The Knights of Columbus has held a Pilgrim Icon program for over 30 years. Where a series sacred icons are reproduced, blessed, and sent around the world. Councils receive these sacred icons for veneration in chapel, the community, and brothers’ homes. The program was created to increase devotion and edify the prayer of lives of all.

In 2025, John Paul II Council, has the Sacred Heart Icon. A beautiful reproduction of Pompeo Batoni’s 1767 Sacred Heart of Jesus. The original hangs in The Church of the Gesu in Rome, Italy. 300 of these icons are travelling around the world. We are blessed to have one in our council. There will be a special Holy Hour exposition of the icon on March 18th at 7pm at St Patrick’s Church.

From Supreme

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.