Pilgrim Icon Program

Brothers,

Every few years, the Knights of Columbus selects a Catholic icon featuring an image that is particularly edifying to Knights and their communities.

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly has said that as Knights bring these icons across the world to their parishes, he hopes “they will invite their families — and all families — to consecrate their homes and themselves to the Sacred Heart." He further said that “In the heart of Christ, we see the heart of the Father. And we ask Our Lord to help us make his heart our own, so that we may see and love in others what he sees and loves in us.” 

Sacred Heart Icon (2025-2027)

In Ohio, the Sacred Heart Pilgrimage will begin on March 1, 2025. Spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and pray for Our Lord to make his heart our own, so that we may see and love in others what he sees and loves in us.

Through the Pilgrim Icon Program, councils organize a Sacred Heart Holy Hour featuring an icon depicting the most famous image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, painted in 1767 by Pompeo Batoni and now venerated in the Church of the Gesù in Rome. The reproduction bears the blessing of Pope Francis, through the Papal Almoner, and is one of more than 300 icons traveling across the world, from council to council, for veneration and use in prayer services.

The Sacred Heart Holy Hour includes readings from Sacred Scripture and reflections from Pope Francis on the Sacred Heart, as well as the Divine Mercy Chaplet, prayers to the Sacred Heart and time for silent prayer. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament may also be included. Following the holy hour, families are encouraged to enthrone the Sacred Heart in their homes by placing an image of the Sacred Heart in a place of honor and conducting an enthronement ceremony.

Since the first traveling pilgrim icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1979, more than 191,000 council and parish prayer services with some 23 million participants have been held.

Sacred Heart Resources

#10682 Guide Sheet (PDF)

#5050 Sacred Heart Holy Hour Booklet (PDF)

#11520 Sacred Heart Prayer Card (PDF)

#613 Sacred Heart Litany Prayer Card (PDF)

#11266 News Release (PDF)

#10738 Horizontal Poster (PDF)

#10739 Vertical Poster (PDF)

#10741 Log Book (PDF)

For Pilgrim Icon Program resources, visit:
https://kofcohio.org/pilgrim-icon-program/ or www.kofc.org/pilgrimicon

Fraternally,

Tony Offenberger

State Warden