Elements of Cor

Why Cor?

Cor empowers Catholic men to live their faith and serve their family, parish, community, and country. Through Cor, men will be formed and sharpened as disciples of Jesus, who are committed to serving him and willing to boldly live and share their faith. It is the mandate of every Catholic man to bring Jesus to a broken world. Cor’s mission is to refocus Catholic men on Jesus Christ and to form and strengthen them in faith and virtue through a brotherhood committed to prayer, formation, and fraternity.

Cor gatherings feature prayer and fraternity while our faith formation activity is conducted with small-group discussions.

The name of “Cor” is from an expression coined by Saint John Henry Newman, “Cor ad cor liquitur.” This Latin phrase translated into English is, “Heart speaks to hearts.” This year in the United States, Catholics will dedicate ourselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, or “Sacrum cor Jesu.” We also honor the Immaculate Heart of Mary, or “Cor immaculatum Mariae.” When Knights pray to God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we do so with all our hearts, or “cum omnibus CORdibus nostris.”

Elements of Cor

Prayer: Lifting our Hearts and Minds to God

Through Prayer, we encounter Christ and animate our faith and relationship with him. We must first know Jesus and receive from Him before we can share him with our families and communities. Shared time in prayer helps men focus their minds and hearts on God and give depth and life to formation and fraternal brotherhood. Like all relationships, prayer requires commitment and consistency.

Formation: Becoming like Christ

As disciples of Christ, the goal of Catholic formation is to become like Christ, taking on his character and virtue, his life of prayer and his mission. He is the model of holiness. Formation is life-long and requires and intentional commitment. Alongside prayer, formation helps increase our knowledge and love of God and of neighbor. Intentional and structured times of formation help direct fraternity toward the shared pursuit of Christ, of holiness, and a life of faith and missionary discipleship. Formation requires the animation of prayer and the accountability of Fraternity.

Fraternity: Centering Brotherhood on Christ

Fraternity is not just friendship or hanging out; it is a true brotherhood centered on Christ. This type of brotherhood has depth and trust, where men sharpen one another and accompany each other as disciples of Christ. Brotherhood made up of Christ-centered friendships is necessary for men to grow in holiness, as leaders on mission.