Knights of Columbus

Overview

The Knights of Columbus is a global Catholic fraternal service order founded by Blessed Michael J. McGivney in 1882. It was initially established as a mutual benefit society for working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States, but it has grown to support a wide range of Catholic social causes and charitable activities worldwide.

History

The Knights of Columbus were established on March 29, 1882, at St. Mary's Parish in New Haven, Connecticut. McGivney's vision was to create an organization that would provide insurance benefits to members, thereby caring for the widows and orphans of deceased members, a significant concern during a time when many Catholics faced discrimination and lacked access to such social services.

In the early 20th century, the organization expanded beyond Connecticut and the United States, establishing its first international councils by 1905. Over time, the Knights have played an active role in supporting Catholic education, providing relief to soldiers in wars, and advocating Catholic ethics on public policy issues.

Activities

Charity

Charity is a core principle of the Knights of Columbus. In recent years, the organization has donated millions of dollars and millions of volunteer hours to various charitable projects. Their charitable activities include:

• Disaster Relief: Providing aid to victims of natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes. This includes significant support for refugees fleeing conflict.
• Refugee Relief: The Knights have provided extensive support to persecuted Christians and other minorities in the Middle East and refugees crossing into the United States.
• Support for People with Disabilities: The Knights have a long tradition of supporting those with physical and developmental disabilities, notably through their support of the Special Olympics.
• Health Initiatives: Initiatives include a national blood drive, funding for ultrasound machines to support pro-life efforts, and other health-related programs.
• Education: The Knights offer scholarships for seminarians and students at Catholic institutions.

Financial Services

The Knights of Columbus operate a well-regarded insurance program, offering permanent and term life insurance, annuities, long-term care insurance, and disability insurance. This insurance program is exclusively for the benefit of members and their families and is highly rated by financial services organizations.

Organization and Membership

As of 2024, the Knights of Columbus reported having over 2.1 million members worldwide. Membership is limited to practicing Catholic men, although women can participate through auxiliary organizations like the Columbiettes. The organization is structured around four degrees, reflecting its principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism.

Leadership

The order is currently led by Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly. The Knights of Columbus also have institutional ties with the Catholic Church, as seen in their support for Vatican initiatives and their role in advocating Catholic social teachings.

Notable Philanthropy

One of the Knights' notable philanthropic efforts is their support for the Ukrainian people during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. They provided substantial humanitarian relief, including food, clothing, and transportation assistance. The Knights' charitable efforts extend to a wide range of causes, from refugee support to education and healthcare initiatives.