The Order of the Fleur De Lis held its annual meeting Aug. 21-23 in Chattanooga. All activities were held at St. Stephen Catholic Church. The weekend included a Friday evening reunion, Saturday morning group Rosary, ladies’ activity of touring the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul in downtown Chattanooga followed by a lunch. The men conducted a business meeting, and the Order attended the Saturday Vigil Mass at St. Stephen’s. Following Mass, Bishop Mark Beckman of Knoxville was invested with the Knight Commander Cross.

On Saturday, during the annual banquet, Grand Chancellor Stephen Koach announced the recipient of the 2026 Benjamin I. Kiper Award was George V. “Skip” Gentle of Alabama. 

The award is named after Benjamin I. Kiper who initiated the effort to develop the Order of the Fleur De Lis. Kiper was invested with the Knight Commander Cross in 1970 and became the first Grand Chancellor of the Order of the Fleur De Lis.

The award acknowledges the contributions by a Knight Commander who has exhibited excellence in his love of Church, family, country and the Order of the Fleur De Lis. Commander Gentle was recognized for his efforts with Lady Claudette in support of their parish, Our Lady of the Valley in Birmingham. Commander Gentle served for many years as the Ultrasound Initiative Chairman for the Alabama State Council of the Knights of Columbus. He began a program in 2013 for the Order of the Fleur De Lis to memorialize the deceased Commanders of the Order on a chalice. There was an initial need to provide chalices to priests of the Archdiocese for Military Service. As the years have passed, the program now recognizes a newly ordained priest in the diocese where the annual meeting is held. Commander Gentle has served on the Board of Governors and was elected Vice Grand Chancellor of the Order serving for 3 years.

Grand Chancellor Stephen Koach of Enterprise announced the Order of the Fleur De Lis will hold its 2027 annual meeting Aug. 27-29 in Hoover.

The Order of the Fleur de Lis is an organization of Catholic men incorporated under the laws of the state of Louisiana as a not-for-profit organization. The Order’s domain is a five-state region consisting of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. The objectives of the Order include support and defense of the Holy Catholic Church and its teachings, promotion of patriotism and good citizenship, and encouragement of public morality and unselfish service to God and country.

Other Knight Commanders in the Diocese of Birmingham include Bishop Steven J. Raica and Fathers Kevin M. Bazzel, Vernon Huguley, Gerald Holloway. Additionally, Commanders Jerry Breecher, Gerald Buford, Joseph Flathery III, Danny Garcia, Steve Griffin, William Mores, Pete Parish, David Renda and Michael Weist reside in the diocese.