Historic first for Philadelphia

By Eugene Frasier
Special to The CS&T

Cardinal Justin Rigali became a member of the Knights of St. Peter Claver on Saturday, June 5, 2004, at the magnificent St. Athanasius Church in Philadelphia’s North Vicariate. It was a landmark event for Philadelphia: Cardinal Rigali is the first Philadelphia cardinal in history to become a member of the order.
The Knights of St. Peter Claver is a Catholic, Christian-anchored fraternal organization. It was founded on Nov. 7, 1909, in Mobile, Ala., by four Baltimore priests of the St. Joseph Society of the Sacred Heart. The local Knights of St. Peter Claver organization was inaugurated in Philadelphia on Dec. 4, 1976 at Most Precious Blood Church. The organization is parish-centered, with goals that consist of supporting parish pastors, strengthening faith, doing the Lord’s work and evangelizing, from the perspective of the African-American Catholic experience.
After the induction ceremony in Our Lady’s Chapel, Cardinal Rigali celebrated Mass and a special service.
In attendance for the sacred and confidential ritual were four national board members: Supreme Knight, Attorney Arthur McFarland of Charleston, S.C.; National Secretary, Michael Taylor of Virginia Beach, Va.; Dr. Robert Miller of Chicago, Ill., and National Advocate, Attorney Vincent Wilkens of Upper Marlboro, Md. Also attending the event were Knights of St. Peter Claver members Msgr. Herbert Bevard of St. Athanasius Parish and Father Steven Thorne, director of the Archdiocesan Office for Black Catholics, along with many other regional members of the organization.
After the Mass, a dinner was served in the Parish Hall. The Cardinal remained, greeting parishioners and posing for photographs. The event was made possible through the assistance of Monsignor Bevard and Monsignor John McIntyre, administrative secretary for Cardinal Rigali.
The Knights of St. Peter Claver is a family-oriented and inclusive organization. Any practicing Catholic, adult or youth, may join the order.

Eugene Frasier is a member of the Knights of St. Peter Claver Assembly #34, St. Athanasius Council #342.