The recent National Eucharistic Congress underscores our responsibility to invite others to an encounter with Christ

By Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly

9/1/2024

Source

Perhaps the best part of being the supreme knight is hearing the gratitude of others for everything that Knights of Columbus do. I experienced a unique example of this privilege at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in July. Not only was it powerful; it was completely unexpected.

I was standing backstage, preparing to give brief remarks to the crowd in Lucas Oil Stadium. On the stage, in the flow of her comments, the emcee mentioned the Knights of Columbus as one of the leading sponsors of the congress. The audience — more than 50,000 strong — erupted in spontaneous applause. The emcee was caught off guard and had to wait for the applause to die down before continuing.

The outpouring of appreciation was deeply moving. Of course, the organizers and the U.S. bishops know how much we helped to make the congress happen — how we sponsored the gathering, participated in the four cross-country pilgrimages, and assisted through the work of our councils.

But those tens of thousands in the audience? Relatively few of them knew about our specific contributions to the congress. Nor do many realize how much we do around the world. But they do know something — or should I say someone, in their local communities. They know you, my brother Knights, and they see what you do, day in and day out.

They see you seating people for Mass or taking up the collection — being the strong right arm of your parish priest and helping with whatever he needs. They see you putting coats on kids and raising funds to support the local pregnancy center. They see you going “to the peripheries,” serving the most vulnerable and putting your faith into action for the sake of others.

They see you strengthening families, starting with your own, and helping men become better husbands and fathers. And they see you supporting the Church and sharing your faith just by being who you are.

That’s why the arena broke into applause — not because they see everything we do, but because they see what each of you do.

As I reflected on this and on my experience at the congress, I was also reminded of our duty to continue our work — and indeed, to multiply it. This event was a special moment for the Church in the United States. But the revival of love for our Lord in the Eucharist has to be an ongoing movement for Knights and their families everywhere.

How do we take the grace that came from the congress and carry it into our homes, our parishes and our communities? The first and best answer is to continue to do what we are already doing, always with a clear sense of whom we are doing it for — Jesus, our Eucharistic Lord. In all of our activities, the most important thing we can do is to bear witness to Christ.

This event was a special moment for the Church in the United States. But the revival of love for our Lord in the Eucharist has to be an ongoing movement for Knights and their families everywhere.

But we can also do more. I encourage every Knight of Columbus family to take seriously the challenge from our bishops to invite just one person back to regular attendance of Sunday Mass. Reach out to that friend, family member, even that child or grandchild. Invite them, too, to Eucharistic adoration or a Eucharistic procession. Let’s not just help make these events possible in our parishes. Let’s fill the pews and streets with people who have never been to one, or who have not been in a long time.

It’s a simple matter of invitation. Like Jesus said to his first disciples (Jn 1:39) or the woman at the well said to her neighbors (Jn 4:29), all we have to do is say, “Come and see.” The rest we leave in the loving hands of Christ himself.

Vivat Jesus!