Pope Francis met this morning with the Board of Directors of the Knights of Columbus during an audience at the Vatican Apostolic Palace. The Holy Father thanked the Knights for their prayers throughout his pontificate.
The Pope also thanked them for their “unfailing support” for the works of the Holy See. “This support finds particular expression in the Vicarius Christi Fund, which is an eloquent sign of your solidarity with the Successor of Peter in his concern for the universal Church, but it is also seen in the daily prayers, sacrifices and apostolic works of so many Knights in their local Councils, their parishes and their communities,” the Pope said.
Continuing his address, the Holy Father stated his hope that prayer, witness to the faith and concern for others continue to be “the three pillars” in their individual and corporate work. “In fidelity to the vision of the Venerable Father Michael McGivney, may you continue to seek new ways of being a leaven of the Gospel and a force for the spiritual renewal of society,” he said.
Concluding his address, the Holy Father commended the Knights to the intercession of Saint Joseph, protector of the Holy Family. St. Joseph, he said, “is an admirable model of those manly virtues of quiet strength, integrity and fidelity which the Knights of Columbus are committed to preserving, cultivating and passing on to future generations of Catholic men.”
— — —
ON ZENIT’s web page:
For the full text of the Pope’s address, go to:
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-address-to-the-delegation-from-the-knights-of-columbus
