything that we’re doing. And if we can do that, God will do the rest.”
During the meeting, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly also recognized Archbishop Lori with a resolution from the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors honoring him on the occasion of two recent milestones — the 30th anniversary of his episcopal ordination and his 20th anniversary as supreme chaplain.
“My ministry as a priest and as a bishop — being closely associated with the work of the Knights of Columbus — is one of the great, great graces in my life,” Archbishop Lori said. “I am humbled and honored to do it, and I appreciate all of the support and all of the encouragement I receive in being part of this great mission.”
On June 5, Archbishop Lori led state chaplains on a pilgrimage to several sites associated with Blessed Michael McGivney’s life and ministry, including a concelebrated Mass at Immaculate Conception Church in Terryville. In his homily, the supreme chaplain urged his brother bishops and priests to follow Father McGivney’s pastoral example.
“It was his union with Christ, his devotion to the Sacred Heart, his zeal as a confessor, his tender devotion to the Blessed Mother — all this and more got him up in the morning and propelled his ministry,” he said. “If you and I would be worthy successors to Blessed Michael McGivney, we must first and foremost be priests who love the ministry we’ve been called to — and love the people whom we are privileged to serve.”
During Mass on Saturday morning, June 7, the assembled leaders also prayed for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis.
“Pope Francis was really a great friend to the Knights of Columbus,” Supreme Knight Kelly said in his keynote remarks the previous day. “He was also a great supporter of Father McGivney. He approved the beatification of Father McGivney, and he loved how Father McGivney was connected to the people of his parish and the real needs that those people were struggling with.”
Reflecting on the theme of the current Jubilee Year, as declared by Pope Francis, the supreme knight also encouraged all Knights to live as “Pilgrims of Hope.”
“Hope is more than optimism. It’s based on our belief in Christ and in his sacrificial love for us, and that is our anchor, that hope is our anchor amid the storms of life,” the supreme knight said. “Everything that you do to serve and sacrifice for the Order, is much more than mere volunteerism. We are followers of Christ, and we love as he taught us.”