The Knights of Columbus Youth Centers in Rome

The Knights of Columbus Youth Centers in Rome An 80th Anniversary History n March 29, 1882, Father Michael J. McGivney announced to the officers and members of the new Catholic fraternal order he founded that the Connecticut General Assembly had officially chartered the new society. Shortly Othereafter the founder wrote to the pastors of all parishes in Connecticut encouraging them to establish a Knights of Columbus Council for the Catholic men under their care. As shepherd of the new organization’s development, Father McGivney must have been gratified to know that, by June 1889, seven years after the founding, more than 5,000 members were enrolled in 51 councils. By 1905 the Order had grown at such a rapid pace that it could be found in every state of the Union, in Canada, in Mexico and in the Philippines. Evidence of the impact the Order could have as it devel- oped was given in 1904 when the Order presented to The Catholic University of America a check for more than $50,000. The Order had been approached to raise this significant amount of money so that the University could establish a chair in Church History to prepare well educated defenders of the faith at a time when the Catholic religion was subject to bigotry and attacks on its beliefs. Fortified by its founding principles of unity and charity, to which fraternity and patriotism were later added, the Order entered the World War I era by enthusiastically answering the call to provide spiritual, material and recreational support to the armed forces serving at home and abroad. Under the ban- ner “Everybody Welcome – Everything Free,” centers were established in major staging areas in the United States, and also at disembarkation points abroad, so that the troops would have Members of the Third Division in Audernach, Germany, outside the Knights of Columbus clubhouse the comfort of knowing that their sacrifice of service was both supported and appreciated. As the allied armies moved across the borders of Germany and Belgium, the recreation centers expanded accordingly. With many soldiers passing through Great Britain, operations were enlarged there as well as in Ireland. However, France remained the major zone of operations, with facilities in most large cities. Subsequently centers were opened in Rome, and in Venice and Spoleto in Italy. 2. Supreme Knight Flaherty and Knights in Strasbourg, France As a result of the war work in France, a warm relation- ship between that country and the Order was firmly established. It was thus that, in the aftermath of the war, in 1920, a delegation of 235 Knights, led by Supreme Knight James Flaherty traveled to France visiting sites where Knights of Columbus camp sites had been established, and accepting the gratitude of the French people for all of the assistance provid- ed. It was only natural that following their visits throughout France, the pilgrims would journey to Rome. On August 28, 1920, the Knights were received in private audience in the Consistory Hall by His Holiness Pope Benedict XV. 3. His Holiness Benedict XV receives the Knights of Columbus delegation in 1920. The Holy Father welcomed the Knights with sentiments of “sweet comfort and good hope.” He praised them for their support of The Catholic University of America; their assistance to the Bishops; and their charitable work during the war. Finally, perhaps aware of Father McGivney’s concern for the spiritual and moral welfare of youths, the pope asked the Knights to go forward and expand their work to Rome in order to help counter attacks on their faith being faced by many young people. He explained: “An old principle teaches that good spreads itself, and it is not surprising therefore, that, while still doing so much fruit- ful work in their beloved country, the Knights of Columbus have thought of extending their action to Italy, too, and in a spe- cial manner to this city of Rome, dear above all cities to Our hearts. 4. “We welcome you, Knights of Columbus to the Holy City. For indeed here, under Our very eyes, a shameful propaganda is trying to rob Our children nearest to Us of the most precious heritage left them by their forefathers, the Catholic faith. There is a very network of endeavor to that shameful end. They are trying to attract our young men who are so inclined to the pleasure of sport into associations which, while they give facilities for satisfying that inclination, tend to make insidious attacks in the hearts of the young men on the sacred treasure of Catholic principles. They relieve material distress and at the same moment steal a patrimony of inestimable value, the patrimony of the faith. “You, noble Knights of Columbus, are not ignorant of the work of propaganda