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TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The California Knights of Columbus presented the Mexican Martyr Award to Father Jeff Henry, pastor of the St. Michael Catholic Community at Travis Air Base, California, in front of his congregation during Sunday Mass Sept 23.
Out of 669 council chaplain Knights and over 1,000 eligible priests in California, Henry earned this award for his exceptional service as a chaplain for the Travis Council Knights of Columbus and for his pastoral work.
During the base summer block party, Henry led a dozen Knights to cook burgers and hot dogs for nearly 3,000 military members and their families. He also completed a four-session Bible study with 248 parishioners, six times the attendees than past studies.
Additionally, he partnered with the Diocese of Sacramento, allowing base members to participate in a spiritual retreat conference.
Receiving the award was a pleasant surprise, said Henry.
“I am very grateful for this award and accept it on behalf of our council at Travis AFB,” he said.
The award honors the memory of Saint Luis Batiz Sainz, a Mexican Priest and Knight of Columbus, who along with three laymen, David Roldan, Salvador Lara and Manuel Morales, were put before a firing squad by the Mexican government in 1926 for refusing to submit to anti-religious laws. When Batiz Sainz asked the soldiers to free one of the captives, Morales interjected.
“I’m dying for God,” he said. “God will care for my children.”
“See you in heaven,” said Batiz Sainz.
Henry also won the award in February 2017.
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