The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization with over 2 million members worldwide. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families, and young people.

THE STRONG RIGHT ARM OF THE CHURCH

The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by a 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, in the basement of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Today, more than a century later, the Knights of Columbus has become the largest lay organization in the Catholic Church.

The Order has been called "the strong right arm of the Church," and has been praised by popes, presidents and other world leaders for support of the Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement, and aid to those in need. As recently as 1992, Mother Teresa of Calcutta praised the Knights in a speech on the occasion of her reception of the first Knights of Columbus Gaudium et Spes Award.

Thanks to the inspired work of Father McGivney—as well as that of millions of other Knights over the past century—the Knights of Columbus now stands at its pinnacle of membership, benefits and service. Currently, there are over 2 million Knights — more than any time in our Order's history. Together with their families, the Knights are nearly 6 million members.

From the first local council in New Haven, the Order has grown to more than 16,000 councils in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Panama, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan. These councils also include military, college, and 4th Degree Assemblies. Each year, the Order continues this strong growth.

VOLUNTEER SERVICE AND INSURANCE

As the Order has grown, its benevolence has multiplied. We continue to break all previous records for charitable contributions and volunteer service. In the past decade, the Knights donated nearly $1 billion to numerous charitable causes and nearly 400 million hours of volunteer service. In 2022, the Knights donated nearly $154 million and 48 million volunteer hours toward charity projects. Our focus in the coming year includes support of Ukranian refugees (over $19 million donated in 2022), Aid and Support After Pregnancy, support for sponsored Seminarians, Food for Families (over $10.4 million donated), Coats for Kids, Children with Special Needs, Disaster Relief, and others. 

Father McGivney's founding vision for the Order a life insurance program to provide for the widows and orphans of deceased members. The Order's insurance program has expanded substantially to serve more effectively the Knights' growing membership. Year after year, the Knights of Columbus has earned the highest possible quality ratings for financial soundness from A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. The Order provides the highest quality insurance and annuity products to its members, along with many other fraternal benefits.

CHARITY, UNITY, FRATERNITY, AND PATRIOTISM

Knights of Columbus are Catholic gentlemen committed to the exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism, and defense of the priesthood. The Order is consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and is unequivocal in its loyalty to the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth. It is firmly committed to the protection of human life, from conception to natural death, and to the preservation and defense of the family. It was on these bedrock principles that the Order was founded over a century ago and remains true to them today. 

BECOMING A KNIGHT

Candidates join local councils. In the case of Council #85 in Westborough MA, we are affiliated with St. Luke the Evangelist Church. 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 he 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, color corps and promoting respect for country and the flag. For additional information on what we stand for, please press this link:
 

Knights of Columbus: Core Principles and Degrees

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.
 

Information copyrighted & provided by www.kofc.org For more information about the Knights of Columbus, please vist the Supreme Council at www.kofc.org