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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

“I am the Resurrection and the Life:

whoever believes in Me, though he should die,

will come to life…”

(JN 11:25-26)

IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER

One of the most important ways the Knights of Columbus support each other is through prayer,
especially at the time of death. Brother Knights demonstrate their fraternity in exemplary measure
when they pray for the soul of a departed Knight and console the members of his family. In this regard,
the Knights have continued the venerable tradition of praying the Rosary during the wake of a departed
brother. In order to facilitate this important prayer, a Knights of Columbus Memorial Service has been
developed for use throughout the Order. All councils and assemblies are urged to use this service as
they pray at the wakes of the faithful departed.

DEVOTION TO OUR LADY

In keeping with the spirit of our founder, Father Michael J. McGivney, and our namesake, Christopher
Columbus, the Knights of Columbus encourages devotion to Our Lady as a way of becoming closer to
Christ. It is most fitting, therefore, that the Rosary of Our Lady should be prayed at the wake of a
departed brother Knight. Prayer of the Rosary assures family members that Mary, the Mother of the
Church, will guide the soul of the departed brother to her Son, and help strengthen the fraternal bonds
of charity that exist between living brother Knights and their families.
 THIRD AND FOURTH DEGREE

The Knights of Columbus Memorial Service has been designed for use at the wakes of members of
both the Third and Fourth Degrees. It is understood, however, that the traditions of assemblies may
differ from those of councils, specifically in the presence of an honour guard and the presentation of a
chalice. Nevertheless, the Rosary should be prayed at the wake of every brother Knight (family and
pastor permitting). For a member of the Fourth Degree, it is desirable that councils and assemblies
work together so that one jointly sponsored prayer service is offered instead of two separate ones.

