Father Michael J. McGivney

Father Michael J. McGivney, who was a 29-year-old parish priest at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut, founded the "Knights of Columbus" in 1882. The "Knights of Columbus" has become the largest lay organization in the Catholic Church. 
 

"The Strong Right Arm of the Church"

The Order has been called "The Strong Right Arm of the Church" and has been praised by popes, presidents and other world leaders. It has been recognized for:

• It's support of the Church
• Programs of evangelization
• Catholic education
• Civic involvement
• Aid to those in need

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

In 1992, Mother Teresa of Calcutta praised the Knights in a speech on the occasion of her reception of the first Knights of Columbus Gaudium et Spes Award.

Thanks to the inspired work of Father McGivney; and millions of other Knights over the past century; we have now reached a membership of more than 1.6 million Knights of Columbus. Together with our families, the Knights number nearly 6 million. The Order has grown to more than 12,000 councils in Canada, Cuba, The Dominican Republic, Guam, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, The Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saipan, The United States, and The Virgin Islands. 
 

Volunteer Service and Insurance

As the Order has grown, its benevolence has multiplied. The Order continues to break all previous records for charitable contributions and volunteer service. In the past decade, the Knights donated nearly one billion dollars to numerous charitable causes and nearly 400 million hours of volunteer service. In 1999 alone, the Knights donated nearly 109 million dollars and 55 million volunteer hours to charitable causes. 

Father McGivney's founding vision for the Order also included establishing a life insurance program to provide for the widows and orphans of deceased members. The Order's insurance program has expanded substantially to serve more effectively the Knights' growing membership. Year after year, the Knights of Columbus has earned the highest possible quality ratings for financial soundness from A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. The Order provides the highest quality insurance and annuity products to its members, along with many other fraternal benefits.
 

Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism

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
• 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.
 

Join this great organization?

If you want to join this great organization of Catholic men, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Helotes, Texas has a local council. There you will find brother Knights working to fulfill the central mission of the Order.

• Striving in charitable works
• Serving the Church and unified in following its teachings
• Supporting brother Knights in their temporal and spiritual needs
• Acting for the good of their country
• And giving aid to widows, orphans, the sick and the poor

Father McGivney's vision

This has been Father McGivney's vision perpetuated today in the hearts of his brother Knights and all of those whom they touch.

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