(ZENIT News / Washington, 11.13.2024).- The Knights of Columbus, announced on November 8 that they have now contributed over $100 million to those pursuing religious vocations. This funding, provided through the organization’s Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP), supports seminarians, postulants, and novices globally as they prepare to dedicate their lives to the Church.
Established in 1981 during a period of declining vocations in North America, RSVP provides direct financial support to individuals in religious training through contributions from the Knights’ network of more than 16,800 local councils. For every $500 a local council donates to a seminarian or aspiring religious, the Supreme Council of the Knights reimburses the council with an additional $100, incentivizing donations up to a maximum of $400 per recipient.
The RSVP program also encourages local councils to provide non-financial support, such as sending letters, making personal visits to seminaries, and inviting seminarians to local events. This personal connection is designed to create lasting bonds between religious aspirants and the communities they aim to serve. Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly emphasized the importance of this connection, stating that last year alone, over 2,700 councils contributed a record-breaking $4.1 million through RSVP.
Kelly noted that the organization’s commitment to supporting vocations stems from its founder, Blessed Michael J. McGivney, whose own path to priesthood was threatened by financial hardship. Born to Irish immigrants in Connecticut in 1852, McGivney had to leave school at 13 to support his family. Later, his studies at St. Mary’s College in Montreal were nearly derailed when his father passed away. A timely scholarship from the Bishop of Hartford allowed him to continue, paving the way for his priesthood and the eventual founding of the Knights of Columbus.
Kelly underscored the significance of this support today, as many seminarians face steep educational costs—reaching $55,000 annually in some regions. Many also bring student debt from their undergraduate studies, making programs like RSVP essential. Kelly described RSVP as a way to “pay forward” the life-changing support that enabled McGivney to fulfill his vocation, adding that these initiatives are crucial for empowering the next generation of Catholic clergy.
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