State Deputy’s Message – February 6

Brother Knights, 

Late-19th century the growing fraternal benefit societies marked Connecticut, anti-Catholic prejudice and dangerous factory working conditions that left many families fatherless. Recognizing a need in his community, Father Michael J. McGivney, the 29-year-old assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., gathered a group of men at his parish on October 2, 1881. He proposed establishing a lay organization to prevent Catholic men from entering secret societies antithetical to Church teaching, uniting Catholic men and helping families of deceased members.

To demonstrate their loyalty to their country and faith, these men took Christopher Columbus — recognized as a Catholic and celebrated as the discoverer of America – as their patron. The Knights of Columbus elected officers in February 1882 and assumed corporate status on March 29.

In addition to the Order’s benefits, Catholic men were drawn to the Knights because they emphasized serving one’s Church, community and family with virtue. Fraternity and patriotism were added to the Knights’ founding principles of charity and unity in 1885 and 1900, respectively.

1882: The Knights of Columbus was born on February 6, 1882, when the first members chose Columbus as their patron. Immediately after the Order’s March 29 incorporation, Father McGivney sends a diocesan-wide appeal for new members to priests. Today, yesterday and tomorrow we will continue as a group of dedicated Catholic men standing together in Unity, 

Larry Packet, State Deputy, Saskatchewan