Archbishop Shawn McKnight

Archbishop-designate of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City | Author of “Understanding the Diaconate” | Gratias Agamus Domino

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

@bpdflores @AnthonyJGranado Agreed.

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

Today we celebrate the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. I always enjoy celebrating this special feast day — it is a much needed reminder of the most wonderful gift Christ gives us in his Mother, who cares for us deeply, nurtures us and intercedes for us.

Please join me in offering a brief Hail Mary for our Church, trusting our cares and worries to our Blessed Mother.

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

Joyous Pentecost to all! While on pilgrimage last month, I celebrated Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, which houses the elaborate and elegant Chair of St. Peter (pictured here).

This beautiful sculpture, and all of the artwork in the basilica, communicates an important truth that I would like to emphasize: as baptized Catholics, we are all called to share in the mission of the Church — to be witnesses of Christ by proclaiming glad tidings to the poor, the vulnerable, and the outcast. Our mission is not just reserved to ordained ministers or those in religious
life, but is carried out through the ministries of the baptized faithful throughout the world.

Thanking God for this privileged mission today, may our hearts be filled with the burning desire for unity and communal life in the Spirit.

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

As we begin a process of prayerful discernment in the archdiocese, I invite the faithful to join me in taking the words of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, to heart:

“Brothers and sisters, I would like that our first great desire be for a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world…For our part, we want to be a small leaven of unity, communion and fraternity within the world. We want to say to the world, with humility and joy: Look to Christ! Come closer to him! Welcome his word that enlightens and consoles! Listen to his offer of love and become his one family: in the one Christ, we are one.”

Photo courtesy of CNS/Lola Gomez

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

What a great joy it was to concelebrate the 50th Wedding Anniversary Mass at the Church of the Nativity with Archbishop Emeritus Naumann, and to honor the extraordinary witness of couples who have lived their marriage vows for five decades.

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

Earlier today, I had the honor of taking possession of the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, a moment of great significance for our local Church.

May we all be renewed in grace, opening wide the doors of our hearts, homes, and parishes to the transforming love of Christ.

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

Christ our Savior has ascended to the Father and sits at his right hand, interceding for us always. May our celebration of the Ascension be a reminder that we “do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

@cwwhiteNCR @NCRonline God bless your new adventure!

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

I am deeply grateful to everyone who participated in the Fresh Start Food Drive with Catholic Charities. Because of your generosity, many will receive not only the nourishment they need, but also the hope that reminds them they are not alone or forgotten.

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

On this Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I invite you to take a moment to prayerfully offer up a problem that seems difficult or impossible to resolve. Remember, Mary was a virgin and Elizabeth was barren. We all confront seemingly insurmountable problems in our lives, but our God exists beyond our human circumstances.

Let us ask our Blessed Mother for the gift of faith in God’s loving will, joining her song of praise: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant” (Luke 1:46-48).

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

What an extraordinary blessing to celebrate the 31st anniversary of my priestly ordination on my first day of ministry here in the Archdiocese of Kansas City. On my ordination day, I could never have imagined all of the incredible relationships I would develop and the countless blessings I would receive over the next 30 years. I am immensely grateful to our heavenly Father for his guidance and the opportunity to celebrate this special occasion with all of you.

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

I am filled with great joy and gratitude as I begin my service to you, the people of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Today, we begin our journey together, in service to God, as we live out our mission of growing as disciples of Jesus and making disciples for Jesus.

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

On the eve of tomorrow’s installation, I united in prayer with the priests of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, joined by cardinals, several of my brother bishops, out of town guests and people of the cathedral parish.

During this time of prayer, I took the Oath of Fidelity with humility and a heart full of hope.

In this moment of transition, we are called to walk together as fellow pilgrims on the path shaped by Christ and guided by the wisdom and grace of the Holy Spirit.

I come to you eager to help build up the Kingdom of God in Northeast Kansas. Please pray for me, as I will pray for you.

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

As I prepare to be installed as the fifth archbishop of Kansas City, KS this week, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to God for the many communities that have formed me and supported me throughout my life.

In this time of transition, may God bless the faithful of the Diocese of Jefferson City, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, and the universal Church. Let us heed the words of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, and remember that we are always one family, called to go forth to the ends of the earth as “a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.”

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

Thanks be to God! What a beautiful Mass of Thanksgiving, and a joyful privilege to celebrate my last week in the Diocese of Jefferson City with all of you.

I am filled with gratitude for each one of you. It has been a privilege to pray with you, walk alongside you, and witness the Holy Spirit’s profound work in central and northern Missouri. You are my first diocese as a bishop, and always will be, and I am grateful for the ways you helped to form me into the bishop that I am today. Please always know of my continual prayers and affection for you.

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

Congratulations to the newly confirmed of Immaculate Conception Parish in Brookfield! What a bittersweet moment it was to celebrate my last Confirmation in the Diocese of Jefferson City yesterday.

Confirmations have always been one of my favorite duties as Bishop of Jefferson City. Each year, it has been my honor to gather with such devoted sisters and brothers in Christ to celebrate our communal life in the Spirit.

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

Today, I had the great privilege of rededicating Holy Rosary Parish in Monroe City after substantial renovations this past year. This parish had its beginnings in the 1880s and continues to be a thriving spiritual home for the faithful. Thank you all for sharing this wonderful occasion with me.

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

What a blessing to celebrate our final pilgrimage Mass at St. John Lateran — the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV. As a group, we offered prayers for our new Holy Father and shared heartfelt gratitude for the unending blessings we’ve received on this trip. We are so thankful for your prayers for us — mille grazie!

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

Today, our pilgrimage group celebrated Mass in Santa Croce, a beautiful gothic church that houses the tombs of famous artists and scientists such as Michelangelo and Galileo. I wanted to share some wonderful thoughts from our pilgrims as we reflected on those who have greatly influenced our lives, especially our paths of spiritual growth.

[Archbishop Shawn McKnight @ArchbpMcKnight]

Every day of this pilgrimage, we’ve prayed the Rosary with a special intention in mind. On this Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima, we were blessed to celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of Florence — St. Mary of the Flower — and lift up our loved ones back home in prayer.