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  POPE PIUS XII COUNCIL #4422

  Knights of Columbus

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About the Knights of Columbus

We're the world's largest Catholic fraternal organization. Over 1.6 million members in 12,500 councils in 11 countries. Make that 12 Countries-as of June 6, 1999,  Yokosuka Council #12488 began operations, making it the First KofC Council in Japan

"Why, that's a nation! The Nation of Columbus! You should have representation in the United Nations!"

--Pope John Paul II

The Knights serve the Catholic church, the local communities, and our respective countries with the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism.

In the early 1880s Reverend Michael J. McGivney called together a small group of Catholic men to organize a Catholic, fraternal society. The group had initially three purposes: to help Catholic men remain steadfast in their faith through mutual encouragement; to promote closer ties of fraternity among them; and to set up an insurance system so that widows and children of group members who would die would not find themselves in dire straits.

Because he wanted to tie Catholicism and Americanism together, Fr. McGivney suggested "Sons of Columbus" to honor Christopher Columbus. But many of the men in the group were Irish-Americans who fought in the Civil War. They wanted a name that would symbolize Knightly ideals of spirituality and service to the Church, country, and fellowmen.

Thus on March 29, 1882, the Connecticut legislature granted a charter to the Knights of Columbus, formally establishing it as a legal corporation. The Order's original principals were Charity and Unity. Fraternity was added in 1885, Patriotism was added in 1899.

Fr. McGivney himself installed the first officers, and council # One, San Salvador, was established in May 1882. Fr. McGivney also served as Supreme Chaplain. His younger brothers, Monsignors Patrick and John McGivney, also served as Supreme Chaplains.

The first Supreme Knight was James T. Mullen. He served from 1882 to 1886, and during his time he designed the Knights of Columbus logo: a Formee' cross (representing the cross of Christ), On it was a shield (associated with a medieval knight). On the shield would be a vertical standing fasces (a Roman symbol of authority) an anchor (the mariners symbol of Columbus), and a sword (a weapon of the Knight when engaged in an errand of mercy).

"tell your sons, your nephews, your grandsons, tell the people that the pope loves the Knights of Columbus!"

-- Pope Paul VI

We're committed to preserving the family and defense of the priesthood. We subsidize grants towards the education of seminarians. We've provided financial support for Catholic education since 1904. We're in solidarity with our priests!

The Knights also support Morality in Media in their fight against pornography. We're firmly Pro-Life from conception to natural death. We March for Life every January in Washington DC. We've raised millions of dollars for Pro-Life.

In 1999 the Knights raised $108.9 million for charities, an average of $68.06 per member. We also fund many of the pope's international broadcasts. We underwrote the renovation of St. Peter's Basilica, erected the Knights tower at Washington DC's Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. We also raised money to build playgrounds for needy children in Rome. The Knights also donated 55.3 million man hours of personal services to the Catholic Church, their communities, and their countries.

Many councils have either Columbiettes or a Ladies Auxiliary for women and also have a youth division, the Squires, for Catholic boys ages 10 through 18. We run a free throw tournament each winter for Boys and Girls ages 10-14. Many colleges also have councils. Here on Long Island the Unites States Merchant Marine Academy have a council on their Kings Point campus.

In 1922 Oregon proposed a law preventing children from attending parochial and private schools. The proposal was ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court, due to a lawsuit supported by the Knights of Columbus. The Knights also petitioned Congress for two years to add the phrase "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance. President Dwight D. Eisenhower made it official on Flag Day 1954. He later thanked the Knights for their efforts.

We also offer life insurance benefits to members and their families, and in 1999, for the 25th consecutive year, Knights of Columbus Insurance has earned the highest possible quality ratings from A. M. Best, and Standard and Poors gave the Knights of Columbus Insurance "Superior" rating for the ninth consecutive year.

If you're a practicing Catholic male at least 18 years old, you're welcome to join the Knights of Columbus. Check our links for a council near you.

"Gentlemen of the Knights of Columbus, you do not possess royal titles, nor regal purses, but . . . you possess royal hearts, and deserve the noble title which you bear. May you increase in numbers and in usefulness, and may you continue to merit in the future, as you have deserved in the past, the confidence and support of the prelates and clergy of the United States"