EDITORIAL
Columbia
High Standards DURING A VISIT HOME around the time I
was in graduate school, a copy of Columbia in my parents’ dining room caught my eye. I had seen Columbia countless times, since my father had been a Knight of Columbus for some 25 years, but this was the first time I recall picking it up and reading it. Impressed — and, dare I say, surprised — by the quality and relevance of several faith-related articles, I asked my dad, “This is the magazine you’ve been getting all this time? Is it always this good?” Within a couple short years, I not only joined the Knights myself but also moved to New Haven to work on Columbia’s editorial staff. Still, it would be several more years before I really came to appreciate Columbia’s rich history, dating back to its inaugural issue in August 1921 (see page 8). From its beginning, the magazine was an ambitious project, featuring a remarkable lineup of prominent and talented contributors. In those days, Supreme Knight James Flaherty was surely Columbia’s biggest fan. His column marking the fifth anniversary in 1926 gushes to a comical degree — yet it also rings true, for he was writing in the middle of the illustrious editorial tenure of Myles Connolly, who would go on to become a successful screenwriter, producer and author. “You, as members of the Order, are, perhaps, a little too close to Columbia to see clearly the important and authoritative position it holds,” Flaherty wrote. “It should be a source of pride to every Knight of Columbus.
PUBLISHER Knights of Columbus
… Columbia is like no other magazine. No other magazine is like Columbia. It accepts no other magazine as a standard of excellence by which to measure its own progress. Its contents are as wholesome as they are varied. Its wholesomeness is made of truth and strength and Catholic ideals.” Five years later, an editorial signed “Supreme Board of Directors” was a bit more modest: “The observance of our tenth birthday involves certain difficulties. The first and greatest is that we are in the position of a man who is giving a party in honor of himself. It can be done but it is not easily done with good grace. Whatever is said here, then, is not said with the intention of insinuating that, in ten years, Columbia has achieved perfection.” Columbia has undergone a series of evolutions over the past century and its effectiveness has varied, but certain things have not changed. The editorial staff remains committed to producing quality informative — and formative — articles. We also hope the magazine is a source of pride for Knights everywhere, even as we acknowledge that there is still much room for improvement. As we pause to commemorate this centennial milestone — as well as the recent installation of Patrick E. Kelly as the 14th supreme knight (see pages 3, 6) and the first feast day of Blessed Michael McGivney on Aug. 13 (see pages 4, 18) — we also look forward to developing creative and compelling Columbia content in the months ahead. B Alton J. Pelowski, Editor
Father Michael McGivney: An American Blessed This film, produced by the Knights of Columbus last fall, explores Blessed Michael McGivney’s life and legacy from his humble beginnings as the son of Irish immigrants to his founding of the Order in 1882. The 27-minute documentary highlights his witness of fraternal charity, and evangelization and empowerment of the laity; it also tells the story of the miracle that paved the way to his beatification Oct. 31, 2020. For more information about how to watch the documentary, visit kofc.org/beatification. 2
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SUPREME OFFICERS Patrick E. Kelly Supreme Knight Most Rev. William E. Lori, S.T.D. Supreme Chaplain Paul G. O’Sullivan Deputy Supreme Knight Patrick T. Mason Supreme Secretary Ronald F. Schwarz Supreme Treasurer John A. Marrella Supreme Advocate EDITORIAL Alton J. Pelowski Editor Andrew J. Matt Managing Editor Cecilia Hadley Senior Editor Margaret B. Kelly Associate Editor
Blessed Michael McGivney (1852-90) – Apostle to the Young, Protector of Christian Family Life and Founder of the Knights of Columbus, Intercede for Us. HOW TO REACH US COLUMBIA 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven, CT 06510-3326 columbia@kofc.org kofc.org/columbia Address changes 203-752-4210, option #3 addresschange@kofc.org Columbia inquiries 203-752-4398 K of C Customer Service 1-800-380-9995
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