Knights of Columbus Council #2208 at 174 N. Main Street, New Haven, KY 40051 US - The History of the Knights of Columbus
| The History of the Knights of Columbus |
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On October 2, 1881, a small group of men met in the basement of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Called together by their parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, these men formed a fraternal society that would one day become the world's largest catholic family fraternal 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 idea 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, cardinals, bishops, priests, religious, presidents, and other world leaders, for support of the Church, programs of evangelization and catholic education, civic involvement, and aid to those in need.
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 Knight's mission worldwide, and protecting the families of members through its extensive insurance program. Members working in local councils or units, however, carry on the majority of the Knight's beneficial work.