of which We speak, and We glory in the hope that in conformity with the aims of your Association, you will set your good propaganda here in Rome too against the wicked propaganda, which to Our sorrow We see so widely spread in this dear city. There is another field of competition before you, May the struggle bring you as much merit as it brings Us hope.” At the October Board meeting in 1920 the Holy Father’s plea was discussed, and Flaherty reinforced the Holy Father’s wish that the Knights take up this work. Past Supreme Knight Edward L. Hearn, serving as the Order’s post war Commissioner, was delegated to assess what need- ed to be done, and how best to go about it. Also discussed was the matter of funding the pro- posed work. Pope Benedict XV 5. The form the work was to take was the establishment of playgrounds for the benefit of the youth in Rome. In keeping with the recent tradition of aid to the servicemen, the children would be welcome at the Knights of Columbus facilities with- out charge. Arrangements for the use of the fields would be made through Rome’s parishes. In 1922 Pope Benedict XV was succeeded by Pius XI, who expressed enthusiastic approval of the new work. At an audience on May 14, 1922, His Holiness further endorsed the project by donating the site for St. Peter’s Oratory where, he said, “I can see for myself from my study win- dow what progress they are making here in the heart of Rome.” He said the Knights of Columbus presence was Pope Pius XI “very fitting.... for it is no less important than any other level of relief work.” A letter from Supreme Secretary William J. McGinley to Hearn dated June 29, 1922, best describes the procedures that were followed in establishing the Knights of Columbus Italian Welfare Fund, the entity that supports the program down to this day: “…the Supreme Council by unanimous vote authorized the Board of Directors to raise an Endowment Fund of One Million Dollars by levying an assessment of twenty-five cents semi-annually upon the membership or the Order until the million dollars was raised.” 6. Architect Enrico P. Galeazzi explains plans on-site to Past Supreme Knight Edward L. Hearn, Msgr. Borgongini-Duca and Msgr. Caccia Dominioni With the fund approved, Hearn opened a Knights of Columbus Rome office at Via delle Muratte, 25 in April 1922. In the July Columbia of 1922 Hearn reported on an audience with Pius XI. He informed His Holiness that, besides serving as head- quarters for the welfare activities, the office would offer recep- tion facilities and guides for English-speaking pilgrims, especial- ly the scores of American prelates and lay persons who would visit Rome for the great Eucharistic Congress during the last week of May. 7. Between 1922 and 1927, during Supreme Knight Flaherty’s term of office, the Knights of Columbus opened five athletic centers in Rome under the careful guidance of architect and engineer, later Count, Enrico Pietro Galeazzi, who also assisted in the com- plex legal negotiations for the purchase or lease and operations of the playgrounds. Count Enrico Pietro Galeazzi (1930’s photo) Count Galeazzi designed each athletic center in harmo- ny with the natural environment and the architectural style of the neighborhood within which it was located, giving each a unique character. Every facility had a club house with shower, gymnastic facilities and soccer fields. Some had basketball, vol- leyball courts and tennis courts as well. Qualified instructors led the children in their games. Senior citizens were also welcome to use the bocce courts. In 1923, St. Peter’s Oratory, named by Pius XI himself, was the first facility to begin its activities. It was constructed on a historical site, the center of the Circus of Nero and, therefore, the place where many early Christians suffered martyrdom for the faith. To make room for the new structures, some buildings dating back to the time of Pope Innocent VIII were demolished, among which was a foundry that had been in use for centuries. The coat of arms of Pope Innocent VIII, who was reigning when Christopher Columbus discovered America, was found and pre- 8. Construction begins served. This relic was saved to be used later as an adornment. Also found there was the wooden model of the world- renowned statue of St. Peter venerated in St. Peter’s Basilica. The refurbished statue is displayed today in the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven. Among the buildings saved was the Church of San Salvatore in Ossibus, dating back to 750 A.D. The church – an historical and artistic monument – was completely restored by the Knights of Columbus and used as the chapel for the boys’ wing of the new Oratory St.

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