On the UD KofC Gal-entines Dinner
Behind each holiday is an animating spirit, which long ago inspired our forefathers to put aside their work and pursue something much harder: celebration. Even though we have shed many of the festivals our ancestors look forward to, some linger like embers in a hearth, simply needing fresh air to kindle the old flame anew.
What is that spirit which motivates Valentine’s Day, named for the third-century martyr known for consecrating marriages against the will of the emperor Claudius II, and for restoring the sight of a blind girl? The Knights of Columbus showed us through their hosting of a Gal-entine’s dinner in the Dumb Ox on Feb. 12.
With a three course meal made from scratch, courteous KofC waiters and three entertainment acts–featuring the band Penelope and the Suitors (working title), Benjamin Morris’ magical marvels, and a family feud skit–the knights hoped to provide a little levity and love to the women at UD.
Vincent Pavese, senior business major and Grand Knight of the council, explains that his inspiration came from our beloved Deacon Ryan and a tradition from the UD men’s society. He said, “When the Men’s Society was a part of the UD community, this was an event they would host every year in Anselm 230; I felt it was a wonderful event for the guys to serve the young women at UD and wanted to take it to a larger scale.”
Pavese added, “We [the knights] constantly speak about service to the community, especially what it means to be a young Catholic man. Part of that is the service of women, [so] being able to host, cook, and entertain them and create an enjoyable environment for them, was the end goal.”
Attendees of the event, Lauren Blake–freshman business major and founding member of the UD Columbiettes–and Anna Catherine Gilligan–freshman English major–said, “Going to Gal-entines, we hoped that this would be a great event for us to meet the Knights and also for us to be able to spend time together as girls. The Knights made the event very fun and entertaining.”
There were struggles to the event, and Pavese said, “One of the biggest challenges was just planning the event; I wasn’t sure about the logistics and possibility of hosting such an event.” Blake and Gilligan said, “The only thing we would suggest improving[…] is doing a better estimation of the food necessary for the event.”
That being said, Blake and Gilligan added, “It was incredible how they planned seating arrangements, allowing for friends to sit next to each other.” This small gesture, combined with the attitude of service shows how the Gal-entine’s dinner carries on the traditions both of the Men’s society, and of the mirthful martyr.
Where the secular celebrations of Valentine’s are criticized for being oriented towards couples, leaving single men and women feeling excluded, the Knights demonstrated a care and a charity towards any and all women who wished to attend. They demonstrated, as Valentine did, that love extends beyond feelings and fancies, towards another, and motivates the total gift of self for another’s sake.
Pavese, Blake and Gilligan all hope that the Gal-entines dinner, and those in the future, can bring together the men and women of UD into closer community, both in the bonds of fraternity, and the expression of appreciation. Let us hope with them that, with the Knights and Columbiettes as pillars, we can erect new monuments of charity and kindness on our campus, starting with Saint Valentine’s.