The Knights of Christ's Mercy

Knights of Columbus - A fraternal and beneficent society of Catholic men.

Thanks to the efforts of Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven and some of his parishioners, the Connecticut state legislature on March 29, 1882, officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society. The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity.

The Knights was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.

The history of the Order shows how the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican, brought about what has become the world's foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities.

The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 13,000 councils and 1.7 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan.

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus[1] and dedicated to the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. There are more than 1.7 million members in 14,000 councils, with nearly 200 councils on college campuses. Membership is limited to "practical Catholic" men aged 18 or older.[2]

Councils have been chartered in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, the Philippines, Guam, Saipan, Japan, Cuba, and most recently in Poland. The Knights' official junior organization, the Columbian Squires, has over 5,000 Circles. All the Order's ceremonials and business meetings are restricted to members though all other events are open to the public. A promise not to reveal any details of the ceremonials except to an equally qualified Knight is required to ensure their impact and meaning for new members; an additional clause subordinates the promise to that Knight's civil and religious duties.

In the 2006 fraternal year the Order gave US$143.8 million directly to charity (1.1 Billion in charitable contributions in the last 10 years) and performed over 68 million man hours of voluntary service. For their support for the Church and local communities, as well as for their philanthropic efforts, the Order is often referred to as the "strong right arm of the Church". The Order's insurance program has more than $60 billion of life insurance policies in force and holds the highest insurance ratings given by A. M. Best, Standard & Poor's, and the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association.

Other: Knights of Columbus

• Knights of Columbus.
• Texas Knigts of Columbus
• Massachusetts State Council Knights of Columbus
• Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus
• Seattle Knights of Columbus Council #676
• Knights of Columbus Arizona State Council
• Knights of Columbus - State NJ
• Knights of Columbus -- VA State Index -- Directory of Councils
• Knights of Columbus Nebraska State Council
• Knights of Columbus - Resurrection Council #11341
• Knights of Columbus - Illinois State Council
• Missouri State Council - Knights of Columbus
• The Knights of Kentucky Kentucky State Council - Knights of Columbus
• Knights of Columbus - West Virginia State Council
• Knights of Columbus - St. Joseph the Worker Council 12003
• Knights of Columbus - Tennessee
• Knights of Columbus Council 1799 - Marshfield, Wisconsin
• The Knights of Columbus of the State of Maine
• Knights of Columbus - California State Council
• Christ on the Mountain Council 7640 - Knight of Columbus
• Knights of Columbus - Ohio State Council
• Knights of Columbus - Pennsylvania
• Knights of Columbus - West Chester, PA

References

• http://www.kofc.org/eb/en/about/index.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_of_Columbus

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