Squires Circle
We urge any Catholic boys
between the ages of 10 and 18 who would like information on joining us to
contact us.
Phil
Fredericks is the Chief Counselor of the Squires Circle.
About
The Columbian Squires was created from the vision of Brother Barnabas McDonald,
FSC. Born in Ogdensburg, NY in 1865, Brother Barnabas entered the Christian
Brothers novitiate in 1885. After spending years improving conditions in
institutions and foster families for needy boys, he was appointed to head the
Boys Life Bureau of the Knights of Columbus, and asked to develop a youth
organization for the Order.
Through his efforts the Columbian Squires program was conceived and, on August
4, 1925, at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Supreme Council in Duluth, Minn., the
very first investiture was held and Duluth Circle 1 was instituted.
Beginning in 1924 Brother Barnabas spent several years teaching a graduate
course at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana and conducting seminars on
working with young people. In 1829 Brother Barnabas died at age 64. He is buried
at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY. A short distance from his grave
stands a large cross erected in his honor by the members of the organization he
founded 75 years ago.
Approximately 30,000 Squires belong to more than 1,000 Circles. The Squires are
active throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Puerto
Rico, and Guam. Squires´activities are many, varying from spiritual to active
service for the Church and community. Each circle elects officer members from
their own rank, teaching skills of leadership and responsibility. The year 2000
marked the 75th anniversary of the Squires — 75 years of providing support to
thousands of young men on their way to adulthood.
The Columbian Squires program was begun in order to give young men a better
opportunity in life – a chance to receive the leadership training and the
spiritual and moral guidance they will need in order to succeed. Many different
types of organizations for young men exist in today’s world; what makes the
Squires different?
- The purpose of the Squires program is to develop young men as Catholic
leaders who understand their religion, who have a strong commitment to the
Church and who are ready, willing and capable of living their lives in the
manner of the youth Christ.
- A Squires circle is designed to be run both by and for young men. If a
squire is to be a leader, he must, to the degree that he is able, be given
the opportunity to lead. In the Squires, he is given this opportunity.
- The Squires is an athletic team, a youth group, a social club, a cultural
and civic improvement association, a management training program and a
spiritual awareness course all rolled into one. The Columbian Squires
program is well rounded, because our Church and nations need well rounded
men who can lead.
The above three points make the Columbian Squires different from most other
youth organizations in the world today. Finally, the uniqueness of the Columbian
Squires is enhanced even more by association with the Knights of Columbus.
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