06/09/2026
Knights of Columbus leaders from around the world have gathered in New Haven, Connecticut, for the annual Organizational Meeting of State Deputies, held June 4-7, to unite in prayer and prepare for the upcoming fraternal year.
On Friday morning, June 5, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly conferred medals of office on 33 newly elected state deputies at the conclusion of Mass at St. Mary’s Church, the birthplace of the Order. Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore was the principal celebrant, with more than 35 state chaplains concelebrating.
Following the installation, the supreme knight and supreme chaplain addressed the state deputies and chaplains during a luncheon, commending them for their accomplishments over the past year and outlining goals for the year ahead. Last year, the Order welcomed more than 101,000 new Knights — the most since the end of World War I, the supreme knight said.
“People often ask me … how are you doing that?” Supreme Knight Kelly said. “The answer, really, is that we’re meeting the moment that we’re in right now, in our culture, in our society. … We’re giving young men a sense of meaning and a sense of coherence and a sense of purpose.”
“This is a powerful moment for the Knights of Columbus,” the supreme knight continued. “We are uniquely positioned to help young men put their faith into action, together with their friends. I think the Lord is opening a door for us at this point, in our culture’s history and in the history of the Knights of Columbus, and now it’s our job to seize the moment and move forward together.”
Featured: Supreme Officers and state deputies gather outside St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., during the Organizational Meeting of State Deputies on June 5. (Photo by Paul Haring)
