| Growth of the Knights
of Columbus On Oct. 2, 1881, a small group of
men met in the basement of St. Mary's Church on Hillhouse Avenue in
New Haven, Connecticut. Called together by their 29-year-old parish
priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, these men formed a fraternal
society that would one day become the world's largest Catholic
family fraternal service organization. They sought strength in
solidarity, and security through unity of purpose and devotion to a
holy cause: they vowed to be defenders of their country, their
families and their faith. These men were bound together by the ideal
of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of the Americas, the one
whose hand brought Christianity to the New World. Their efforts came
to fruition with the incorporation of the Knights of Columbus on
March 29, 1882. They were Knights of Columbus.
The Order has been called "the strong right arm of the Church," and
has been praised by popes, presidents and other world leaders, for
support of the Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic
education, civic involvement and aid to those in need.
Father McGivney's founding vision for the Order also included 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, annuity
and long-term care products to its members, along with many other
fraternal benefits.
The Supreme Council is the governing body of the Knights of Columbus
and is responsible for the development of the organization as a
whole. Supreme Council duties include establishing the Order in new
regions and setting up regional authorities, defining and advancing
its values and goals, undertaking organization-wide initiatives,
promoting awareness of the Knights' mission worldwide, and
protecting the families of members through its extensive insurance
program. Members working in local, or subordinate councils, however,
carry on the majority of the Knights' beneficial work.
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