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Brief
History of the Knights
The
Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by a 29-year-old parish
priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, in St. Mary's Church in New
Haven, Connecticut. Today, more than a century later, the
Knights of Columbus has become the largest lay organization in
the Catholic Church.
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.
Thanks
to the inspired work of Father McGivney—as well as that of
millions of other Knights over the past century—the Knights of
Columbus now stands at its pinnacle of membership, benefits and
service. Currently, there are over 1.6 million Knights of
Columbus—more than ever before. Together with their families,
the Knights are nearly 6 million strong. In addition, from the
first local council in New Haven, the Order has grown to more
than 12,000 councils in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the
Philippines, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Panama,
the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan. Each year, the
Order continues this strong growth.
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, the Vicar of Christ on earth. 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.
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Corpus
Christi
Altar
1999 |
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Memorial Mass
at the Holy Sepulcher Cemetery
1999 |
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Installation
of K of C Officers for year 1999-2000 |
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Knights
of Columbus Potluck dinner
1999 |
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