Procedure For Memorial Service

Following the death of a brother Knight, the members of his local council or assembly should proceed
in the following manner for his wake:
1) Notification of Death
When any member of a council or assembly becomes aware of a brother Knight’s death, he should
immediately inform the Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator or officer deputized to arrange assembly
participation at wakes. If possible, information concerning the brother's death, surviving family, wake
hours, place and time of the funeral and burial should be provided.
2) Contact the Family of the Deceased
The Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator or deputized officer should contact the family of the deceased,
either by phone or in person. Knights in contact with family members should express not only profound
sympathy, but also demonstrate a willingness to assist the family in its temporal and emotional needs.
Certain families may need transportation to the wake or funeral, babysitting or house-sitting services,
help with shopping, cooking or cleaning, or simply a receptive ear to the cries of grief. Members of the
family should be asked if they would like the Knights of Columbus to lead the Rosary during the wake
of the departed Knight. While tentative plans may be made, the time of the Knight’s service should not
be firmly established until discussed with the pastor of the church where the Mass of Christian Burial
will take place.
3) Contact the Pastor
The Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator or deputized officer should contact the pastor of the church
where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. He should inform him of the council's or
assembly’s desire and the family’s willingness to hold a Knights of Columbus Memorial Service for the
deceased. So that council or assembly activities will not inconvenience the pastor’s plans for the
Church’s formal Vigil for the Deceased, a time for the Knights’ service should be established at the
pastor’s convenience. The pastor may desire to participate in the Knights of Columbus service,
incorporate the Knights’ ceremony into the Church’s formal Vigil for the Deceased, or allow the
council or assembly to hold its service independently. Over time, a regular agreement may be
established with the pastor as to the time and format of memorial services under his jurisdiction.
Council's or assembies should be aware that while most wakes occur within funeral homes, some are
held within a parish church (particularly those of priests and deacons).
Important note: The universal Church prescribes a wake service that is usually conducted by a priest or
deacon. Prayers offered by Knights of Columbus members during wake services are in no way intended
to interfere with or replace the normative Vigil for the Deceased prescribed by the Church, nor local
diocesan customs. If a pastor objects to a wake service sponsored by the Knights, then members of the
assembly should attend the wake and pray privately.
4) Contact the Funeral Director
Many funeral directors do not allow services to be held on their premises unless they are informed of
the time and length of the ceremony. The Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator or deputized officer should
coordinate with the funeral director as to the starting time of the Knights’ service and the estimated
length of 15-20 minutes. Funeral directors are often helpful in assembling the guests for the
commencement of the memorial service.
5) Assembling the Brothers
Once a time for the Knights’ service has been established, the Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator or
deputized officer should contact as many brother Knights as possible, asking for attendance at a
Knights of Columbus memorial service. A substantial group should try to gather at a set time. If
contacted members of the council cannot attend the wake at the prescribed time, they should be
encouraged to attend the wake, funeral or burial individually. If the departed brother belonged to an
assembly, an honor guard should be present at the wake according to local customs.
6) Selecting Roles
If the pastor of the local parish plans to participate in the Knights of Columbus Memorial Service, he
should act as presider. If the council or assembly chaplain plans to be present, he should act as presider
unless the pastor is present and wishes to preside. If neither the local pastor nor the assembly chaplain
plans to participate, one council member needs to be selected as the presider. However, if any priest or
deacon is present during the memorial service, the role of presider should be given to him. In addition,
five brothers need to be selected as leaders who will announce and lead each decade of the Rosary. If
less than five brothers are in attendance, then one brother will have to lead two or more decades (see
Appendices I & II for the Mysteries and proper days of the Rosary).
7) Memorial Service Materials
Rosaries and Rosary cards are available to councils or assembly for use at memorial services. Members
of the council or assembly should keep in mind that some family members may wish to keep these as a
remembrance of the Knights’ participation during the wake. The Knights of Columbus Memorial
Service booklet should remain with the council or assembly for use by brothers involved in the
planning and implementation of the memorial service.
8) Presentations
a) Resolutions: It remains a laudable custom that the councils or assemblies read and presents an
official Resolution of Condolence at the conclusion of the memorial service. Certificates of
these resolutions (both Third and Fourth Degree) are available from the Supreme Council
Supply Department. If certificates are not available at the time of the wake, the text of the
resolutions should be read to the family (see Appendix III for the texts of the resolutions).
b) Chalice: If a departed brother belonged to an assembly participating in a chalice program, the
presentation of the chalice should be made at the conclusion of the memorial service, or if the
chalice is not available at that time then a special presentation should be arranged.
9) November Memorial Service
In addition to its use at wakes, councils and assemblies are encouraged to use the Knights of Columbus
Memorial Service during their annual memorial service held each November for all departed Sir
Knights and their families.
 MEMORIAL SERVICE

