Author: Chris Kremer
Isaiah 2:3
And many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
As Knights of Columbus, our journey is both a pilgrimage and a mission to bring God’s presence into our world, particularly by protecting and nurturing our families. After reviewing several of the 10784s, it’s clear that the impact of our actions is often greater than we realize. Our work as Knights extends beyond the service we provide, reaching people we may never meet, shaping the spiritual lives of our communities. What sets us apart from other organizations is our distinct mission to protect the Catholic family. Whether it's our own families or the broader spiritual community, we have the power and responsibility to show God’s love through our actions. Even during low periods, know that what you do touches lives in ways you cannot always see. Our pilgrimage is not just about walking toward God ourselves, but bringing our families and communities along with us, ensuring they are protected, nurtured, and led to Him.
This month’s 10784 highlight is a Council who conducted a Social Gathering. This Council had 28 brothers Knights and 3 priest. They went to a local restaurant and had a discussion on spiritual aspects of life. While it might seem that have a bias because it sounds like COR. I chose this activity because it is not only Fraternal but building Faith and Community. Keep up the strong work brothers; our Parish Communities thanks you.
The Knights of Columbus hold patriotism as one of their core principles, recognizing that faithful citizenship is a vital component of building a just society. A key duty of every member is participating in the democratic process by voting in elections. Voting is both a privilege and a responsibility, ensuring that the values of faith, family, and community are reflected in public life. By casting a vote, Knights fulfill their duty to shape the future of their nation, guided by principles of justice, charity, and the common good, in alignment with Catholic social teachings.
St. Faustina Kowalska, whose feast day is celebrated on October 5th, is known as the Apostle of Divine Mercy. Born in Poland in 1905, she joined the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy at a young age, dedicating her life to prayer and service. Through a series of mystical visions, Jesus revealed to her the message of Divine Mercy, which she recorded in her diary, later published as Divine Mercy in My Soul. Her mission was to promote trust in God's mercy and encourage the practice of mercy toward others. St. Faustina is the patron saint of mercy and the Divine Mercy devotion. One of her most famous quotes is, "Jesus, I trust in You," encapsulating the heart of her message to the world.
The Prayer this month is based on our Saint of the Month, Divine Mercy Chaplet. Since we all carry our rosary, you can pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on your Rosary. Below is the prayers and format:
Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
(Optional) Opening Prayers:
"You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls..."
"O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!"
Pray an Our Father.
Pray a Hail Mary.
Pray the Apostles’ Creed.
On the Our Father bead (the large bead), pray:
"Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world."
On each of the 10 Hail Mary beads (small beads), pray:
"For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."
Repeat steps 6 and 7 for all five decades (each set of 10 beads).
After the five decades, pray three times:
"Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world."
(Optional) Closing Prayer:
"Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible..."
End with the Sign of the Cross.
Vivat Jesus
Chris Kremer
State Warden