My Knightly Vocation

When I was a young lad, around 10 years of age, I went with my father to the Kentucky Knights of Columbus state convention.  My dad was a district deputy and was heavily involved in the organization, thus he was asked to attend as part of his responsibilities.

I was the quintessential “knight’s kid.”  If I could go to a meeting or an event with my dad, I was there.  It gave us an opportunity to bond and gave me a chance to see my dad in a different light; to see his Catholic faith in action.  That included attending the state conventions.

It was at the convention I mentioned earlier when I decided I wanted to be a knight.

The state deputy at the time was a man named Phil Carr.  During the banquet, and because of his station, Carr was expected to make remarks. He focused much of his speech on what being a knight meant to him, and he said something that has always stuck with me.

“Being a knight,” Carr said, “is not just about being part of a club.  It is a way of life.”  His speech ended with calling my father to the stage and presenting him with the State Deputy’s Award.  At the time, dad was only the fourth Knight in the state’s history to receive the award.

That moment and the phrase Mr. Carr uttered has stuck with me all of my life.

Fast forward 25 years.  My dad has since passed away.  He died in January of 2001, just a few months before I became a member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the 4^thDegree. I’ve been a member ever since. I’ve not always been active or the best knight, and I’ve seen some rough times.  Even so, I’ve always remembered that moment from my childhood.

These days, I’m asked why I’m a knight?  The answer comes in two parts.  Firstly, because of my father.  It’s my way of always being connected with him and honoring his memory.  The other is my Brother and Sir Knights.  Many of these men have been knights far longer than I’ve been on this Earth.  I don’t say that to be cruel, I say it out of respect.  They were Catholic at a different time.  They were knights in a different time.  I want to learn all that I can from them because their knowledge is of great value to me and other young men who desire to be an active member of the Church.

Finally, and most importantly, they remind me of what it means to be a Catholic gentleman and a Catholic father, and that being a knight is my vocation.

To learn more, and if you're a Catholic man interested in joining, about the Knights of Columbus, click here.