AT THE WAKE OF A

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
After the guests are assembled, the Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator begins the memorial service. If he
is not present, another officer or the selected presider begins:
GRAND KNIGHT, FAITHFUL NAVIGATOR OR PRESIDER: Dear friends, shortly before his
own Passion, Our Lord Jesus wept tears with Mary and Martha upon the death of Lazarus. In the midst
of this sorrow, he told Martha: “I am the Resurrection and the Life: whoever believes in Me, though he
should die, will come to life” (Jn 11:25-26). Jesus raised Lazarus from the tomb to teach us that death is
not the end for those who believe, but rather a glorious beginning. Upon leaving this world, the
faithfully departed begin their journey toward a heavenly dwelling place, prepared for them by Christ
who rose from the dead (cf., Jn 14:4-3). The passing away of our earthly life, therefore, is a transition
to a new life in which “every tear is wiped from our faces” (cf., Is 25:8) and sickness, pain and
suffering are no more.
Every Knight of Columbus is entrusted to the care of Mary, the Mother of God. We carry the Rosary as
the sign of our dedication to her and to her Son. Confident in her motherly love for us all, we entrust
the soul of our brother (Name) to her, that she may present him to her Son. As an expression of our
fraternal concern, let us pray together the rosary of Our Lady.
The introduction having been made,
the presider begins:
PRESIDER: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
ALL: Amen
The presider leads the people
in the recitation of the Creed:
ALL: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His Only
Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius
Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the
dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence
He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church,
the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
Amen.
The presider leads the people
in praying the Our Father:
PRESIDER: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be
done, on earth as it is in heaven.
The people respond:
ALL: Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass
against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
 The presider leads the people in praying
the Hail Mary three times:
PRESIDER: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and
blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
ALL: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen (Repeat
three times.)
The presider leads the people in
praying the Glory be:
PRESIDER: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
ALL: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The presider continues:
PRESIDER: The Five (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious or Luminous) Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary,
offered for the repose of the soul of our brother (Name).
FIRST LEADER: The First (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious or Luminous) Mystery, the (Announce
Mystery).
The first leader and people pray
the Our Father once:
FIRST LEADER: Our Father…
ALL: Gives us this day…
The first leader and people pray
the Hail Mary 10 times:
FIRST LEADER: Hail Mary…
ALL: Holy Mary…
The first leader and people pray
the Glory be once:
FIRST LEADER: Glory be…
ALL: As it was in the beginning…
The Fatima Prayer (optional) may be prayed
by all after the Glory be:
ALL: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls into heaven,
especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
SECOND LEADER: The Second (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious or Luminous) Mystery, the (Announce
Mystery).
The second leader and people pray
the Our Father once:
SECOND LEADER: Our Father…
ALL: Gives us this day…
The second leader and people pray
the Hail Mary 10 times:
SECOND LEADER: Hail Mary…
ALL: Holy Mary…
The second leader and people pray
the Glory be once:
SECOND LEADER: Glory be…
ALL: As it was in the beginning…
The Fatima Prayer (optional) may be prayed
by all after the Glory be:
ALL: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls into heaven,
especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
THIRD LEADER: The Third (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious or Luminous) Mystery, the (Announce
Mystery).
The third leader and people pray
the Our Father once:
THIRD LEADER: Our Father…
ALL: Gives us this day…
The third leader and people pray
the Hail Mary 10 times:
THIRD LEADER: Hail Mary…
ALL: Holy Mary…
The third leader and people pray
the Glory be once:
THIRD LEADER: Glory be…
ALL: As it was in the beginning…
The Fatima Prayer (optional) may be prayed
by all after the Glory be:
ALL: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls into heaven,
especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
FOURTH LEADER: The Fourth (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious or Luminous) Mystery, the (Announce
Mystery).
The fourth leader and people pray
the Our Father once:
FOURTH LEADER: Our Father…
ALL: Gives us this day…
The fourth leader and people pray
the Hail Mary 10 times:
FOURTH LEADER: Hail Mary…
ALL: Holy Mary…
The fourth leader and people pray
the Glory be once:
FOURTH LEADER: Glory be…
ALL: As it was in the beginning…
The Fatima Prayer (optional) may be prayed
by all after the Glory be:
ALL: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls into heaven,
especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
FIFTH LEADER: The Fifth (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious or Luminous) Mystery, the (Announce
Mystery).The fifth leader and people pray
the Our Father once:
FIFTH LEADER: Our Father…
ALL: Gives us this day…
The fifth leader and people pray
the Hail Mary 10 times:
FIFTH LEADER: Hail Mary…
ALL: Holy Mary…
The fifth leader and people pray
the Glory be once:
FIFTH LEADER: Glory be…
ALL: As it was in the beginning…
The Fatima Prayer (optional) may be prayed
by all after the Glory be:
ALL: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls into heaven,
especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
The decades having been completed, the presider leads
the people in praying the Hail, Holy Queen:
PRESIDER: Hail Holy Queen…
ALL: …Mother of Mercy! Hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor
banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of
tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this, our exile, show
unto us the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary.
PRESIDER: Queen of the Most Holy Rosary pray for us…
ALL: …that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
PRESIDER: Let us pray…
ALL: O God, whose only Begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the
rewards of everlasting life, pray, we beseech Thee, that meditating on these mysteries of the Most Holy
Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise,
through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRESIDER: May the Divine assistance remain always with us…
ALL: …and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
PRESIDER: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
ALL: Amen.
Or, if the presider is a bishop or priest:
+ May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
ALL: Amen.
GRAND KNIGHT, FAITHFUL NAVIGATOR OR PRESIDER: Mary, Mother of Jesus and our
Mother, we present to you the soul of our brother (Name) that you may lead him into the presence of
your Son. We look forward to the day when we will all join (Name) in that heavenly kingdom, where
your Son lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
The Faithful Navigator or presider now reads
and presents the Resolution of Condolence
(see Appendix III if certificate is not available).
If the departed Sir Knight belonged to an
assembly participating in a chalice program, the
chalice, if available, should be presented once the
Resolution of Condolence has been read and presented.
If a religious gift is to be given to the family,
the presentation should be made at this time.
APPENDIX I
The Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary
JOYFUL
The Annunciation (The Archangel Gabriel appears to Mary)
The Visitation (Mary visits her cousin, Elizabeth)
The Nativity (Jesus is born in Bethlehem)
The Presentation (Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem)
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (The boy Jesus is found among the doctors in the Temple)
SORROWFUL
The Agony in the Garden (Jesus suffers on the Mount of Olives)
The Scourging at the Pillar (Jesus is scourged for our sins)
The Crowning with Thorns (Jesus receives a crown of thorns)
The Carrying of the Cross (Jesus carries the cross through the streets of Jerusalem)
GLORIOUS
The Resurrection (Jesus rises from the tomb on the third day)
The Ascension (Jesus ascends to the Father)
The Descent of the Holy Spirit (The Holy Spirit descends upon Mary and the Apostles)
The Assumption (Mary is assumed Body and Soul into Heaven)
The Crowning (Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth)

