Mexican Martyrs
/Blog/Hot-News/Hot-News/Mexican-Martyrs/?link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
General
The faithful at five Diocese of Venice parishes were allowed to venerate the relics of six Mexican martyrs during a special tour by the Knights of Columbus Silver Cross.
The relics are those of six Catholic priests, and members of the Knights of Columbus, who accepted death rather than halting their public practice of faith during the Cristero War of 1
926-29.
Bishop Frank J. DeWayne celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Nov. 24, 2024, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, to mark the start of the tour at St. Maximillian Kolbe Parish in Port Charlotte.
Bishop Dewane said these martyrs should serve as an example to all as they lived their faith with courage nearly a century ago.
"For these six young priests, they were clear who was King in their life, there is no doubt," Bishop Dewane said. "Christ must be the King for you and me. If someone else, or something else has taken that role, we have to look at how we set about changing that in the life we live.”
The relics – tiny slivers of bone – are housed in a silver, cross-shaped reliquary and it was placed in front of the altar so people can pay their respects after Mass. The reliquary with the relics of the six priests was presented to the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus in 2001.
The six priests – Fathers Luis Batis Sainz, Jose Maria Robles Hurtado, Mateo Correa Magallanes, Miguel del la Mora, Rodrigo Aguilar Aleman, and Pedro de Jesús Maldonado Lucero – were among 25 Mexican martyrs whom St. John Paul II canonized in 2000.
At the time of the Cristero War, the anti-clerical government, in the wake of the Mexican Revolution, banned public religious rituals. Catholic clergy and lay people resisted, and many were arrested, tortured or killed. The rebellion is depicted in the movie "For Greater Glory,” and includes Father Hurtado’s story and death in 1927 at the hands of Mexican troops.
The Silver Cross, which is normally housed at the Knights of Columbus Supreme Headquarters Museum in New Haven, Conn., was brought to St. Maximilliam Kolbe Parish at the behest of Kellmis Fernandez, who serves as the Florida Knights of Columbus Hispanic Development Coordinator.
"My heart is bursting with joy to see everyone here," Fernandez said. "This is something very special. We have been after this for quite a while. I think providence is great, because these are people who gave their lives for their belief.”
/Blog/Hot-News/Hot-News/FSC-Convention-Rules-and-Reguslations/?link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
General
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FLORIDA STATE COUNCIL
CONVENTION RULES AND REGULATIONS
A significant number of Delegates attend the Knights of Columbus Florida State Council Annual Meeting (otherwise known as the State Convention). In order to ensure an orderly convention and a suitably fraternal weekend, please read the following information. A PDF copy of these Rules and Regulations can be found HERE
/Blog/Hot-News/Hot-News/Statewide-ASAP-Initiative-for-May-2024/?link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
General
As all of you know, Supreme's Aid and Support After Pregnancy (ASAP) program has been an outstanding success over the last two years. This program enables Council donations to pregnancy centers and maternal homes to be supplemented with matching funds from Supreme up to a certain dollar amount. Many of you have enthusiastically embraced this program, driving Florida to #1 in the Order in FY 2022-2023 and currently #5 in this Fraternal Year.
Supreme has recently come out with a Jurisdictional (statewide) ASAP "Pass the Hat" incentive, whereby Supreme will match 25% of the collective contributions of Councils up to $50,000 by the end of May to pregnancy centers and maternal homes that the State Council designates. We are asking all Councils to participate in this short-term fundraising project. Here is how it will work.
/Blog/Hot-News/Hot-News/Exhibit-Explores-Blessed-McGiveny-passion-for-Baseball/?link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
General
New online exhibit explores sainthood candidate's passion for baseball
(NEW HAVEN, Connecticut) Beginning October 1, 2021, The Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center will display an online exhibition centering on the Knights of Columbus connection with baseball, which spans almost a century and a half.
The game of baseball historically is known as America's Pastime. It has been played professionally for more than a century and has produced events, players and venues that are enduring in American lore.
