As they have performed since 1988, Knights of Columbus (KofC) Assembly members will again sponsor a Memorial Day Mass on Monday, May 27 th to honor over 17,000 fallen warriors who are laid to rest at the Marietta National Cemetery, including 3,000 unknown soldiers also interred there.
Participating Knights are from two local KofC Assemblies: The Bishop Charles P. Greco Assembly #2161, which consists of KofC members from three local area churches: Holy Family, St. Joseph, and St. Thomas; the Fr. Roger J. Plante, M.S. Assembly #3770 Knights are from the Catholic Church of St. Ann in Marietta. Parking is provided in the Marietta Library parking lot as well as a trolley to transport attendees to the Mass site.
The Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, Archbishop of Atlanta, will concelebrate a commemorative Mass with other Atlanta Archdiocesen bishops and offer a homily of gratitude to the deceased veterans. The public is invited. Seating and parking are complimentary made available for the audience.
A contingent of Knights of the Fourth Degree—the highest ranking, or “Patriotic” level of the order—will escort the Archbishop to the cemetery’s marble-columned rostrum, which will be draped with red, white and blue bunting. Other members will form a color guard and post the colors for the National Anthem. The Mass will begin at 9:00 a.m.
A section of the fraternal assembly from St. Ann’s parish—“The Note-able Knights”—will stand at attention during the Mass. Accompanied by their church keyboardist, Ed Bolduc, the “Note-ables” will lead the congregation in liturgical hymns, such as The 23 rd Psalm and How Great Thou Art, followed by a professional solo trumpeter, John Strauss, who will perform Taps at the
end of the Mass. The program will conclude with the singing of God Bless America as the Archbishop and Honor Guard exit in procession.
About the Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus, founded in 1882, is the world’s premier, Catholic, mens’ fraternal benefit society with 2.1 million members worldwide in over 16,800 councils. They serve the church and local communities under the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. In its fiscal year 2022, not only did they donate nearly $185 million to charitable needs and worthy community projects; these men they call “Knights” volunteered more than 50 million hours to charitable causes world-wide.
The Knights have also provided active support to members of the U.S. armed forces and their families throughout much of their 135-year history, and they continue to do so during the currentworld conflicts.
