WHO ARE THE KNIGHTS?
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.6 million members. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families and young people.
A Star is Born
In 1997, a few good men chartered a new Knights of Columbus council at Holy Family parish in Inverness, IL. Since then, every year, Holy Family Council 11981 has achieved the Star Council award – the Supreme Council’s highest honor, recognizing a council’s growth and programs. There is an active Ladies Auxiliary. A Columbian Squires Circle for boys is being organized. The Holy Family Knights and Ladies have also been recognized at the state level. At the 2006 convention the Knights received the highest state award, the Knights of the Holy Grail, while the Ladies were named Ladies Auxiliary of the Year and also took the state Service Program Award.
Learn about the Knights
On October 2, 1881, a small group of men met in the basement of St. Mary’s Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut. Called together by their parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, these men formed a fraternal society that has now become the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization. They sought strength in solidarity and security through unity of purpose and devotion to a holy cause. They vowed to be defenders of their country and their families and their Faith. These men were bound together by the ideal of Christopher Columbus, who brought the Holy Faith to this New World. They called themselves the Knights of Columbus. Through the foresight of Father McGivney and the dedication of those early Knights and the millions who have followed in their footsteps, the Knights of Columbus has become the world’s foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society, one that has helped millions of Catholic families grow in their faith and defend their beliefs. It has made its members better husbands, fathers, sons and citizens. It has helped families obtain economic security and stability through the Knights’ life insurance program. It has built Catholic communities, fed the poor and defended the vulnerable. It has helped to renovate the Vatican and bring the Pope to the world. Since it was incorporated on March 29th, 1882, the Knights of Columbus has grown to more than 12,000 councils and 1.7 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam, Saipan and Poland.
Love of Church and Country
Charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism - these are the ideals and principles of the Knights of Columbus, and since 1882, Knights of Columbus have backed up these words with actions. During World War I, the Knights established soldiers’ welfare centers in training camps throughout the United States and behind the lines in Europe and Asia. During World War II, the Knights were the first national organization to sponsor a blood donor program. Many councils led war bond drives and thousands of Knights were killed in action during the war. During the Cold War, the Knights operated speakers’ bureaus and funded anti-Communist and pro-freedom media messages. In 1954, the Knights of Columbus led the effort to officially include the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. In 1957, the Knights of Columbus donated a $1 million, 329-foot bell tower to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC—a tower that became known as the “the Knights’ Tower.” The Order has since donated a 56-bell carillon to the Shrine and provided funding for its operation. During the 1960s and 1970s the Knights of Columbus stood as a tower to promote racial equality and love of country. Against a tide of dissension, the Order championed Church teachings on divorce, birth control, abortion and pornography. Since the late 1970s, the Supreme Council has fostered devotion to the Church and the Blessed Mother, and pledged the Knights' support for the Holy Father, the cardinals, bishops and all the clergy and religious. Deep loyalty to the Vatican is represented by the Order's contributions to the pope's charities, architectural restoration of St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican communications technology. In 2000, the current Supreme Knight, Carl A. Anderson, was elected to office. Continuing the tradition of devotion to the Church and the Blessed Mother, he rededicated the Order to its role as the “strong right arm of the Church” in the renewal of society. He especially promised new vigor in the fight for the culture of life over the culture of death as the Order continues in the 21st century.
As a member of the Knights of Columbus you and your family enjoy many benefits, including 12 free issues annually of the Columbia magazine, the world's largest Catholic family magazine, eligibility to join the Knights of Columbus top-ranked life insurance program, and many more family and personal benefits.
Membership in the Knights
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practical Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who are at least 18 years old. A practical Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church. Application blanks are available from any member of the Knights of Columbus.
All priests and religious brothers having duly made application for membership and participated in the ceremonials become honorary life members of the Order and are exempt from payment of dues.
Candidates join local units called “councils,” most of which are based in one Catholic parish or in the community at large. The candidate takes part in initiation degrees that explain the Knights of Columbus’ four principles: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.
A candidate is considered a “Knight” after taking his First Degree, but is encouraged to advance through the Second and Third Degrees and on to the Fourth Degree, whose members promote the virtue of patriotism by serving in honor guards and color corps to promote respect for country and the flag. Qualifications for membership in the Fourth Degree are: membership in the Knights for at least six months and being a Third Degree Knight.
The Knights of Columbus have a proud heritage. The qualified Catholic man can share in this heritage and build for an even greater future by affiliating himself with this forceful, effective fraternal organization.
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practicing
Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who are at least 18
years old. A practicing Catholic is one who lives up to the
Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church.
Application blanks are available from any member of the
Knights of Columbus.
Any Knight will help you in "How to Join"
Qualifications for membership in the Fourth Degree are: membership in the Knights for at least six months and being a Third Degree Knight. The primary purpose of the
Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism by
promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty
to the Knights' respective countries through active
membership in local Fourth Degree groups (called
"assemblies"). Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as
honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity
that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of
Columbus.
The Ladies Auxiliary's main function is to SUPPORT the men
and the council. They do this primarily by providing help at
events, cooking for events and providing monetary help. They
also generally do help with setting up and beautifying the
hall for events.
See one of our representatives for information about the Ladies Auxiliary in your council.
Under the guidance of Christian Brother Barnabas McDonald
(1865-1929), the first Columbian Squires circle was
instituted in 1925. Membership in the Squires is for Catholic
boys between the ages of 12 and 17. Squires' activities are
many, varying from spiritual to active service for the Church
and community. Each circle elects officer members from their
own rank, teaching skills of leadership and
responsibility.
Membership Brochure
Eleven Reasons Why to Join the Knight's Flyer