How “Vivat Jesu” became the Knights of Columbus Motto
When the late Supreme Chaplain Bishop Charles Greco was a seminarian he was deeply moved while reading the story of St. Bernadine of Siena.  He adopted the saint’s favorite prayer – “May Jesus Live”, in its Latin form “Vivat Jesu”, to use as the motto for his life and priesthood.  When he became Bishop of Alexandria, LA in 1946, Bishop Greco chose the same phrase as his Episcopal motto.
Our past Supreme Knight, Virgil Dechant, thought our order ought to be devoted to the name of Jesus and chose Bishop Greco’s motto “Vivat Jesu” as a greeting.  The response is “SEMPER”, meaning ‘always’.  By its use, the Knights help bring back the love and devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus.