dsc_6417On September 14, 2011, the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines will commemorate the 34th Death Anniversary of Rev. Fr. George J. Willmann, S.J.
It will be highlighted by a Family TV Mass at the San Agustin Church at 9:00 in the morning with Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, D.D., Bishop of Parañaque as the Main Celebrant to be assisted by KC Priest-scholars and the Augustinian Priests. The Mass will be aired on September 25, 2011 at IBC Channel 13 from 9:00 to 10:00AM. Immediately after the Mass, a wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the statue of Fr. Willmann located at the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) head office in Intramuros, Manila.
Father Willmann is referred to as the “Fr. McGivney of the Philippines” because, like the venerable founder of the Knights of Columbus, he vigorously pursued the growth of the Order and dynamically worked for the radical transformation of faith into action. Fr. Willmann spent 44 fruitful and productive years in the Philippines serving young people, the poor, the sick, the orphans, the oppressed, the lonely and the desolate. Fr. Willmann was born on June 29, 1897 to very devout Catholic parents in Brooklyn, New York. Through Presidential Decree No. 740, President Ferdinand E. Marcos granted him Philippine citizenship. During his more than four decades in the Philippines, Father Willmann established numerous organizations in the country most notable of which is the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) which he, together with a number of dedicated KC members, founded in 1958. (Denise Solina)