State Formation September 2026:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3
My Brother Knights,
As we begin another year of Formation together, I invite you to ask a simple question: What kind
of man does Jesus Christ want me to become?
This year we will walk together through the Beatitudes. They are more than beautiful sayings;
they are a portrait of Christian discipleship. Each month, we will take one Beatitude and ask how
it can become real in our families, our work, our Councils, our Parishes and our service to others.
We begin with the first: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
Through the Eyes of a Fisherman
A fisherman understands something that every Christian man needs to learn.
He can prepare his boat, repair his nets, study the water, watch the weather and work hard, but he
cannot command the lake and he cannot make the fish appear. He knows that, after everything he
can do, he must still trust in something beyond his own control.
That is a good image for the first Beatitude.
To be poor in spirit does not mean being weak, passive or irresponsible. It means recognizing
that we are not self-sufficient. Everything we have: our life, abilities, family, faith and
possessions are ultimately received from God.
The poor in spirit can honestly pray:
“Lord, I need You.”
This is not weakness. It is the beginning of true strength.
But poverty of spirit means more than recognizing our need for God. It means refusing to let
wealth, success, reputation or power become our master. A man may possess much and still be
poor in spirit if he remains grateful to God, is not enslaved by possessions, and is willing to use
what he has generously for others.
To be poor in spirit is not necessarily to possess little, but to refuse to let possessions possess us.
Mary and the Cross
September gives us two beautiful reminders of this spirit. On September 8, we celebrate the
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary’s greatness began with humble faith and openness to
God’s will:
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
She did not understand everything God was asking of her, but she trusted Him. Her “yes” was an
offering of her whole life to God.
On September 14, we celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Cross is the saving
sacrifice of Christ, through which He conquered sin and death. It reminds us that Christian
strength does not mean carrying everything alone.
United to Christ, we receive the grace to carry our own crosses faithfully.
One Catholic Faith
As Knights of Columbus, we belong to one Catholic Church, enriched by different legitimate
liturgical traditions. Most of us worship according to the Roman tradition, while some of our
Brother Knights belong to Eastern Catholic Churches.
Our traditions may be distinct, but in Christ we are one: one faith, one Lord and one Catholic
communion.
As our Supreme Convention reminded us, “In the One, We Are One.”
September’s celebrations of Mary and the Holy Cross remind us of what unites us. We can
appreciate the richness of one another’s traditions, while keeping Christ at the center.
A September Challenge
My Brother Knights, ask yourself: Where am I living as though I do not need God?
Is it in my marriage, family, work, finances, service or a decision I am facing?
Am I allowing God to lead me, or am I simply asking Him to bless what I have already decided?
Begin each morning with:
Lord, I need You today.
Lead me, strengthen me,
and use me for Your purposes.
If you wish, use the “iPraises” app during the month as a simple way to remain connected to the
daily prayer and liturgical life of the Church and to discover the richness of the Eastern Catholic
tradition.
My Brother Knights, as we begin this formation year, let us not begin with pride or
self-sufficiency, but with humble hearts and open hands.
The disciple, the fisherman, and the Knight all begin in the same place:
“Lord, I need You.”
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Vivat Jesus!
Fr. Slavko Dumeč
State Chaplain
Alberta – Northwest Territories
Knights of Columbus
