The Founder in the Philippines
Msgr. Pedro Quitorio and Philippine Supreme Court Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr. stand in front of a statue of Father McGivney outside the Manila Offices of KCFAPI.
Father Michael McGivney almost certainly did not expect the fraternal Order he established in Connecticut in 1882 to be planted some two decades later in the faraway Philippines, but the fact that the first council was founded in Manila in 1905 is testament to the worldwide and timeless appeal of the Knights of Columbus.
The first Knights in the Philippines were Catholic U.S. soldiers stationed in Manila in the aftermath of the Spanish-American War. Local Filipinos, however, quickly took up the Columbian banner and the story has been one of constant growth for the Order. Father George Willmann, a New York Jesuit priest assigned to the Philippines, said that the principles of the Knights and the spirit of the Filipino man were perfectly matched. Known as “the Father McGivney of the Philippines,” he promoted the Order throughout the mostly Catholic nation until his death in 1977. Today, there are more than 424,000 Knights in the Philippines in four jurisdictions: Luzon North, Luzon South, Visayas and Mindanao. In addition, Justice Jose C. Reyes Jr., who sits on the Philippine Supreme Court, is a member of the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors.
Devotion to Father McGivney is strong among the Knights and their families, thanks to the efforts of an office in Manila run by Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, director of Communications for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. With the help of staffer Ronalyn Ramos and numerous volunteers in locations throughout the archipelago nation, the life, mission and vision of Father McGivney are spread among priests, parishes, schools, youth groups, religious societies and hospitals. Visits to cancer wards have become a focus of the office’s activities. When they are told about the need for a medical miracle attributed to the intercession of Father McGivney, patients are comforted by the fact that they can pray both for their healing and for the beatification of the founder of the Knights of Columbus.
“In a country with much poverty, the example of Father McGivney is very appropriate, since he worked closely with the poor and those on the margins,” Msgr. Quitorio said. “The priests of our country identify with him very easily since much of their work involves social ministry, and working with the poorest of the poor. Personally, I have a great devotion to Father McGivney. I pray for his canonization every day and whenever I have a serious need or intention, I add to my petition: ‘Through his intercession, grant the favor I now present.’ I find it very assuring.”
Of course, spreading devotion to Father McGivney is far from the only work of the Knights in the Philippines. With severe tropical storms regularly raging across the islands, there is a constant need for relief services in the affected areas, and the Knights are always there to assist with rebuilding homes and lives, even if they themselves have suffered loss. They also partake in food and nutrition programs for children, free medical and dental clinics, tree planting to slow soil erosion, as well as numerous spiritual initiatives designed to build the faith and fraternal cohesion of the Order and the Church.
One of the main engines of charity is the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippine, Inc. (KCFAPI), which offers life insurance and other financial benefits to members. The association funds numerous charitable programs and promotes the sainthood causes of Father Willmann and Father McGivney. The ground floor chapel in the KCFAPI headquarters in Manila is dedicated to Father McGivney, and a statue of the venerable founder is enshrined beneath a cupola on the grounds outside the building. (Brian Caulfield)
