Knights of Columbus recognized for pro-life ministry during ‘Life is Beautiful’ Mass

The Archdiocese of Baltimore recognized the Knights of Columbus for their ongoing ministry in support of the pro-life cause during the annual Life is Beautiful Mass Jan. 16 at St. Louis in Clarksville.

The Culture of Life Medal of Honor, presented to an individual or local group for significant contributions to defending the truth about the life and dignity of every person, was granted to the Maryland State Council of the Knights of Columbus, currently led by state deputy Vincent Grauso.

The Life is Beautiful Award, presented to an individual or organization which exemplifies the Catholic response to the pro-life call in “Evangelium Vitae” (“The Gospel of Life”), was given to the Knights of Columbus, led by Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly.

Archbishop William E. Lori, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities and Knights of Columbus supreme chaplain, celebrated the 2022 Life is Beautiful Mass.

“The lesson of life’s beauty, learned best in the family circle, deserves to be writ large across the whole of our society and all of us have a part in doing so,” he said during his homily. “Let us resolve to know and to understand, to love and to help moms facing difficult pregnancies. Let us resolve to create a society that cherishes and protects everyone’s life.”

The Maryland State Council of the Knights of Columbus has a longstanding history of leadership and service for pro-life initiatives in Maryland.

State Pro-Life Couple Frank and Sue Arlinghaus, parishioners of St. Louis, served in multiple roles throughout the archdiocese advocating for life and supporting pregnancy centers.

Life Activities Director John Sniezek provides regular updates and guidance in the state, ensuring the growth and success of life programs as a core mission of the Knights of Columbus.

One of the most significant contributions of the Maryland State Council has been through the Knights’ ultrasound program. Over the past 18 months, Knights have donated seven ultrasound machines to pro-life pregnancy centers throughout the state.

Since the program’s beginning in June 2010, the Knights have provided more than $1 million in funding to purchase 35 ultrasound machines throughout Maryland. The cumulative price of the donated machines is $1.5 million. Half of that sum has been raised by the Maryland state and local councils, and the rest matched by the Supreme Council.

“Almost every pregnancy center in Maryland that wants an ultrasound machine has gotten one from the Knights of Columbus,” Grauso said. He recalled a pregnancy center in Salisbury that credited the center’s ultrasound machine with saving 70 babies last year.

“When the mothers hear the baby’s heartbeat and actually see their baby, it really changes their mind,” said the St. Louis parishioner. “It’s really impressive to see some of the new features on the new ultrasound machines.”

Grauso affirmed the Knights will expand their pro-life mission with parishes programs, particularly “Walking with Moms in Need.”

As of January 2022, the Knights of Columbus have donated 1,500 ultrasound machines across the country. The total value of those machines stands at more than $72 million.

“Our efforts to promote a culture of life are an extension of his ministry to uphold the dignity of the human person and to ensure that life is protected and supported in every stage and condition,” Kelly said.    

In addition to the ultrasound initiative, the Knights of Columbus have served communities across the country and abroad by participating in more than 50 pro-life marches and rallies around the globe.

According to Kelly, the Knights of Columbus and their families form one of, “if not the largest, contingents of march participants from any ‘pro-life’ organization in the world.” Many members also serve as the organizers, speakers and marshals for many of those marches.

Since the first International Special Olympics Summer Games in 1968, the Knights of Columbus have donated millions of dollars in financial support and volunteer hours toward programs empowering athletes each year. Some of the most popular forms of support include participation in the Law Enforcement Torch Runs, coaching Special Olympics athletes and other fundraising events. 

“When a Knight volunteers at a pregnancy resource center, coaches a Special Olympics athlete or even visits a nursing home, he is fulfilling his call to continue our founder’s work,” Kelly said, referring to Blessed Father Michael McGivney.

Other life programs include the promotion and support of the March for Life in Washington D.C., of which Kelly is former chairman, 40 Days for Life, pregnancy centers support, hospice work, opposition to physician-assisted suicide, organization of a Mass with people with special needs, the Silver Rose program, the “Cemetery for the Innocents” and the annual novena for life.

Email Priscila González de Doran at pdoran@CatholicReview.org

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