Knights of Columbus exceed $100 million in global support for vocations to priesthood, religious life
As Catholics in the U.S. wrap up National Vocation Awareness Week, Nov. 3-9, one of the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organizations announced it has provided more than $100 million to date to those seeking religious life.
In a Nov. 8 media release, the Knights of Columbus said that its local councils — which globally total over 16,800 — have helped to donate more than $100 million directly to seminarians, postulants and novices.
That support is channeled through the Knights’ Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP) which was launched in 1981 as vocations in North America began to decline.
Through RSVP, every $500 a local council provides to a seminarian or religious life aspirant is incentivized by a refund of $100 from the Knights’ Supreme Council, up to $400 for $2,000 donated.
In addition, the local council must offer non-financial support through letters, personal visits to the seminary or religious residence, or invitations to attend council events.
The program works to form “strong and long-lasting bonds” to those seeking to dedicate their lives to the church, said the Knights.
Donations to RSVP hit an all-time high last year, with more than 2,700 local councils contributing $4.1 million, according to the Knights.
With seminary formation averaging as much as $55,000 annually in some parts of the nation — and with many seminarians and religious life aspirants pursuing their vocations after incurring student loans debt for undergraduate degrees — initiatives such as RSVP have become increasingly vital.
New Jersey State Council Honors, Supports Priests
The Knights of Columbus New Jersey State Council celebrated its annual Pride in Priests
Dinner at The Grove in Cedar Grove, NJ, on Nov. 4, where hundreds of councils from around the Archdiocese of Newark gathered to honor the priests who serve the Catholic faithful of northern New Jersey. State officers and members from chapters across northern New Jersey attended with spouses and hosted many priests of the Archdiocese, expressing enthusiastic support for the priesthood.
All the bishops of the Archdiocese attended, including Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop, who spoke at the dinner and expressed gratitude to the Knights for their work, particularly thanking them for underwriting the restoration of the baldacchino at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican—a project that had not been undertaken in 250 years, and was completed in time for the opening of the 2025 Jubilee Year.
Other bishops in attendance included Auxiliary Bishops Manuel A. Cruz, Elias R. Lorenzo, O.S.B., Michael
A. Saporito, and Gregory J. Studerus. At the dinner’s conclusion, State Treasurer Russell
Petrocelli presented Cardinal Tobin with a check to support the Archdiocese’s charitable efforts.
Founded by Blessed Michael J. McGivney in 1882 in New Haven, Conn., the Knights of Columbus is the largest Catholic lay organization, with 1.8 million members in 13 countries, dedicated to supporting the Church, protecting families, and engaging in charitable works. Any Catholic man over the age of 18 interested in joining our Council is welcome to speak with our Grand Knight, Chaplain, or any Council member.
This article was written by Gina Christian of OSV News. Maria Margiotta of the Archdiocese of Newark contributed to the story.
Featured image: The Knights of Columbus New Jersey State Council celebrated its annual Pride in Priests Dinner on Nov. 4 in Cedar Grove, NJ (photo courtesy of Auxiliary Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo, OSB).
