Knights of Columbus #704

With Pope Francis visiting the United States in just under a month, a newly released Knights of Columbus-Marist poll shows the pope is popular, but largely unknown by the American public.

On the eve of Pope Francis’ visit to the United States, a new Knights of Columbus-Marist poll reveals that practicing Catholics approve of Pope Francis at even higher rates than non-practicing Catholics or Americans in general, and also support Church teaching by much wider margins than other groups.

With Pope Francis visiting the United States in just under a month, a newly released Knights of Columbus-Marist poll shows the pope is popular, but largely unknown by the American public.

Citing the Knights of Columbus' strong presence in Catholic communities and its members' loyalty, ratings agency A.M. Best reaffirmed the K of C’s rating of A++ (Superior) for financial strength. The rating agency’s announcement marks the 40th consecutive year that the Knights of Columbus earned A.M. Best's highest marks.

At a Mass marking the 125th anniversary of the death of Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney, Knights and families from throughout Connecticut gathered in St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, where the Order was founded in 1882.

A newspaper clipping survives that describes the sermon which a Dominican priest delivered at Father McGivney’s funeral Mass. It says that “Father Higgins’ remarks occupied about forty minutes … and many were moved to tears.” If I were to speak for forty minutes this afternoon there would not be tears but desperation.

A Mass to mark the 125th anniversary of the death of Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus and a candidate for sainthood, will be held on Friday, Aug. 14, at noon at St. Mary’s Church, 5 Hillhouse Ave., New Haven.

The Knights of Columbus commemorates the 125th anniversary of the death of Venerable Father Michael McGivney with special events and coverage.

The Knights of Columbus will redouble its humanitarian efforts benefitting persecuted Middle Eastern Christians and begin an education campaign to make their plight better known. The effort is part of the Knights’ Christian Refugee Relief Fund, which has delivered more than $3 million in humanitarian aid to persecuted Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East.

In a letter of papal greeting to the Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention, Pope Francis expressed his “warm good wishes” to all present.