| Become a Knight Why Join the Knights of Columbus? Imagine being part of an organization that fills your heart and mind with the joy of giving to others and the feeling that comes with making a difference. Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to supporting the Church while making their community a better place. Being a Knight is more than camaraderie – it is involved with your community, it is supporting local parishes, and enhancing faith. Knighthood is about protecting and enhancing family life. The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with over 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. As a member of the Knights of Columbus, you and your family enjoy many benefits, including 12 free issues annually of Columbia magazine, the world’s largest Catholic family magazine, eligibility to join the Knights of Columbus’s top-ranked life insurance program, and many more family and personal benefits. If you’d like to make a difference in our church, and community, and achieve personal growth, membership information may be obtained from any officer. |
History of the Knights
Founded on the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity, the Knights of Columbus was established in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., and a group of parishioners. Their intent? To bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled, and needy members and their families.
The Order has been called “the strong right arm of the Church” and has been praised by popes, presidents, and many 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 at her reception of the first Knights of Columbus Gaudium et Spes Award.
Thanks to the inspired work of Father McGivney, as well as the millions of other Knights over the past century, the Knights of Columbus now stands at its pinnacle of membership, benefits, and service. Together with their families, the Knights are 6 million strong. In addition, from the first local council in New Haven, the Order has grown to more than 12,000 councils in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Panama, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan. Each year, the Order continues this strong growth.
OUR MISSION
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CHARITIES
With your support, Knights of Columbus is able to impact the lives of countless individuals in need, around the nation and around the world. Whether providing aid to those affected by disasters, supporting persecuted Christians, assisting mothers and babies in need, or more, your contributions make a profound difference. 100% of your donation goes directly to those we serve through our charitable programs.
OUR FAITH
Our goal is to help men, their families, and their parishes grow closer to Christ. Through our programs and resources, we provide opportunities to live and spread the Catholic faith.
OUR PROGRAMS
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A KNIGHT – MEMBERSHIP
We are Catholic men who lead, serve, protect and defend. We share a desire to be better husbands, fathers, sons, neighbors, and role models and to put charity and community first.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS INSURANCE
The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal benefit society, which means we can provide financial security to members and their families while turning premiums into charitable impact. As a Knights of Columbus insurance agent, you have the opportunity to grow in your faith and help your community every day.
INVESTMENTS ALIGNED WITH YOUR FAITH
Trust Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors to help you and your family pursue your financial goals using a wealth of investment products that suit your life and your faith.
THE WORLD NEEDS MORE KNIGHTS
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. The Order 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.
If you want to join this great organization of Catholic men, please consider joining our Council, or a Council near you. Here you will find brother Knights working to fulfill the central mission of the Order: striving in charitable works; serving the Church and unified in following its teachings; supporting brother Knights in their temporal and spiritual needs; acting for the good of their country; and giving aid to widows, orphans, the sick and the poor. This is Father McGivney’s dream, echoing across the century, and living today in the hearts of his brothers and all of those they touch. Vivat Jesus!