Fr. Michael J. McGivney, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, founded the Knights of Columbus during the latter part of the19th century. As a statement that the Catholic faith and loyalty to one's country are in harmony, the organization took as its patron Christopher Columbus.
The Knights of Columbus is a Connecticut corporation, which received its corporate charter from the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut in 1882, the year of its founding. It has no parent company and no stock. It is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a fraternal benefit society under Section 501(c)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code (Title 26, United States Code), pursuant to which it is exempt from federal taxation in the United States. As a fraternal benefit society, the Knights of Columbus offers life insurance and other benefits to its members and their families residing in the United States and Canada.
The Knights of Columbus is also the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization, with more than 1.8 million members in countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, the Bahamas, and South Korea. The Knights of Columbus operates through and maintains an active system of local and state councils that conduct extensive charitable and volunteer programs.
The governing authority of the Knights of Columbus is the Supreme Council, which maintains its headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut. There are subordinate state or territorial councils in every jurisdiction where the Knights of Columbus is established, as well as local councils, most of which are associated with a Catholic parish. The state, territorial, and local councils are unincorporated associations holding charters from the Supreme Council and are subject to dissolution or merger according to the Laws of the Knights of Columbus. Rev. January 2015
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in its beginning pages that man is called to know, love and serve God. God "calls man to seek him, to know him, and to love him with all his strength." Our Lord calls men who are scattered throughout our diocese divided by sin to find unity in His family, the Church.
Those of you who are searching for a way to grow closer to Christ and to deepen your love not only for God, but your own families and parish members are seeking a sign or direction to deepen our hearts. Could it be that the Knights of Columbus is a place to start?
Charity (Love) – Unity (oneness) - Fraternity (brotherhood & friendship)-Devotion (dedication & love)
Our Catholic faith teaches us to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Members of the Knights of Columbus show love for their neighbors by conducting food drives, volunteering at Special Olympics, supporting mothers who choose life for their babies, and have various ways of bringing in funds for those in dire need. Knights recognize that our mission, and our faith in God, compels us to action. There is no better way to experience love and compassion than by helping those in need.
Members of the Knights of Columbus all know that together we can accomplish far more than any of us could individually. So we stick together and we support one another. As a Knight of Columbus, you can count on the support and encouragement of your brother Knights as you work to make life better in your parish, community and family. In the Knights of Columbus, we watch out for and take care of one another.
We are proud of our devotion to God and country, and believe in standing up for both. Whether it’s in public or private, the Knights remind the world that Catholics love our country and have an everlasting love for God.