The Honorable W. Patrick Donlin was the Supreme Advocate of the Knights of Columbus in 1981 until his death in 1996.
He was appointed by Pope John Paul II as a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great in 1985 (see medal below). Per Revolvy.com,
“the honor is bestowed upon Roman Catholic men and women… in recognition of their personal service to the Holy See and to the Roman Catholic Church, through their unusual labors, their support of the Holy See, and their excellent examples set forth in their communities and their countries.”
We are one of several Councils and Assemblies to be graced by the name of the Honorable W. Patrick Donlin:
- Honorable W. Patrick Donlin Assembly 1205 (Park Falls, WI)
- Honorable W. Patrick Donlin Assembly 2459 (New Haven, CT) – you are here
- Supreme Advocate W. Patrick Donlin Council 6630 (Belleville, WI)
Donlin was originally from Park Falls, WI and Park Falls, WI Fourth Degree was the original Assembly to be named in his honor. After that he worked at Supreme for many years in New Haven, and for that we, and all Knights, are grateful.
Below is a Citation bestowed upon Donlin by the Legislature of the State of Wisconsin upon his elevation to State Deputy of the Wisconsin State Council, several years before he became the Supreme Advocate:
So inspiring was Donlin that in the Donlin family crest of names, he is one of only two modern people (contemporaries) specifically noted: http://www.houseofnames.com/donlin-family-crest