STATES DINNER AND GAUDIUM ET SPES AWARD
PRESENTATION
STATES DINNER AND
GAUDIUM ET SPES AWARD PRESENTATION HONORING
HIS EMINENCE JAIME CARDINAL ORTEGA Y ALAMINO ARCHBISHOP OF HAVANA, CUBA
AUGUST 3, 2010 MARRIOTT BALLROOM MARRIOTT WARDMAN PARK HOTEL WASHINGTON, D.C.
128TH SUPREME CONVENTION
PROGRAM Procession of Dais Guests
National Anthems
Welcome Carl A. Anderson Supreme Knight Invocation His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. Archbishop of Chicago President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Greeting Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl Archbishop of Washington Award Citation Most Reverend William E. Lori Bishop of Bridgeport Supreme Chaplain Award Presentation Carl A. Anderson Supreme Knight Address His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Ortega y Alamino Archbishop of Havana, Cuba
Dinner & State Songs
Introduction of Dais Guests Donald R. Kehoe Supreme Secretary
Remarks Most Reverend Zygmunt Zimowski President, Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers
Most Reverend Pierre Morissette Bishop of Saint-Jérôme, Québec President, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales Archbishop of Manila, Philippines
Benediction Most Reverend William E. Lori Bishop of Bridgeport Supreme Chaplain
MENU
The Wardman Salad in a White Wine and Walnut Oil Vinaigrette
Filet Mignon and Maryland Lump Crab Cake
CrĂŠme Brulee with Apricot Schnapps Sauce and Caramelized Apricots
THE GAUDIUM ET SPES AWARD Established by the Knights of Columbus in 1992, the Gaudium et Spes Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to both the Catholic Church and to society. The award consists of a specially struck gold medal and an honorarium of $100,000. Mother Teresa of Calcutta was the first recipient. The Gaudium et Spes Award takes its inspiration, as well as its name, from the opening words of the Second Vatican Council’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. The Council Fathers describe the bond between the Church and mankind in these words:
T
he joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts. For theirs is a community composed of men. United in Christ, they are led by the Holy Spirit in their journey to the Kingdom of their Father and they have welcomed the news of salvation which is meant for every man. That is why this community realizes that it is truly linked with mankind and its history by the deepest of bonds. (December 7, 1965)
By placing the Church in solidarity with humanity in all its conditions, Gaudium et Spes reveals itself as the key document for the renewal of the Church today. As His Holiness Pope Paul VI stated at the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, the image of the Church in the modern world is that of the Good Samaritan — the selfless servant of the human person. The Knights of Columbus, in fidelity to the Order’s founding principles of Charity and Unity, has entered into this renewal through its charitable service to humanity, and its close communion with the Church and its pastors. By honoring the spiritual and humanitarian achievements of contemporary public figures through the Gaudium et Spes Award, it is the Order’s hope that all men and women will be inspired by the living example of the honorees to greater charity and service to their fellow man. We pray also that our members and their families, indeed all persons of goodwill, may, as the Council Fathers state in the conclusion to Gaudium et Spes, “be aroused to a lively hope — the gift of the Holy Spirit — that some day at last they will be caught up in peace and utter happiness in that fatherland radiant with the glory of the Lord” (93).
OBVERSE
REVERSE
The Gaudium et Spes Medal depicts in bas-relief the crucifix, designed by Lello Scorzelli, which crowns the top of the pastoral staff used by each pope since the close of the Second Vatican Council. It is shown on a background of the longitudinal and latitudinal lines of the globe. The reverse features a representation of the founder of the Knights of Columbus, Venerable Michael McGivney, comforting the widow and children of a deceased member. Shown with the emblem of the Order in the background, the image is based on the original statuary group sculpted by Stanley Bleifeld.
