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. The intent was
to bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled and needy members
and their families.
Father McGivney was Beatified on
October 31, 2020. The beatification Mass
was celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford, Connecticut, with
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin presiding on the Pope's behalf.
This lay order was founded on the principles of Charity, Unity and Fraternity. Later
the principle of Patriotism was added, to encourage active Catholic citizenship
and foster the spirit of patriotism in members and the community at large.
The Knights by the numbers:
- More than 2,000,000
members in 17 countries and donations worldwide totalled $175,079,192 and close
to 74 million hours of service.
- In BC and Yukon alone
there are 12,500 members. In Canada donations were $22,241,473 and gave over 9
million hours of service.
Father McGivney’s vision for the Knights of Columbus was also to offer low-cost
life insurance to the immigrant families of his parish that faced destitution
if the breadwinner died. Today, the order’s insurance arm has grown into one of
the strongest, triple-A rated financial corporations in North America. Because
it is a charitable corporation, its profits are used to support the Catholic
Church and many charities.
Internationally, the Knights provide scholarships to seminarians and the
children of brother Knights, purchase ultrasound machines for pregnancy centres,
purchase wheelchairs and prosthetics, and fund research into Lou Gehrig’s
disease. They restored St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Locally, the Knights of St. Pat’s provide bursaries to the students of St.
Patrick’s School and scholarships to the students of St. Andrew’s High School.
Its members volunteer their time to support a wide range of Church and
community activities like assisting Father William with the liturgy and
administration of the parish, supporting the elderly and disadvantaged in the
community, sponsoring and coaching sports teams, and much more.
Membership in the order is open to practicing Catholic men who are at least 18
years old. St. Patrick’s Council, No. 7934, received its charter on February
13, 1982. It currently has approximately 110 members. The council normally meets
on the first Thursday of every month, during the pandemic, meetings have continued virtually.
Through the Knights, Father
McGivney gave Catholic laymen a new opportunity – the chance to grow in
holiness while contributing to their parishes, communities and the security of
their families. Now is the right time to become a Knight.
Why join the Knights of Columbus?
If you’re interested in helping
those in need, serving your parish, growing in your faith or having exclusive
access to top-rated insurance protection for your family, then the Knights of
Columbus is the organization for you.
These are just some of the
reasons to become a Knight.
We are a band of brothers, a
network of men in communities around the world dedicated to doing good in the
service of God and our neighbour.
Contact Grand Knight - Michael O'Neill: mikepmoinvest@gmail.com
For further information to learn
more, log onto the order’s website - www.kofc.org
