Our Lady of Peace will host the Annual Mass for the Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Claver on Sunday, September 9 at 11am. Here is a little information about this important Catholic Order. Father Gary will become a member next week and invites you join him in becoming a part of this important and exciting order.
The Knights of Peter Claver is the largest historically African-American Catholic lay organization in the United States and South America. The Order was founded in Mobile, Alabama and is presently headquartered in New Orleans.
The Order is named after St. Peter Claver, a Jesuit priest from Spain who ministered to African slaves in Cartegema, Colombia, South America in the 17th century. Peter Claver is said to have converted over 300,000 slaves to Catholicism.
The organization consists of six Divisions: Knights of Peter Claver, Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, Junior Knights, Junior Daughters, 4th Degree Knights and Ladies of Grace. The Junior Division welcomes Catholic youth between the ages of 7-18. Interested youth must have made their First Holy Communion.
The purpose of this organization is to render service to God and His Holy Church, render aid and assistance to the sick and disabled, and promote social and intellectual association among our members. It engages in a variety of church and community service projects and supports charitable appeals of many national and international organizations.