To show the Order's concern about the ongoing decline in the number of candidates to the priesthood and religious life, the Supreme Council Vocations Committee was formed shortly after Supreme Knight Dechant took office in January 1977. Turning around this "vocation crisis" it was felt, was an urgent task best undertaken by an organization of Catholic families such as the Knights.

in initial meetings, the committee expressed the belief that each person has a vocation in fact, several vocations. Each person is called to be holy; he or she is called to a state in life whether married, religious or single; he or she is called to a career or profession.

Brainstorming on this idea, the committee established several goals in relation to its efforts among the faithful: 1) To create awareness that God calls everyone by a special vocation to serve Him as cleric, religious or lay person in the Church; 2) to motivate people to listen to and respond to God's call; 3) to provide the proper spiritual and social climate so that people will be able to hear God's voice and respond in freedom.

The Supreme Council committee is responsible for programs on the national level and for assisting state council committees in their projects. Committees on the state level devise, organize and implement programs within the jurisdiction. Committees also have been formed on the district level with the district deputy as chairman. Chancellors of each council in the district also are members of this committee. They have been charged with promotion of vocations- oriented activities on the local level.

To help those who may answer God's call, or already have, the Order's student loan program has been broadened in scope to make priests, nuns, seminarians, novices and postulants eligible for student loans, even if not affiliated with the Knights of Columbus.

Under the terms of the Refund Support Vocations Program, (R.S.V.P.), the Supreme office reimburses $100 to councils and Fourth Degree assemblies for each $500 spent on an individual seminarian on his road to ordination. Awards for "moral support" are presented to councils which offer personal affirmation and encouragement to a particular seminarian.

The Vocations Program bears within it the promise of hope for generations to come.