LUMINOUS
The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
Manifestation of Jesus at the Wedding at Cana
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
The Transfiguration of Jesus
Institution of the Eucharist
APPENDIX II
Proper Days for Praying the Mysteries of the Rosary
Sundays from Advent to Lent………...Joyful
Sundays in Lent……………….…..Sorrowful
Sundays from Easter to Advent…….Glorious
Mondays………………………………Joyful
Tuesdays……………………….….Sorrowful
Wednesdays………………………...Glorious
Thursdays………………………….Luminous
Fridays……………………………..Sorrowful
Saturdays……………………………....Joyful

APPENDIX III
 Resolution of Condolence
(for a Third Degree member)
Begin reading here
Knights of Columbus
Archbishop Neale Council, No. 2279
Resolution of Condolence
In Memory of Sir Knight (Name)
Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom, to call from our midst our beloved
Brother who departed from this life (Date of death); and
Whereas, By his death, our Council has sustained the loss of an exemplary Catholic and worthy Knight;
therefore, be it
Resolved, That while we bow in submission to the will of our Heavenly Father, we mourn the loss of
our Brother who has been taken from us; and be it
Further resolved, That this testimonial of condolence be offered to the family of our departed Brother
Knight as an expression of our heartfelt sympathy.

Resolution of Condolence
(for a Fourth Degree member)
Begin reading here
Knights of Columbus
(Assembly name) Assembly
Resolution of Condolence
In Memory of Sir Knight (Name)
Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom, to call from our midst our beloved
Brother who departed from this life (Date of death); and
Whereas, By his death, our Assembly has sustained the loss of an exemplary Catholic and worthy
Knight; therefore, be it
Resolved, That while we bow in submission to the will of our Heavenly Father, we mourn the loss of
our Brother who has been taken from us; and be it
Further resolved, That this testimonial of condolence be offered to the family of our departed Brother
Knight as an expression of our heartfelt sympathy.