Dear Brother Knights and Families:

As we continue our journey through this Lenten season, we remember the life and times of St. Patrick of Ireland. St. Patrick was born in approximately 387 in Roman Britain (Britannia). His father was a Roman government official and a deacon in the early Church (by the year 313, Christianity had been recognized by the Roman government.) However, by his own account young Patrick was not active in his faith nor an active believer. At age 16 he was captured by Irish pirates and enslaved and performed laborious activities for them. According to his memoir, The Confession (written around 450), the time he spent in captivity was critical to his spiritual development. He explained that the Lord had mercy on his youth and ignorance, and afforded him the opportunity to be forgiven of his sins and converted to Christianity. While in captivity, St. Patrick worked as a shepherd and strengthened his relationship with God through prayer eventually leading him to convert to Christianity. After a harrowing experience, he made his escape and returned home. He continued his studies in Christianity in Europe and in approximately 431, Pope St. Celestine I consecrated St. Patrick Bishop of the Irish, and sent him to Ireland to spread the gospel to nonbelievers while also providing support to the small community of Christians already living there. St. Patrick was credited with ordaining priests to lead the new Christian communities, convert wealthy women, some of whom became nuns in the face of their families’ opposition. He also dealt with and converted the sons of kings. St. Patrick died on March 17, 461 (the date on which we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day). Apparently, in Christianity’s early years, canonizations were done on the diocesan level. Thus, as was a practice, soon after the death of one considered very holy, the local Church affirmed that they could be liturgically celebrated as saints. As a result, St. Patrick was never formally canonized by a Pope. Despite this canonic technicality, various churches have declared him a saint in heaven and is still venerated in Ireland and elsewhere around the globe.

What we learn from St. Patrick is that in the face of terrible adversity and leading a life of sin, there is redemption. It starts with accepting Christ in our own life by turning away from sin. During this Lenten season we are encouraged and inspired by St. Patrick’s story.

On another interesting and most ironic historical note, Emperor Tiberius Claudius Nero (14 AD – 37 AD), who was the sitting emperor during the time of Christ’s crucifixion, died on approximately March 16, 37 (one calendar day before the death of St. Patrick 424 years later). Tiberius’s death occurred during a season that would later become known as Lent. It is no secret that the lives of many Roman Emperors were plagued with scandal, corruption, and turmoil. It has been rumored through scholarly debate that Tiberius was murdered by being smothered to death on orders from Caligula (the only surviving heir to the emperor’s throne.)

By contrast, we celebrate the inspiring life of St. Patrick who leaves us with a lasting positive mark on humanity. Come and celebrate St. Patrick’s day with us at Newman Center, on March 12, 2016. See our Council’s calendar for more details.

Vivat Jesus!
Lewis Muñoz
Grand Knight, Council 953

Worthy Brother Knights and Families:

February marks the kick-off to the Lenten Season as we continue our Works of Mercy during this Columbian year. In this manner, one may ask are Lenten sacrifices kindred to Works of Mercy?

Lent is the penitential season in our Catholic faith marked by prayer, fasting and abstinence, and almsgiving. (www.catholicisim.about.com) Mercy, is said to be a virtue influencing one’s will to have compassion for, and, if possible, to alleviate another’s misfortune. It is the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas that although mercy is as it were the spontaneous product of charity, yet it is to be reckoned a special virtue adequately distinguishable from this latter. In fact the Scholastics in cataloguing it consider it to be referable to the quality of justice mainly because, like justice, it controls relations between distinct persons. (www.newadvent.org; Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy.)

The Holy Father indicated in his Lenten Message for 2016 (Papal Lenten Message 2016), that Lent and Mercy indeed go hand-in-hand: “In the Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, I asked that ‘the season of Lent in this Jubilee Year be lived more intensity as a privileged moment to celebrate and experienced God’s mercy.” (Ibid.) Pope Francis goes on to conclude that “For all of us, then the season of Lent in this Jubilee Year is a favorable time to overcome our existential alienation by listening to God’s word and by practicing the works of mercy.” (Ibid.)

A great example of Works of Mercy during this Lenten Season is the work of Fr. Gregory Boyle, S.J. Fr. Boyle started an organization named “Homeboy Industries,” a place were former gang members can reinvent themselves, learn life skills, honest work, and know God’s love and mercy that they never knew before. Fr. Boyle’s story is extremely inspiring and I highly recommend his book “Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion.” The stories are heart wrenching and thought provoking. What I find most inspirational about Fr. Boyle is that he is a well-educated man who could have done anything with this life, but found his calling to administer to our youth. You can visit the website at www.homeboyindustries.org.

We have more dinners slated for the remainder of our Columbian year that will benefit many of our charities (e.g., Cristo Rey High School, Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home, Sacramento Life Center, Loaves & Fishes, Clara’s House, to name a few). I encourage you all to promote and attend our dinners, volunteer at our events, and make this a very spiritual rewarding Lenten Season.

Lewis Muñoz
Grand Knight, Council 953

Dearest Brother Knights and Knight Families:

On Christmas morning, 1914, German soldiers were heard singing Christmas carols from their trenches, and soon British and French troops from the opposing side joined in. It was the Christmas Truce of 1914. Nearly 101 years ago, the respect and reverence for the coming of our Savior was ever so engrained in Christian nations that Christ, even centuries after his death, was able to bring a cease-fire to World War I, however brief.

Christ’s coming into the world brings a message of hope and joy. Yet, while negative images of hate and violence permeate our social media, we must pause and remember that Christmas is God’s gift to mankind of hope, joy, but above all . . . peace. Since 1914, a Christmas truce in these uncertain times might seem unthinkable, but we have faith that Jesus Christ, humanity’s Prince of Peace, will deliver on his promise to bring peace to this Earth.

“. . . It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time.
On this platform of peace, we can create a language
To translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other.

At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ
Into the great religions of the world.
We jubilate the precious advent of trust.
We shout with glorious tongues at the coming of hope.
All the earth’s tribes loosen their voices
To celebrate the promise of Peace.

We, Angels and Mortal’s, Believers and Non-Believers,
Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation.

Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul.”

– Maya Angelou

During 2015, I am pleased to report that our Council and its individual members donated funds to, among other organizations, the Ukrainian Relief Fund to help people effected by the Ukrainian-Russian Conflict, and to Christians-At-Risk to help our fellow Christians being killed in the Middle East (with a dollar-for-dollar match by our Supreme Council). In giving to these organizations, we seek to bring peace and alleviate the sufferings of people victimized by the violence in that part of the world. I am proud of you all for your support in these endeavors.

Please remember to pray for peace during this Christmas season. May all of my Brother Knights and their families have a very Merry Christmas.

Vivat Jesus!
Lewis F. Munoz
Grand Knight, Council 953