Calendar
This year, we invite our Nobler Order to celebrate Saint Peter Claver's Feast Day on either the weekend prior (September 5-7) or the weekend following (September 12-14) his Feast Day (September 9).
As the Feast Day's central theme is emulating St. Peter Claver's dedication to serving the poor and enslaved by "speaking to them with our hands" through compassionate action, we encourage our units across the country to honor his life through:
Prayer & Worship
Charitable Service & Community Action
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Organize Service Projects: Conduct projects inspired by St. Peter Claver's compassion, such as volunteering at food banks, hosting toiletry drives, or visiting the sick and shut-ins.
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Volunteer at Homeless Shelters or Hospitals: Offer hands-on assistance to vulnerable populations in your community.
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Support Local Youth: Provide tutoring sessions to help youth with their studies.
Education & Awareness
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Highlight Black Saints:
Use the day to educate members and the community about other Black Catholic Saints and African Americans who are on the path to sainthood.
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Host Informative Sessions:
Organize talks or discussions on current issues facing Black Catholics.
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Promote Black Catholic History:
Hold essay, poetry, or quiz bowl contests focused on Black Catholic history.
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Evangelize and Recruit:
Distribute information about the Knights of Peter Claver and invite non-members to join the Order and become more involved in the Church.
Social & Fellowship Activities
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Host Unit Gatherings:
Arrange breakfasts, lunches, or dinners for Knights of Peter Claver members and potential members to foster fellowship.
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Wear KPC Gear:
Turn out and wear your Knights of Peter Claver gear to raise awareness and demonstrate pride in the Order.
ABOUT OUR PATRON SAINT, SAINT PETER CLAVER
Saint Peter Claver was born into a wealthy, devout Catholic family. Noted for his intelligence and piety, he chose to use his blessings to minister to the enslaved rather than to live a life of material and financial prosperity. Many church and municipal authorities strongly opposed Saint Peter Claver's chosen mission of minister to the spiritual, physical, and mental needs of the enslaved.
Despite the opposition, Saint Peter Claver.
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Boarded crowded and inhumane slave ships on the ports of Cartagena, Colombia, South America to serve the passengers as soon as they arrived from their traumatic transatlantic voyages that often lasted several months
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Provided free medicine, food, bread, and basic instructions using interpreters and pictures
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Baptized over 300,000
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Annually heard confession from over 5,000
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Visited plantations, choosing to stay in slave quarters while he encouraged those enslaved to persevere in their faith and advocated for their humane treatment
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Visited the city square and hospitals, preaching and ministering to the sick, sailors, traders, visitors, condemned criminals, and also the many prosperous citizens of Cartagena
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Continued his mission for approximately 40 years
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After caring for so many for so long, died on September 8, 1654 after four years of being confined to his room with lingering health problems and suffering from neglect by his caretakers
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Viewed his condition only as a punishment for his sins
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Was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1888
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Feast Day is recognized on September 9th
Saint Peter Claver's work was inspired by Alonso de Sandoval, who had been ministering to the enslaved for 40 years prior to our patron saint's arrival.
There are churches, schools, and missions named in his honor, particularly in predominately African / African-American parishes, throughout the world.
His body is preserved and venerated in the Church of the Jesuit Residence that is now renamed in his honor.
More Info
Howdy KPC Family,
On behalf of the Texas State Conference Board of Directors, I am excited to invite you to save the date for our 96th Texas State Conference, taking place May 1–3, 2026 at:
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dallas – Richardson
1981 North Central Expressway, Richardson, TX 75080
This is a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate our shared mission.
Our theme for this year is “Called to Serve, Commissioned to Serve.” Inspired by Matthew 28:19–20, it reminds us that we are called to go forth, serve others, and share God’s message. Just as we are commissioned to make disciples and teach His ways, this conference is an opportunity for us to unite in service, fellowship, and mission.
Please see the attached PDF for the link to reserve your hotel rooms at your earliest convenience. If you have any questions or need assistance, do not hesitate to reach out immediately—we are here to help.
