Knights of da Gama

The Catholic Order of the Knights of da Gama (Short form: Knights of da Gama; Abbreviation: KDG; German: Catholic Order of the Knights of da Gama ) is a Catholic lay order in South Africa. He is registered as a non-profit organization since 1997, and attached as an association of the faithful of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights. The name goes back to Vasco da Gama.

History and Mission

In the time of World War II established on November 20, 1943, Memorial of Saint Edmund of East Anglia, in Durban on the Indian Ocean, a small group of Catholic men a brotherhood of charity, fraternity and duties. They called themselves after Vasco da Gama " Knights of da Gama ," she thus joined the missionary work of da Gama, in 1940 by Pope Pius XII. was highlighted as a particular missionary. They want to encourage their members to good Christians, actively support them and live with them in the kingdom of Christ 's. Membership is open to all Catholics who live in faith and are in complete agreement with the Holy Catholic Church. You want to continue the tradition and take a place in the work of the lay apostolate. Their motto is: " Ut omnes unum sint " ( " all may be one ... " John 17: 21 EU ), in this sense, they have set themselves the following tasks:

  • To bring the message of Jesus Christ among the people;
  • Loyalty to preserve against the priests, bishops and the Holy Father;
  • A stand against injustice in the society;
  • Collaboration with the Pontifical Council for the Laity;
  • Spread the vision of Father Michael McGivney 's, in 1886 the first African-American Order of Knights of Columbus founded, and called for the establishment of other brotherhoods;
  • Strengthening and promotion of members of the Order as a practical partner on mission of the Church and
  • Continuation of the unity of faith and prayer.

Organization

Similar to existing Catholic Knight communities divided the brotherhood in " Councils ", which are assigned to parishes. The next, affiliated to the diocesan level, level the "Courts ". As the highest body with the "Supreme Knight" at the top, is the National Council, which also in the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference ( SACBC ) is represented. The local, regional and national meetings are for members only, this fact prompted the critics the Knights of da Gama as a call to " secret society " or classified in the vicinity of the Freemasons. The receiving ceremony is always celebrated in conjunction with a Eucharistic celebration.

Duty Episcopal Conference Portugal
481083
de