The Knights of Columbus (KC) in the Philippines celebrates Monday the 32nd death anniversary of its founder, Rev. Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ, who also founded the KC Fraternal Association of the Philippines.

While it was Rev. Michael J. McGivney who established the KC in the United States in 1882, it was Rev. Fr. Willmann who, in 1905, sowed the seeds of the order on Philippine soil and nurtured it to withstand the test of time.

Among the objectives of the KC, a Catholic, family, fraternal, and service organization, are to render pecuniary aid to its members, their families, and beneficiaries of members and their families; offer mutual aid and assistance to its sick, disabled, and needy members and their families; promote social and intellectual interaction among its members and their families; and encourage and conduct educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and welfare, and public relief works.

The first KC council in the country, Council No. 1000, was established within the Walled City of Intramuros with 31 charter members, all of whom were Americans. Today, the Philippine KC has thousands of members from numerous councils all over the country.

A Family TV Mass will be concelebrated today at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros to mark his death anniversary, co-sponsored by the various KC councils.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 29, 1897, Rev. Fr. Willmann entered the Society of Jesus on August 14, 1915, and was ordained priest on June 20, 1928. He was initiated into the First Degree on June 30, 1938, through KC Council 1000 in Intramuros, Manila, and was appointed Chaplain of that Council, a position he held until his death in 1977.

During World War II, he led KC members in undertaking various projects, including the provision of welfare assistance to prisoners freed from the Japanese concentration camp in Capas, Tarlac, and the operation of a canteen and recreational hall for USAFFE soldiers. He was arrested and imprisoned at the University of Santo Tomas and later at the concentration camp in Los Baños, Laguna, where he and other prisoners were later freed by American liberation forces. Recognizing his significant contribution to Philippine society, Rev. Fr. Willmann was granted Filipino citizenship by virtue of a presidential decree a few years before his death.

In observing his 32nd Death Anniversary, let us keep aflame the legacy that Rev. Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ, has bequeathed our country, the Knights of Columbus.