several Councils within a larger geographic the Church.

Application blanks are available

area. The most visible members of the Order from any member of the Knights of The Knights of Columbus
are often the Fourth Degree Color Corps, with Columbus.
their colorful capes, chapeaux and sabers. All priests and religious brothers having What the Knights are all about
duly made application for membership and
Love of Church and Country participated in the ceremonials become The Knights of Columbus is a lay
Charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism— honorary life members of the Order and are Catholic family fraternal service organization.
these are the watchwords of the Knights of exempt from payment of dues. Membership in the Knights of Columbus is
Columbus. And, since 1882, Knights of Candidates join local units, called open to all practical Catholic men in
Columbus have backed up these words with "councils," most of which are based in one communion with the Holy See, age eighteen
actions. Knights of Columbus have helped to Catholic parish, or in the community at large. and above. The term practical Catholic
build and support the Catholic Church, from The candidate takes part in initiation degrees implies that a person accepts and abides by
the United States to the Philippines. Knights that explain the Knights of Columbus' four the Commandments of God and the precepts
have lived for their faith in Canada, and died principles: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and and tenets of the Catholic church.
for their faith in Mexico. Throughout the Patriotism. On October 2, 1881, Father Michael J.
history of the Order, in these and many other A candidate is considered a "Knight" McGivney, 29-year-old assistant pastor at St.
ways, Knights of Columbus have provided after taking his First Degree, but he is Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut,
immeasurable support to their families and encouraged to advance through the Second brought together a group of laymen with
communities, to their countries and the and Third Degrees and on to the Fourth whom he discussed his dream for a Catholic
Church. The Knights of Columbus has enabled Degree, whose members promote the virtue fraternal benefit society. It not only would
its members to strengthen and protect their of patriotism by serving in honor guards, assist widows and orphans of deceased
loved ones—spiritually, by developing their color corps and promoting respect for country members through its life insurance program,
faith, and financially, with the highest quality and the flag. but also would boost members' sense of pride
life insurance available, a product that has Knights of Columbus have a proud in their Catholic religion, then frequently
brought security and prosperity to millions of heritage. The qualified Catholic man can challenged in the anti-Catholic climate of
Knights and their families. share in this heritage and build for an even 19th-century America. Father McGivney and
Through their dedication to the ideals of greater future by affiliating himself with this his associates met several more times over the
the Order—Charity, Unity, Fraternity, forceful, effective fraternal organization. next several months to continue planning, and
Patriotism—and through their fidelity to the new organization -- the Knights of
Christ's Church and his Vicar, the Knights of For more information about the Columbus -- was formally launched in early
Columbus continue to be what they were Knights of Columbus February, 1882.
called long ago: "The Strong Right Arm of the [Link] The officers of the new Catholic
Church." organization chose the name Knights of
Columbus to honor Christopher Columbus,
Membership in the Knights the Catholic discoverer of America. The word
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is knights is also significant. We are ever
open to practical Catholic men in union with mindful of the knightly qualities of
Pope John Paul II Society of Evangelist
the Holy See, who are at least 18 years old. A P.O. Box 5584, Bakersfield, California 93388
spirituality and service to church that is
practical Catholic is one who lives up to the e-mail: info@[Link] Phone: 661 393-3239 embodied in the Knights of Columbus. The
Commandments of God and the precepts of [Link] Order has evolved into a service organization
Donation Welcome and Appreciated with a strong family orientation.
Pamphlet 070
 By the end of 1897 the Order was • A sense of pride, knowing that the elected Delegate represent every Council in
thoroughly rooted in New England, along the Knights of Columbus is second to none in the state at this Convention.
upper Atlantic seaboard and into Canada. support of our Holy Father, our Bishops and The highest level within the Knights of
Within the next eight years it branched out Priests, and our fellow man Columbus is the Supreme Council, headed by
from Quebec to California, and from Florida the Supreme Knight. At the Supreme
to Washington. Hierarchical Structure of the Knights of Convention each summer, State Deputies and
The Knights of Columbus remains Columbus Representatives from each State, Territory, or
headquartered in New Haven, but is now All members of the Knights of Columbus Country meet to conduct business concerning
present with nearly 13000 Councils in the belong to a particular Council, and any group the international operation of the Order.
United States, Canada, the Philippines, of at least thirty men may apply to found a
Mexico, and several other countries. new Council in their area. The highest elected Ceremonials of the Order
One of the primary missions of the officer of each Council is the Grand Knight, There are four "Degrees" of Knighthood
Knights of Columbus is to support local who, with the other Council Officers, is within the Knights of Columbus. The
charities. We also support other fund raising elected by the membership each year. The initiation ceremonies into each of these
drives to aid local parishes and charities. Grand Knight appoints various Program Degrees (the ceremonies themselves are also
The Knights of Columbus promotes family Directors and Chairmen to run the Council's called "Degrees") are the only facets of the
values by providing numerous activities activities for the year. All Council activities Order which are not made known to non-
throughout the year that the entire family can except Membership activities, fall into one of members. Each of the Degrees is designed to
participate in. Additionally, the organization five Program Areas, each with a Director. exemplify one of the four Principals of the
provides an opportunity to ensure that a The five Directors of Church Activities, Order: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and
knight's family is provided for in the event of Community Activities, Council Activities, Patriotism. The Degrees must be taken in
his death. Family Activities and Youth Activities report order.
Here is short list of reasons you may want to a General Programs Director, who in turn Every applicant must take the First, or
to join the Knights of Columbus: reports to the Grand Knight. Membership, Degree before he can be
• An opportunity to become part of the Several Councils within the same considered a Member of the Knights of
world's largest Catholic fraternal organization geographic area are grouped together in a Columbus. Once he has taken his First
• A great way to make a personal District under the guidance of the District Degree, he becomes a member in good
contribution to the Church and community Deputy and his assistant, the District Warden. standing in the Order. To reach full
through charity and fraternity There are currently about 129 Councils Knighthood, members must also take the
• Active participation in Council organized into 27 Districts in the state of Second and Third Degrees, and all members
activities serves as a "school of leadership" Maryland. are strongly encouraged to do so. Members
which will enable you to develop qualities that The District Officers are appointed by the must have taken the Third degree to be
enhance your strengths and abilities State Deputy, the highest elected officer of elected to Council offices or to enter into the
• A sense of "belonging" in an the State Council. State Officers and Program Fourth Degree.
organization that shares your religious beliefs Chairmen are analogous to those at the Once a man has been a member of the
and brings to together like-minded men joined Council level and coordinate the activities of Knights of Columbus for a year and has taken
in a common cause all the Councils throughout the State. Each his Third Degree, he is eligible to join a
• Concerns for your family and your Spring, the State Deputy hosts a Convention Fourth Degree Assembly. The Fourth Degree
retirement years can be addressed by the to elect officers and conduct other State has its own structure separate from that of the
Orders optional, low-cost life insurance business. Every Grand Knight and one Council. Fourth Degree Assemblies gain their
membership from Third Degree members of