Archbishop Lori’s Opening Prayer: Knights of Columbus 137th Supreme Convention; Minneapolis, MN

Opening Prayer
Knights of Columbus 137th Supreme Convention
Minneapolis, MN
Aug. 6, 2019

Father, ‘from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name’, (Eph. 3:15) we give you thanks and praise as we gather together from near and far to begin this 137th Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus. Bless us as we gather as one.

We come from the Ukraine, from the Philippines, from Canada and from Poland, we come from Mexico, the United States, France, and Central America. We speak many languages and represent many different cultures but in your goodness Lord you have brought us together in the name of your Son and our Savior Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Already this morning you blessed us in the Eucharist, ‘the sacrament of love, a sign of unity and a bond of charity’ (cf. SC, 47; CCC, no. 1323; St. Augustine, Tractatus in Ioannis Evangelium, 6, 13), and now we ask that you extend your blessings upon the entire family of Knights of Columbus as we begin our proceedings of this Convention.

Through your Holy Spirit, confirm in each of us and all of us the reconciling and redeeming love of our Savior. In your mercy, break down in us every sinful impediment to our unity, and in your grace, unite us in professing “one Lord, one faith, one Baptism” (Eph. 4:5). May we, your Knights, be one in following Christ; one in professing our faith; and one in living out the call to holiness given us in Baptism. Through the prayers of our founder, the Venerable Fr. Michael McGivney, may be united in the works of charity and united in our fraternity, and thus be a sign and a force for unity in both the Church and in the world. In a divided world, Lord, “make us, Lord, instruments of your peace”.

Bless our Holy Father Pope Francis as he leads and serves the Church throughout the world. Keep in your love the many bishops, priests, deacons, religious and seminarians who join us in these days of our Supreme Convention. In your goodness bless our Worthy Supreme Knight and his wife Dorian and all those who those lead and sustain the mission of the Order through their dedicated labors, day in and day out; bless them and their families.

Father of all nations, protect our homelands and their leaders, sustain those whom we seek to serve in Christ, especially the poorest and most vulnerable. Forge in us, Lord, in the days ahead, ever deeper ties of charity, unity, and fraternity, coupled with a spirit of genuine patriotism and service to our native lands and our world.

Accompanied by the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, we make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.