Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
January 17, 2001
Knights publish book of spiritual devotions
Archbishop applauds innovative effort to promote spirituality among Catholic men
By Peter Droege
A dream that began seven years ago was realized Jan. 6, as Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., blessed and dedicated a new book of spiritual reflections created for the Colorado Knights of Columbus.
Titled, "Knights to Christ," the prayer book includes Scripture readings and daily reflections designed to encourage the more than 11,000 Colorado Knights and their families to deepen their spirituality.
According to Jerry O'Connor, state deputy for the Knights of Columbus, the goal is to get a copy of the book into a hand of every member of the order in Colorado. After the first week, more than 5,000 copies had been purchased by local councils and the goal was well on its way to being met.
"This was a dream that started over seven years ago," O'Connor told more than 100 state leaders of the Knights of Columbus during the order's mid-year meeting at the Denver Hilton Tech Center South. "Through the work of the Holy Spirit and through many talented individuals, the dream is now a reality," he added.
The editorial content of the book was guided by Jesuit Father Mark Link, a nationally known spiritual writer who has directed a number of retreats for the Colorado Knights of Columbus. The local editorial content was directed by Mark Flores, a Knight who served as editor in chief of the prayer book.
Local priest inspired book
According to O'Connor, the original idea for the book of spiritual reflections came from Father Ken Leone, pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Littleton and one of the priests who assist Archbishop Chaput in his role as state chaplain for the Knights.
"Father Leone asked me, `What do the Knights do for spirituality?'" O'Connor recalled. "Over the years Father Leone has provided insight and challenge, and he deserves recognition for his efforts to encourage a deeper spirituality among our members," he added.
"To my knowledge, this is the first time in the proud 100-year history of the Knights in Colorado that such a book is being offered to every Knight in our great state," commented Mark Flores.
"This little book is useful and refreshingly open to all religious traditions, even as it is firmly grounded in Roman Catholicism," he continued. "We wanted a genuinely Catholic book that would help practical Catholic gentlemen discern the direction they want to take in our fraternity and in their personal lives.
"And we wanted a book that emphasized the mission of our Order in terms of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism," concluded Flores.
Interfaith reflections
The book includes reflections by Catholic leaders such as Dorothy Day, Mother Katherine Drexel and Thomas Aquinas. It also includes readings from the Torah, the Talmud, the Islamic Hadith and more.
Before blessing and dedicating the book of spiritual reflections, Archbishop Chaput applauded the vision that inspired the book and encouraged the Knights to make a serious effort to discern where God is leading the organization in the new millennium.
"What's really important for the Knights of Columbus and their families is to be part of this new energy that God wants to give our church, and through the church the world at the beginning of the new millennium," he continued.
The archbishop explained that, what worked in the past to get people's attention, does not necessarily work today.
"Those of us who grew up reading books have to realize that young people today often don't like books very much, they want videos," he continued. "However, they do like literature, or the required equivalent of literature that comes with the new wave of technologies," he added.
"What made the Knights attractive to my generation, or my father's generation, might not be attractive to the generation of the young people of the Church in society today," he continued. "We have to look at what we are doing and find fresh ways of expressing it." Archbishop Chaput encouraged the Knights to rediscover the gifts that God wants the order to share with the Church. He pointed out that religious communities are currently on the same journey of rediscovering the gifts that guided the establishment of their orders. "The Church will last forever, but the knights of Columbus may not last forever unless they are useful to the Church," he explained. "What is the purpose of the Knights of Columbus, why were you founded?" he asked. "The reason for the Knights of Columbus, the reason why Father Michael McGivney began to dream this dream and get this group started was to provide a community of support for Catholic men in a society that was, at times, hostile towards them. "And of course, the order is known for providing care for the widows and orphans of Catholic men who died in those difficult days," he added. He encouraged members to use the book in their daily devotions as the best way to support their charitable and community efforts. Anyone interested in receiving a copy of "Knights to Christ" is encouraged to ask a member of the Knights of Columbus at a local parish.
