3/10/2023
Pope Francis blesses a St. Joseph pilgrim icon that was presented by Supreme Knight Kelly during a private audience at the Vatican on Oct. 25, 2021. (Photo by L’Osservatore Romano)
Dear Brother Knights,
This month we mark the 10-year anniversary of the election of Pope Francis as Supreme Pastor of the Universal Church. Since the beginning of his pontificate, the constant request of our Holy Father has been, “pray for me.” In fact, each time I have met with him, his request to the Knights of Columbus has been the same: “Please, pray for me.”
It is, of course, our duty and our honor to do just this.
From Sunday, March 12, to the (transferred) Solemnity of St. Joseph on Monday, March 20, 2023, I ask all Knights of Columbus to offer additional prayers for Pope Francis. And I encourage that you ask your families and fellow parishioners to do the same.
Pope Francis was installed on the Solemnity of St. Joseph in 2013, and he has referenced St. Joseph time and again in his messages to the Order, beginning with his message to our Supreme Convention nearly 10 years ago, which said, “As protector of the Holy Family, the humble carpenter of Nazareth is a model of the manly virtues of quiet strength, integrity and fidelity which the Knights of Columbus have sought to preserve, cultivate and pass on to new generations of Catholic men.”
I am therefore encouraging a Novena to St. Joseph for the Holy Father. To that end, please find resources below for your use and distribution.
As Pope Francis marks 10 years of service as the successor of St. Peter, let’s give him the very best gift we have to offer: our prayers.
Fraternally,
Patrick E. Kelly
Supreme Knight
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH FOR POPE FRANCIS ON THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS PONTIFICATE