First Hispanic Knights of Columbus chapter begins at St. Vincent de Paul
Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Daily Record photograph by David Frank Dempsey Ed Viera, left, grand Knight of the newly formed and Arkansas’ only Hispanic chapter of the Knights of Columbus, is shown with Knights of Columbus state Deputy Jim Neff after the chapter was announced at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Rogers on Sunday. The silver cross contains relics of six Knights of Columbus priests who were murdered by authorities for practicing Catholicism in Mexico during the early 20 th century. The six priests were canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000.
ROGERS - Sunday was a big event for St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, when the first spanish-speaking chapter of the Knights of Columbus in the state was officially chartered by state Deputy Jim Neff.
The organization, called the Knights of Columbus Mexican Martyrs, has its roots in the 1920 s, when the Mexican Revolution brought about the persecution of many Catholics.
Missionaries were expelled from the country, priests and laymen were asked to denounce their faith in public or face torture and death.
In 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized 25 victims of religious persecution, including six priests. A silver cross containing the relics of the six priest martyrs began a pilgrimage in 2005 to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Knights of Columbus in Mexico. It concluded in 2006 at the 124 th Supreme Convention, and was at St. Vincent de Paul on Sunday for the celebration.
"We have 36 members right now," said KOC charter Financial Secretary Adrian Dominguez.
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal service organization. Membership is open to all Catholic men 18 years of age or older who are practicing Catholics in union with the Holy See.
Ed Viera is the Grand Knight for the Rogers charter. "I'm pretty happy. I think this is going to affect so many more people in the long run," he said.
"I wouldn't be surprised if in a year, we had 100 members," Viera said. "This is going to provide Hispanic men an avenue to show they can be an asset to the community."
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
