The Knights of Columbus began in the basement of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Conn., in 1882, when Father Michael J. McGivney called together a small group of pioneering Catholic laymen and founded a society designed to provide financial assistance for the widows and orphans of its members. Father McGivney's original idea grew quickly into an organization of Catholic men and their families dedicated to promoting the concepts of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism.

Today, there are nearly 1.6 million members in 11,000 local units called councils in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Panama, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and Saipan.

Over the years, the Knights of Columbus has become a diverse organization. Our members belong to many races and cultures. As in any large group, our diversity is our strength and an asset in searching for ways to make every day better.

When you join the Knights of Columbus, you become a part of one of the largest Catholic lay organizations in the world. If you are a Catholic man age 18 or older, you owe it to yourself and your family to find out more about our organization.


Faith

One of the primary goals of the Knights of Columbus is helping the Catholic Church remain vigorous and undiminished. There are many examples throughout the organization of Knights supporting the Church. Here are a few:

When a council's parish outgrew its facilities, Knights and their families helped by developing a plan for a new church and hall.

Another council saved its parish approximately $100,000 by providing volunteers to construct an addition to their church.

Working with three Catholic elementary schools, a council conducted a vocations awareness program for students.

Through the involvement of our local councils, the Refund Support Vocations Program provides continuous moral and financial support to individual seminarians and postulants.

Devotion to Mary is also very important to us. Upon joining the Knights of Columbus, each new member receives a K of C rosary. In addition, local councils regularly sponsor prayer services in honor of the Blessed Mother.

Family

The family is paramount to the Knights of Columbus. Our programs and activities allow families to work and play together to benefit the Church, community, and one another. Here are examples of what some done:

One council helped brighten Thanksgiving for some needy people by serving meals at a nursing home and distributing bags of groceries to homeless families and homebound people.

When a Knight was seriously injured in a farm accident, the members of his council came to his aid by planting and harvesting his crops and raising money for his medical bills.

Councils regularly hold socials, breakfasts, Masses, and other events for families. Catholic families are spotlighted through "Family of the Month" and "Family of the Year" programs.

Our commitment to family also includes protecting unborn children. Councils assist pro-life activities and groups, and raise public awareness by building memorials to the lives of unborn children ended each year through abortion.

Young people are a special part of the Knights of Columbus. The Columbian Squires is the official youth organization of the Knights of Columbus for Catholic young men ages 12 to 18. Councils sponsor other activities for youths including Easter egg hunts, Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship competitions, spelling bees, and sports teams.

We are devoted to supporting education. College scholarships, as well as graduate fellowship programs, are available for our members and their families.


Fraternity

Along with the camaraderie that comes with being part of a fraternal organization, our members enjoy working together to assist needy people in their communities. Some ways they help are:

After a boiler exploded at a mill town, a K of C council immediately offered its hall as a disaster shelter. Members cooked, unloaded trucks, arranged cots, set up tables of food, and assisted displaced families.

When a home for people with mental retardation needed assistance, Knights helped tile bathrooms, pour cement, cut bushes, and paint rooms.

Knights and their families serve a variety of causes, ranging from Special Olympics to meals-on-wheels programs.

The Knights of Columbus life insurance program is open to every member and his family. Insurance program participants are also eligible for fraternal benefits relating to orphans; widows; families with children who have mental retardation; and families facing the tragedy of a stillborn child or one who dies within 60 days after birth.

We also offer a benefit that provides free accidental death coverage to qualified members and their wives.


Join the Knights of Columbus

If you desire to improve your community;
If you want to support the Church and grow in your faith;
If you have an interest in the welfare of young people;
If you believe in family values;
If you want to associate with people who share your beliefs and interests;
If you have concerns about financially protecting your loved ones;
If you are a practical Catholic man at least 18 years old;
And if you want to be a part of an organization that promotes Faith, Family
and Fraternity, then consider joining the Knights of Columbus.

Contact our council for further information, or to join. We want you to be a Knight.

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