Our knighthood is not the same by virtue of the times we live in, or the way in which we act upon our virtuous and heroic nature. But the simple fact is, what guides us as Catholic Men in our sacred charge as knights has the same underlying principles that the knights of old lived their lives by.

One of those charges is to be the voice for the voiceless, and a protector of virtue and chivalry. Our thoughts, words, and actions should be true to that nature, and we should challenge one another to maintain that charge and live it to the fullest.

One of our brother Knights is leading that exemplification of being a voice for the voiceless, and also standing proud in our tradition of protecting the tenants of our faith.

Sir Knight Kevin Decker

Sir Knight Kevin Decker is a member of Commandery 239 of the Michigan Grand. Under the guidance of his leadership, Dale Gossiaux, Doug Halleaux, and Anthony Ryan – Sir Knight Decker is a model of virtue and heroism.

Approximately every two weeks, St. Stephen’s parish, headed by Fr. John a Franciscan priest in New Boston, celebrates a Holy Hour with the Blessed Sacrament across the street from an abortion clinic in Westland.

Adding his voice to the prayers of the faithful, SK Decker joined the procession to the clinic, adding to the solemn occasion by donning his uniform, and acting as an honor guard for the Blessed Sacrament, and the faithful present to offer their prayers for the unborn.

Fr. John blesses the faithful and prayers for the unborn with parishioners of St. Stephens in front of the Westland Abortion Clinic. Photo by SK Decker.

 

Fortitude and Heroism

SK Decker shared this with me of his experience:

“Stand out in the cold, be uncomfortable, gen on your knee’s in humility, humbleness, charity, love, and show reverence to the Blessed Sacrament of Christ our King in your Catholic military knightly uniform, (Knights of St. John, Ann Arbor Commandery) and pray for all the souls of the unborn babies at the Westland abortion clinic, pray for all the souls within the clinic and the world. Be the Lion and the Lamb, be courageous in carrying the cross in any store, you re God’s human faculty of “Thy will be done.”

Remember, standing before the Blessed Sacrament isn’t a sanctuary retreat from the world, but instead how the world retreats from the eternal truth, that’s why it is called a retreat”. Amen. I only got pelted barely with one bottle of water today from a mad passerby driving on Ford Rd.

Thank you brother Decker – for providing a voice for the innocence, and for setting an example of virtue and fortitude for our brothers around the world.

May our prayers rise up together and our actions speak louder than our words, that the unborn have a voice.

A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more. -Matthew 2:18

Pope Benedict’s Prayer for the Unborn

Lord Jesus,
You who faithfully visit and fulfill with your Presence
the Church and the history of men;
You who in the miraculous Sacrament of your Body and Blood
render us participants in divine Life
and allow us a foretaste of the joy of eternal Life;
We adore and bless you.

Prostrated before You, source and lover of Life,
truly present and alive among us, we beg you.

Reawaken in us respect for every unborn life,
make us capable of seeing in the fruit of the maternal womb
the miraculous work of the Creator,
open our hearts to generously welcoming every child
that comes into life.

Bless all families,
sanctify the union of spouses,
render fruitful their love.

Accompany the choices of legislative assemblies
with the light of your Spirit,
so that peoples and nations may recognize and respect
the sacred nature of life, of every human life.

Guide the work of scientists and doctors,
so that all progress contributes to the integral well-being of the person,
and no one endures suppression or injustice.

Give creative charity to administrators and economists,
so they may realize and promote sufficient conditions
so that young families can serenely embrace
the birth of new children.

Console the married couples who suffer
because they are unable to have children
and in Your goodness provide for them.

Teach us all to care for orphaned or abandoned children,
so they may experience the warmth of your Charity,
the consolation of your divine Heart.

Together with Mary, Your Mother, the great believer,
in whose womb you took on our human nature,
we wait to receive from You, our Only True Good and Savior,
the strength to love and serve life,
in anticipation of living forever in You,
in communion with the Blessed Trinity.

 

Featured image used with creative commons attribution license.