KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN INTERNATIONAL AS A FAMILY APOSTOLATE

 2 January 2026  /  friday Blues 1-027

 

KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN INTERNATIONAL

AS A FAMILY APOSTOLATE

 

by Noble Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje (KSJI)

Global Health and Development Projects Consultant | Conferences Organizer | Trainer|

Facilitator | Researcher | M&E Expert | Civil Society Leader | Policy Advocate

1^st Vice President, St. Martin Commandery 697, Lugbe Abuja

 

+234 80 34 72 59 05   /   druzoadirieje2015@gmail.com

follow Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje on Facebook by clicking on this link <https://www.facebook.com/uzoadirieje> to receive more posts.

 

 

The Knights of St. John International (KSJI) stands as a living witness to Catholic faith, fraternity, and service, uniquely expressed through its identity as a family apostolate. Inspired by the prophetic courage and moral clarity of St. John the Baptist, KSJI affirms the Christian family as the primary school of faith and virtue. Sacred Scripture underscores this conviction: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

 

The Catholic Church teaches that the family is the “domestic Church”, where faith is first lived and transmitted (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], no. 1656). KSJI embraces this teaching by encouraging Knights to lead their families in prayer, sacramental life, and moral discipline. Through example and commitment, members help their spouses and children grow in holiness, fulfilling the biblical charge: “Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray” (Proverbs 22:6). This aligns with Familiaris Consortio, where St. John Paul II affirms that the family has a “decisive role in the mission of the Church” (FC, no. 49). The Familiaris Consortio is an apostolic exhortation by St. John Paul II that teaches that the Christian family is the “domestic Church” with a central mission in evangelization, formation of children, and the sanctification of society.

 

Charity is the heartbeat of KSJI’s apostolate. Knights and their families engage in both corporal and spiritual works of mercy, living out Christ’s words: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). The Church reminds the faithful that love of neighbour is inseparable from love of God (CCC, no. 1825). By involving families in charitable action, KSJI forms consciences that understand faith as active, sacrificial, and socially transformative.

 

Fraternity and unity within KSJI also strengthen family life by providing spiritual and moral support. This mirrors the early Christian community described in Scripture: “All who believed were together and had all things in common” (Acts 2:44). Vatican II emphasizes that lay associations play a vital role in sanctifying the world from within (Apostolicam Actuositatem, no. 18). The Apostolicam Actuositatem is a Second Vatican Council decree that affirms the vocation of the laity to actively participate in the Church’s mission by transforming the world through faith, charity, and organized apostolic action.

 

In essence, KSJI as a family apostolate embodies Christ’s call to witness publicly to faith: “You are the light of the world… your light must shine before others” (Matthew 5:14–16). By forming faith-filled families, KSJI contributes meaningfully to the renewal of the Church and the moral transformation of society.

 

 

Noble Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje is chartered Health Systems Strengthening and Development Management consultant, and a distinguished multidimensional communicator whose passions as a writer, columnist, blogger, reviewer, editor, and author bridges the intersections of global health, peace and wellness, human welfare, sustainable development, human rights, climate justice, and governance. He was the Chief of Protocols of the Abuja Grand Commandery of the Ancient and Noble Order of the Knights of St. John International, and has attained the Noble (highest) degree of the Order. He has been honoured as ‘Ezinna’ CMO of St. John of the Cross Parish, Amaruru, Orlu Diocese, Imo State; and ‘Ezinna’ CWO of St. Martin Parish, Lugbe Abuja. He holds a number of chieftaincy titles including ‘High Chief Ugwumba I of Amaruru clan’, and ‘Ahaejiejemba Ndigbo Lagos State’.