Evangelization of the New World

Knights of Columbus historian Dr. Christopher J. Kaufffman, described the landing of the Santa María, Pinta, and Niña as the Catholic Mayflower, linking the founding of the nation to sharing God's love through evangelization of the Americas.¹ Through the early twentieth century, the Knights of Columbus adopted Christopher Columbus as a symbol of Catholic heritage in the United States. Through efforts from the Knights, Columbus Day was established as a national holiday in the 1930s. In 1992, Pope John Paul II called for the "New Evangelization" to inspire the laity to share their faith in a secular world, and a call for lapsed Catholics to return during the Columbus Quincentenary. 

Sources:
1. Kauffman, Christopher J. Patriotism and Fraternalism in the Knights of Columbus: A History of the Fourth Degree (The Crossroad Publishing Company, 2001).

El Camino Real Pilgrimage

During the Columbus Quincentennial, a multinational pilgrimage was celebrated on El Camino Real. The pilgrimage journey was co-organized by the Texas, Louisiana, and Mexican councils as a celebration of the 300^th anniversary of the first Mass in Texas and a vision for renewed evangelization.

On April 10, 1992, a group of pilgrims began walking from the Louisiana/ Texas border near Milam. Another group began walking the trail from the Mexico/ Texas border near Guerrero. Both groups met on April 29 for an outdoor Mass at Bastrop State Park. On the US/ Mexico bridge near Eagle Pass, Fr. Bruce Nieli, CSP, celebrated an international Mass. 

On the route, pilgrims prayed and slept in parks, churches, or KC Halls. One Knight recalled praying 53 rosaries and 33 apostles creeds during the duration of his pilgrimage journey.¹

El Camino Real was first established during the late 1600s to link the East Texas missions with other areas of New Spain. Settlements, including the capital, San Antonio de Béxar, were developed along the route to serve as way stations. The route began in East Texas and ended in southeastern Texas. Today, parts of the route remain in use along Texas Highway 21, IH-35, US 79, and US 59.

Source:

1. El Camino Real Pilgrimage photographs and newspaper article, 1992, Texas State Council of the Knights of Columbus records, Catholic Archives of Texas, Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops.