Let us make California Strong, Active and Engaged Jurisdiction!
The strength of the Order tomorrow will be determined by the men we inspire, engage and welcome today. Membership growth is not just a goal, but it is to ensure that the principles of Charity, Unity and Fraternity that has guided us for 144 years will continue to transform lives for future generations to come.
This Columbian year I encourage your councils to be more active and participate at parish and church events and to conduct a Council Membership and Faith In Action Program every Sunday, or at least once a month. Brothers, your Membership Drive is also your Charity or Faith In Action Program Drive.
A priest on his homily said that ‘we have our own calling…. you and I my brothers joined the knights of Columbus because we answered the call….”To protect the widow and the orphan, to care for the needy. Help and serve those in need….to be A Knight and A Man For Others!” I challenge each of you to make this a year of extraordinary growth and service for California. Reach out, invite, engage that Catholic man who has not yet been asked to join the Order. What you and I will accomplish goes far beyond any individual goal or purpose, it determines how extensively and effectively our Order can fulfill its mission and the vision of Blessed Michael McGivney when he founded the Knights of Columbus 144 years ago.
Vivat Jesus!
Vladi Rivera
State Deputy
STATE CHAPLAIN MESSAGE FOR SEPTEMBER 2026
Dear Worthy Chaplains and Worthy Brother Knights,
The past month of August has been a huge blessing for our Order. We were not only able to celebrate the feastday of our founder, Blessed Michael McGivney, last August 14th, but we were blessed as well to observe the feastday of our co-patron this Columbian Year, Saint Augustine of Hippo, last August 28th. Both holy men promoted Unity and Charity, two of the pillars our Order desires that every brother Knight must strive to live out in their families, councils, faith communities and society.
If you haven’t watched “An American Blessed,” the new powerful documentary of our founder, Blessed Michael McGivney, which highlights his inspiring example of fraternal charity, evangelization, and empowerment of the laity, I’d highly encourage you to view this 30-minute documentary as a council, before an exemplification, during a COR gathering or at home with family. It is an excellent introduction of our founder from his humble beginnings as the son of Irish immigrants, to his founding of the Knights of Columbus as well as to his beatification. God-willing and through our persistent prayers, we shall witness in our time his Canonization that many brother Knights before us longed to see. Here’s the link to the new inspiring documentary, “An American Blessed”: https://www.fathermcgivney.org/
Saint Augustine of Hippo was always concerned for unity in the Church of his time. In his sermons, he tried to explain unity that comes from the Eucharist. He used the imagery of many grains of wheat and many grapes coming together. Just as these many grains and grapes lose their isolation to become just one food and drink, the believers from various circumstances of life are united in the same way as the One Body of Christ. Inspired by the words of Saint Paul (1 Cor. 12: 27), Augustine insists further that “we are a part and individual members of the body of Christ.” And when we hear, “The Body of Christ” during Communion and we reply, “Amen,” Augustine reminds us that we have truly become One Body of Christ, the Church. Thus, to those who find themselves in line for Holy Communion, our co-patron encourages them with these words, “Behold what you see. Become what you receive.”
Vivat Jesus,
Reverend Father Raymund M. Reyes
Blessed Father Michael McGivney relic tour requests
