Supreme Knight's Report

Vocations

Members of Bishop B. J. Eustace Assembly in Camden, N.J., provided an honor guard for the ordination Mass of Father John C. Delaney, who stood on the steps of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception before giving his first blessing to fellow priests.

Every Catholic today should know how urgent the need is for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Some simply wring their hands in despair, but as Cardinal Gibbons said of us back in 1917, “The Knights of Columbus do things!”

One of the things we have been doing since 1981 is providing financial support to seminarians, postulants and novices through our Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP). This year, more than 2,500 councils, assemblies and circles participated, and for every $500 they provided, they received a $100 refund from the Supreme Council.

Councils provided more than $2.6 million to 4,513 men and women this year — an increase of more than $100,000 over last year. The total amount contributed since 1981 now stands at more than $38 million, as we have helped 61,196 men and women follow their vocations.

Every seminarian should be supported in his preparation for priesthood through our “adopt a seminarian” program. Many men who are now priests look back with gratitude for the support of Knights, such as Father Greg Oslewski of North Olmstead (Ohio) Council 4731. He entered the seminary at age 40.

Over the following five years, the council provided financial support for him and invited him to give periodic talks on his vocation. When it was time for his ordination last year, his brother Knights purchased a traveling Mass kit and stoles as a special gift for Father Oslewski.

The Supreme Council also awards major grants to seminarians through the Bishop Thomas V. Daily and Father Michael J. McGivney scholarship programs. Over the years, the two scholarship programs have provided over $4 million, guaranteeing that a vocation will never be lost due to lack of funds.