Chalice presentation for Sir Knight Father William E Sanchez
The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization, gives chalices in the name of deceased Fourth Degree members as part of their Chalice Program, a tradition rooted in honoring the memory of departed Sir Knights and supporting the Catholic Church’s mission. When a Fourth Degree Knight (a member of the highest degree of the order) passes away, a chalice, often gold-plated and engraved with the deceased Knight’s name and sometimes their life dates, is presented to a priest, bishop, or parish, typically one chosen by the family or the assembly. The chalice is used during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, ensuring that the deceased Knight is remembered in prayers each time the chalice is used, often with an inscription like “In Your Charity, Please Pray for Sir Knight [Name].”
Chalice presentation slideshow
This practice began in 1948 with the Cardinal Glennon Assembly #567 in Bloomsdale, Missouri, initiated by Reverend Ralph Kutz and supported by Reverend Joseph Little. It was proposed as a way to honor deceased Fourth Degree Knights by inscribing their names on chalices and sending them to mission fields or priests in need, perpetuating their memory through the liturgy. The program has since become a widespread tradition among Fourth Degree Assemblies, with chalices distributed globally to places like Mexico, Fiji, Poland, Ukraine, and the Philippines.
The Chalice Program aligns with the Knights’ core principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism, reflecting their commitment to faith and brotherhood. It provides a lasting tribute, offering comfort to the families of deceased Knights by ensuring their loved ones are remembered in the sacred context of the Mass. Some assemblies fund the program through member dues, and the presentation may occur during a memorial service or funeral Mass, often accompanied by an honor guard, reinforcing the solemnity of the gesture.
In the pictures the Santa Fe Assembly 685 honors the deceased Fourth-Degree member Sir Knight Father William E Sanchez by donating a engraved chalice in his name. And for his 31 years of knighthood on this one year anniversary of his passing. The chalice will be used in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, where the departed Sir Knight is remembered in the Eucharist.
The Santa Fe Assembly 685 of the Knights of Columbus carries on a meaningful Chalice Program dedicated to honoring the memory of deceased Fourth-Degree Sir Knights while supporting the worship of the Catholic Church. When a Sir Knight passes away, a chalice is donated in his name and engraved with his name, often including the inscription, “In your charity, please pray for Sir Knight ___.”
The chalice will be used at St John the Baptist Catholic Church in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, where the departed Sir Knight Father William E Sanchez will be remembered in prayer and spiritually united to the offering of the daily Eucharist.
