Washington D.C., Aug 3, 2010 / 09:00 am
Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington D.C., encouraged the Knights of Columbus to promote the New Evangelization “in the midst of this much secularized world” as he delivered the homily today for the opening Mass of the 128th Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus in the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
The Mass, presided over by Archbishop Wuerl, was attended by eight cardinals, including Francis George, president of the USCCB; Jaime Ortega, Archbishop of Havana, Cuba; and Gaudencio Rosales of Manila, Philippines. Seventy-eight bishops and more than 200 priests also concelebrated at the Mass.
During his homily, Archbishop Wuerl recalled that Pope John Paul II “called the Church to a new evangelization. At the beginning of his pontificate more than 30 years ago, he encouraged Catholics with the words “do not be afraid.” “Pope Benedict XVI used the same words as he assumed his responsibilities five years ago in April 2005 at the beginning of his Petrine ministry, 'Do not be afraid!'”
“These words, taken from today’s Gospel, have become the staple of the new evangelization,” Archbishop Wuerl noted, adding that “Our Holy Father challenges us to experience Jesus personally and then to become heralds to others of that personal encounter with Jesus.”