SW News: Carl Anderson, the former Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, was awarded a top Polish Catholic prize by the episcopate. Anderson was given the Totus Tuus prize, which is also known as the Polish Nobel on October 9 at Warsaw’s Royal Castle.

The former Supreme Knight was given the award for promoting Pope St John Paul II and implementing the values he proclaim. The prize was instituted by the bishops’ foundation Work of the New Millennium for extraordinary efforts to promote the Polish pope and his teachings. The award’s name is derived from the Latin motto of Pope St John Paul II, which means ‘totally yours’.

A lawyer by profession, Anderson was the thirteenth Supreme Knight of the world’s largest Catholic lay organization for men. During his nearly 21 year stint, he played a vital role in establishing a shrine in Washington, DC. in honor of Pope John Paul II that was blessed in 2011. Three years later, it was declared a national shrine.

It was St. John Paul II who appointed Anderson as a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life in 1998 and the Pontifical Council for the Laity in 2002. The following year, he was made a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Receiving the award, the former Supreme Knight said, “John Paul II changed the history of Poland and the United States. He changed the history of the world.”

“He was a great advocate of human rights, solidarity, and freedom. He always defended the truth about the human person and his dignity.”

Anderson also said that modestly helping to fulfill his mission and carrying on the legacy of the saint pope was the greatest honor in his life. With over 1.9 million members, the Knights of Columbus is a Catholic organization formed on charity, unity, and fraternity in 1882 by Blessed Fr Michael J. McGivney. The community follows the core values of integrity, professionalism, excellence, and respect.