I want to thank my 5 Grand Knights for actively promoting this year’s Men’s Lenten Retreat.  Particular thanks goes to Joe Wigglesworth, the Grand Knight of Good Shephard parish, and his council for hosting.  And, a special thanks to Father Anthony, the parish priest for being so welcoming.

In 2024, we had 47 men attend our inaugural Men’s Lenten Retreat.  Last year, we had 60 men attend.  This year, we had 80 men attend.  We have also experienced a substantial rise in the number of men who went to Confession during the retreat from 2 in 2024 to over 30 this year.  Thank-you for Father Anthony, Father Martin Hilbert and Father Eric Rodrigues for hearing them all.

Father Eric led the retreat.  He continued the tradition of saying a holy mass and in conducting a reverential exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  His 2 talks on St. Joseph, our masculine role model, were very well received.

Representatives from the 5 councils (Blessed Trinity, St. Timothy’s, St. Edward the Confessor in Toronto and St. Luke’s and Good Shepherd in Thornhill) joined me in leading the rosary.

While all the men enjoyed the ham & cheese and the roast beef & cheese croissants, our State Deputy, David Gelinas, gave an uplifting lunchtime talk.  He described how God had touched him in his life and on how appreciative he is to have met many like-minded Catholic men and families throughout Ontario through the Knights.

District 77 is excited to continue to grow our Men’s Lenten Retreat in 2027!