Attachments
- Download Communication
- Download Save the Date Graphic with Hotel Link
Reminder: This is an election year, so your participation is especially important.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Fraternally,
Darrion J. Smith Sr.
Texas State Conference President
More Info
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Welcome to the Knights of Peter Claver
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 From www.cathstan.org: The country’s oldest predominantly Black fraternal Catholic organization, the Knights of Peter Claver, held its annual national convention in Rockville, Maryland from July 17-23.
According to Grant Jones, executive director of the Knights of Peter Claver, approximately 1,400 knights and members of the Ladies Auxiliary registered for the convention, which was held at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. Read More Saint Katharine Drexel Preparatory School (SKDP), the only all-girl Catholic high school in the nation that is privately owned and operated by its alumni, proudly celebrates a historic milestone: the graduation of its largest class in recent years and a transformational donation to help secure the school’s future.
This year’s graduating class of 36 young ladies, the Class of 2025, achieved a 100% graduation rate, 99% college acceptance, and collectively earned nearly $6 million in scholarships. These accomplished scholars have been accepted to over 100 colleges and universities across the country, continuing Drexel Prep’s legacy of academic excellence, faith-based leadership, and community impact. Read More Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father Simon Peter Engurait to be the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. The announcement was made this morning in Rome by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.
Bishop Elect Engurait has served as the Diocesan Administrator in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux since January 2024, upon the passing of Bishop Mario Dorsonville. He previously served as the Vicar General since 2017 and has also served as the pastor of St. Bridget Parish since that time as well.
“I did not expect this—I am humbled beyond words that the Holy Father has chosen me, not from outside, but from among the ranks of the priests of this beloved Diocese,” said Bishop Elect Engurait. Read More BlackCatholicMessenger.com: New Jersey native and former university administrator has been a member of the Oblates, the nation's oldest Black Catholic order, since 1998. Read More A local chapter of the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary, the oldest Black Catholic lay-led organization in existence, was reinstated May 17 at Rochester’s Immaculate Conception/St. Bridget’s Church. Bishop Salvatore R. Matano celebrated the Mass, during which 10 knights and 12 ladies were inducted to the Knights’ Council and Ladies Auxiliary Court 106. Rochester was host to the Knights’ Council and Ladies Auxiliary Court for many years, until the council and court disbanded several decades ago. Read More ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Saturday was full of celebration for many local Catholics as they reinstated the local unit of the Knights of Peter Claver Council & Ladies Auxiliary Court. This comes after a decades-long hiatus during which it was inactive.
Deputy Marvin Bardo, who oversees the northern states district of the national organization, shared his excitement for the newly introduced chapter.
“To bring this organization back to the City of Rochester is a win-win, not only for the people of the Archdiocese of Rochester, but for the Knights of Peter Claver as a whole,” Bardo said. Read More Bro. Jari Honora, New Orleans, LA - New York Times: Robert Francis Prevost, the Chicago-born cardinal selected on Thursday as the new pope, is descended from Creole people of color from New Orleans.
The pope’s maternal grandparents, both of whom are described as Black or mulatto in various historical records, lived in the city’s Seventh Ward, an area that is traditionally Catholic and a melting pot of people with African, Caribbean and European roots.
The grandparents, Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié, eventually moved to Chicago in the early 20th century and had a daughter: Mildred Martinez, the pope’s mother.
The discovery means that Leo XIV, as the pope will be known, is not only breaking ground as the first U.S.-born pontiff. He also comes from a family that reflects the many threads that make up the complicated and rich fabric of the American story. Read More By Vatican News
The Holy See released a declaration on Wednesday in which the Cardinals preparing for the upcoming conclave ask the faithful to pray for them.
“The College of Cardinals gathered in Rome, engaged in the General Congregations in preparation for the Conclave, wishes to invite the People of God to live this ecclesial moment as an event of grace and spiritual discernment, listening to the will of God,” read the statement.
The Cardinals said they feel “the need to be supported by the prayers of all the faithful,” since they are aware of their responsibility in choosing the next Successor of Peter.
Prayer, they added, “is the true force that in the Church promotes the unity of all the members of the one Body of Christ.” Read More
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