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CV NEWS FEED // The Knights of Columbus have produced a short documentary on the life of Joe Reali, a “warrior for Christ” who sadly passed away at the age of 25, shortly after he declared interest in becoming a Knight himself.
“The documentary explores how Joe lived his faith in every aspect of his life and shared Christ with countless people he encountered,” the Knights stated in an emailed news release.
Joe Reali was raised by a pious Italian Catholic family in New York, where his devotion to the Eucharist, Mass, the Rosary, and the Blessed Mother were fostered at a young age. According to the Knights, it became natural for him to bring his friends or acquaintances along with him to Mass and to treat everyone he met with love and respect.
“Joseph was a light in the world,” his sister Luciana Corsello told the Knights. “He received God’s love through the sacraments, especially confession and the Holy Eucharist, and radiated it to everyone he met.”
Reali was a football player in both high school and college, but he always put family first.
“In 2009, his mother, Lisa, was diagnosed with colon cancer and could no longer care for her grandson while her daughter Toni- Marie worked. Joe quit football at LIU [Long Island University] Post and switched to night classes so that he could look after his young nephew,” the Knights reported.
Reali had previously been diagnosed with an enlarged heart condition, and unexpectedly passed away at home in 2015 at just 25 years old. Thousands of people came to his wake and funeral, fulfilling his dream that the pews in his parish would one day be filled.
Only months before he died, Reali had signed up for the Knights at his parish, Holy Name of Jesus, in Woodbury, New York. While he never took his First Degree, a new Council on Long Island named itself after him in 2015—Joseph Mario Reali Council 16261.
“The first thing we talked about was what we wanted the name of the council to be — and the first words on everyone’s lips was ‘Joseph Mario Reali,’” Past Grand Knight Bill Bonneville told the Knights. “So many Knights knew about his devotion to our church, to Holy Name of Jesus, as well as his family’s devotion to the parish. It was significant to us that we move forward in his name.”
The Council has thrived, attracting roughly 60 Knights since it was chartered two years ago. It has also been able to raise thousands of dollars for renovating and beautifying Holy Name of Jesus Church.
To commemorate Reali, the Knights have produced a 28-minute documentary about his life, available to watch for free online.
“Be inspired by Joe’s passion to spread the love of Christ, to live his faith in every aspect of his life, and his utter devotion to Mary, the Rosary, and the Sacraments,” the Knights’ website states. “For youth in need of a new generation of witnesses to the Gospel, Joe Reali stands as a stark reminder that holiness remains in our grasp, and that we are all called to be Warriors for Christ.”