CNS photo/Paul Haring
HONOREE
HIS EMINENCE JAIME CARDINAL ORTEGA Y ALAMINO ARCHBISHOP OF HAVANA, CUBA
AWARD CITATION “The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.” These opening words of the Second Vatican Council’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World inspired the Knights of Columbus to inaugurate the Gaudium et Spes Award, the Order’s highest honor. We study these words carefully when choosing to bestow this award on an individual who has rendered outstanding service to the Church and to humanity in the name of Jesus Christ. A good shepherd, says Our Lord, is one who “lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). One way of doing this is to serve selflessly and without reserve the people whom God has entrusted to your care. Our honoree is a prime example of a good shepherd, one who has served his people faithfully and heroically for many years and who has taken into his own heart “the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties” of his flock. Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, it often has been true that the faith is more cherished when challenged. This has been the case with our Catholic brothers and sisters in Cuba, where the Church has continued to live and grow in a most challenging environment. This leader of the Church in Cuba has himself suffered for his faith, yet has remained a steadfast witness to Jesus Christ, continuing his apostolic ministry with courage and grace. Our honoree was born in Jaguey Grande, Matanzas, Cuba, in 1936. After studying at seminaries in Cuba and in Quebec, Canada, he was ordained a priest in 1964. Like a number of other priests throughout the years in Cuba, he was imprisoned for a period because of his faith. Appointed as the Bishop of Pinar del Rio, our honoree received episcopal consecration in 1979. He was appointed Archbishop of Havana, more formally known as the Archdiocese of San Cristobal de La Habana, in 1981 and was elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals in 1994.
L'Osservatore Romano Photo
Pope John Paul II embraces the newly created Cardinal Ortega after conferring the scarlet biretta during the consistory of November 26, 1994.
For nearly 30 years as archbishop, our honoree has guided the Cuban Church through often rough waters. But in January 1998, a new era of hope dawned when he welcomed Pope John Paul II to his country. During that apostolic visit, Pope John Paul II asked for Cuba to open itself to the world and for the world to become more open to Cuba, as he underscored the central place that the Catholic faith has played in the lives of the Cuban people. Our Gaudium et Spes Award honoree has helped to put Pope John Paul II’s sentiments into action. Recent years have seen periods of greater freedom for the Church in Cuba, and just in these past few months, our honoree has been involved in a delicate dialogue with the Cuban government that has resulted in the release of a significant number of political prisoners and improved conditions for others. He has courageously spoken out on a number of important issues, including religious freedom, justice for the poor and oppressed, his country’s economic problems, and the need for the government to change in accord with the demands of the people.
Looking forward to the future of the Church in his country, our honoree will soon be opening the new San Carlos y San Ambrosio National Seminary to prepare Cuban priests, a project for which the Knights of Columbus has provided crucial support.
L'Osservatore Romano Photo
The Knights of Columbus is honored to pay tribute to a fine and faithful shepherd of souls, and also to recognize the dedication and sacrifices of so many Cuban clergy and laity, by bestowing the eighth Gaudium et Spes Award upon His Eminence Jaime Lucas Cardinal Ortega y Alamino, Archbishop of Havana.
During his historic visit to Cuba, Pope John Paul II presents Cardinal Ortega with a message to the Cuban youth which the Pontiff read during the Papal Mass at Plaza Ignacio Agramonte in Camag端ey on January 23, 1998.
PAST HONOREES
Mother Teresa of Calcutta 1992
His Eminence John Cardinal O’Connor 1994
His Eminence James Cardinal Hickey 2000
His Eminence William Cardinal Baum 2001
His Beatitude Patriarch Michel Sabbah 2002
His Eminence Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, S.D.B. 2007
Jean Vanier 2005
SUPREME OFFICERS Carl A. Anderson Supreme Knight Bishop William E. Lori Supreme Chaplain
Dennis A. Savoie Deputy Supreme Knight
Donald R. Kehoe Supreme Secretary
Emilio B. Moure Supreme Treasurer
John A. Marrella Supreme Advocate
Meclea L. Casavant Supreme Warden
Virgil C. Dechant Past Supreme Knight
SUPREME DIRECTORS Edward J. Mullen Weston, Connecticut Alberto P. Solis Cotabato City, Philippines
Charles E. Maurer Jr. Richmond, Indiana John A. Harrison Jr. Clemmons, North Carolina
Dennis J. Stoddard Jacksonville, Florida
Frederick J. Abraham Jr. Vancouver, Washington
Thomas P. Smith Jr. Branford, Connecticut
John W. O’Reilly Jr. Lake Charles, Louisiana
Robert F. Cayea Windsor, Ontario
David A. Bellendier Marion, Iowa
John P. Wainscott Sandy, Utah
Yves Duceppe La Prairie, Québec
Ronald B. White Eldersburg, Maryland
Michael J. O’Connor Frackville, Pennsylvania
Logan T. Ludwig Bolingbrook, Illinois
Thomas M. Wegener Lansing, Michigan
Javier S. Martinez Missouri City, Texas
Reginald F. Beckett Haddon Heights, New Jersey
Daniel J. Baker Villa Rica, Georgia