Who are these Men they call Knights?

The 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.

Started in 1882, by Father Michael J. McGivney, to offer solidarity and strength Catholic gentlemen and their families.  At that time, commercial insurance companies would not insure catholic gentleman and their families.  Father McGivney brought a small group of men together and started a pool of money for orphans and widows.  And Father named the group Knights of Columbus.

The Knights of Columbus are the largest Catholic lay organization of men in the world with over 1.7 million members worldwide in more than 11,000 councils.  The late great Pope John Paul II named the Knights of Columbus “the right arm of the Church”.  

In the past decade, the Knights have raised and donated nearly $1 billion to numerous charitable causes and volunteered nearly 400 million hours of service.  In addition to it's general fund raising the Knights of Columbus have contributed in very special and specific ways to the causes it supports:

• In 1981, established a $20 million “Vicarius Christi” Fund for the Pope’s personal charities.  Each year, the fund provides more than one million dollars in earnings.  To date, it has generated nearly $40 million.

• Provides satellite up-link costs for televising of Pope’s messages and masses to the world each year, especially during Christmas and Easter.

• Erected Knights Tower and Carillon of Bells at Basilica of Nat’l Shrine of Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.

• Provided immediate cash relief to the stricken areas of Hurricane Katrina.  An Order-wide message went out to all member councils to raise funds for Katrina victims and the rebuilding effort.  To date, $11.2 million has been donated of the $25 million pledged.