The Knights of Columbus are actively assisting with Pope Francis’ trip to the United States in a variety of ways, including the contribution of financial and volunteer support, and the donation of printing services for Mass books and other literature which will be distributed and used at papal events.
A key component of the Knights’ support is the printing of 350,000 programs for use at the principal Mass of Pope Francis’ visit to the United States. The printing was done free of charge by the Knights of Columbus at its New Haven, Conn., printing plant.
The program includes the prayers, readings and music for the Sunday, Sept. 27, Mass in Philadelphia that will close the World Meeting of Families (WMOF). The K of C’s New Haven printing plant is donating its services, valued at more than $100,000, as a gesture of solidarity with Pope Francis.
The 24-page Papal Mass program, printed on FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) recycled paper made in the U.S., features on its cover an image of the Holy Family, commissioned for the WMOF. The booklet, which will serve as a keepsake for those in attendance, will include portions printed in English, Greek, Latin, Spanish and Vietnamese, reflecting the history and diversity of the Church in the United States.
The program’s music includes songs composed by Peter Latona, a member of Knights of Columbus Potomac Council 433 in Washington, D.C., whose arrangement of Robert Kreutz’s “Gift of Finest Wheat” will be sung during Communion. Latona’s original work “Look Up and Count the Stars,” written for the papal visit and premiered at the K of C Supreme Convention in Philadelphia last month, will also be played by the Philadelphia Orchestra during the papal Mass prelude.
“The Holy Father’s commitment to charity has been a great inspiration for the nearly 2 million members of the Knights of Columbus, for whom charity is the first principle,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. “We are honored to be able to support his visit to the United States by assisting the archdioceses he will visit and their efforts related to his visit.”
In addition to printing the Mass program, the Knights’ efforts on behalf of the papal visit include financial support for the WMOF and events in Washington and New York; the printing of prayer cards and books related to the canonization of Junípero Serra; and the work of many thousands of Knights who will serve as volunteers at events throughout the visit. In addition, a number of K of C officials will attend the papal events in Washington, New York and Philadelphia.
The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization, with approximately 1.9 million members worldwide. One of the most active charitable organizations in the United States, the Knights of Columbus donated more than $173.5 million and 71.5 million hours of service in 2014.
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