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The Vision of
Father McGivney Founded by Father Michael J. McGivney, curate at St.
Mary's parish in New Haven, Connecticut, the Knights of Columbus was chartered
on March 29, 1882, in the State of Connecticut. As the priest explained to a small group of men at a
meeting in the basement of St. Mary's Church in October 1881, his purpose in
calling them together was manifold: to help Catholic men remain steadfast in
their faith through mutual encouragement: to promote closer ties of fraternity
among them: and to set up an elementary system of insurance so that the widows
and children of members in the group who might die would not find themselves in
dire financial straits. The founder and first officers of the fledgling
organization chose the name "Knights of Columbus" because they felt that, as a
Catholic group, it should relate to Christopher Columbus, the Catholic
discoverer of America. This would emphasize that it was a Catholic who
discovered, explored, and colonized the North American continent. At the same
time "Knights" would signify that the membership embodied knightly ideals of
spirituality and service to Church, country and fellowman. By the end of 1897 the Order was thoroughly rooted in
New England, along the upper Atlantic seaboard and into Canada. Within the next
eight years it branched out from Quebec to California, and from Florida to
Washington. From such promising beginnings Father McGivney's
original group has blossomed into an international society of more than 1.5
million Catholic men plus their families in more than 10,000 councils who have
dedicated themselves to the ideals of Columbianism: Charity, Unity, Fraternity,
and Patriotism. Today members of the Order are found in the United
States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Panama, Cuba,
Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. They belong to
many races and speak many different languages. They are diverse, yet they are
one. Their diversity spells creativity: their unity spells strength. The Knights' creativity is manifested in numerous
programs and projects directed to the benefit of their fellowman. Their strength
assures that these programs are operated effectively and brought to positive
conclusions. Since assuming leadership of the Order in January
1977, Supreme Knight Virgil C. Dechant has embarked on a series of significant
projects designed to strengthen Columbianism, the Church, the Family and each
individual Knight. One of his first moves was to place his stewardship
under the patronage and protection of Our Lady, and he formalized this
dedication during a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception in Washington, D.C., soon after he took office. As a further concrete
sign of his devotion to the Blessed Virgin under her title, "Our Lady of the
Rosary," he implemented a plan to present a special "Knights of Columbus Rosary"
to each new member enrolled in the society. These have been distributed at the
rate of 10,000 per month since the program began. The "Pilgrim Virgin-Marian
Hour of Prayer" programs undertaken every two years have attracted millions of
participants to prayer services sponsored by councils in honor of Our Lady under
several of her titles. His other initiatives have gone far toward
strengthening the Order as it confronts the increasing secularism of our modern
age. He has renewed the Knights' pledge of loyalty and fidelity to the
magisterium and to the hierarchy of the Church in the countries where the Order
exists. He also has renewed the society's commitment to the pro-life activities
of the U.S. and Canadian bishops. The Order has donated more than $7 million to
the U.S. bishops' Pro-Life education and public information campaign to date. Among other thrusts, the Supreme Knight formulated a
program to maintain the involvement of the widows and children of deceased
members in the activities of the Order. A resolution passed at the 95th annual
meeting of the Supreme Council in August 1977 calls for the establishment of a
committee in every unit of the Order which shall be responsible for keeping
contact with widows and dependent children of deceased members. These children
will remain eligible for all educational benefits, such as student loans and all
the society's fellowships and trusts. Upon receipt of notice that a member has died, the
Supreme Knight sends a letter of condolence to the widow or next of kin,
informing them first of all that their loved one has been enrolled in a Mass
offered at St. Mary's Church, birthplace of the Order, one every day throughout
the year. Upon request, the widow's name is added to the list for COLUMBIA
magazine. State and local councils are encouraged to do the same for their
publications. They are also called on to extend to widows and their families any
scholarship or loan programs they may conduct. A renewed emphasis on family life seeks to involve
the member's wife and children in his commitment to the life of Catholic
knighthood. Their support for his promise to be a staunch Catholic layman is
essential if it is to be effective and long-lasting. The Order's Service Program
has been revised to permit more participation by the wives and children of
members and also to enable greater identification on their part with the Order.
The wives now can wear the Order's emblem in the form of jewelry and children
can wear it in badge form. A family activities director is an important part of
the "Surge ... with Service" program. His responsibility is to assure that a
number of activities and projects is directed specifically to the family and
that families are encouraged to take part in them. A major sign of the Order's active concern for the
future of the Church and the spread of the Gospel is the establishment of the
Supreme Council Vocations Program, now operating in all jurisdictions and
already showing promise of success in helping turn around the decline in the
number of candidates to the priestly and religious life. (Follow this link for
additional information on Order-wide vocations initiatives.) One of Father McGivney's initial objectives in
founding the Order, that of providing security for the widows and children of
deceased members, has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. The Knights of
Columbus insurance program offers its certificate holders a versatile portfolio
of protection -- all done "for Brother Knights by Brother Knights." The Knights of Columbus have a long and enviable
tradition of aid to Catholic education. As early as 1904 the Order endowed a
chair in American history at the Catholic University of America, Washington,
D.C., and later provided an endowment of $500,000 for graduate fellowships there
which still reaps its benefits today. W $2 million endowment established at the
1989 Supreme Council meeting to mark the bicentennial of the Catholic hierarchy
in the United States also benefits The Catholic University through its annual
earnings -- to date, some $675,000. The million-dollar "Father Michael J.
McGivney Memorial Fund for New Initiatives in Catholic Education" established in
1980 is devoted to fostering improvements through research and development.
Other programs offering scholarships and student loans are described
elsewhere... "Don't keep the Faith--spread it!" long has been a
guiding principle of the Knights of Columbus. More than $1 million is budgeted
annually by the Order for various projects of the Catholic Advertising Program. The Knights of Columbus funded the construction of
the campanile or Knights' Tower at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The bells for the tower were donated
by the Order as well. In keeping with the commitment to Our Lady's Shrine, the
Order established the "Luke E. Hart Memorial Fund" in 1979 in the amount of
$500,000. Earnings are used to promote Marian devotion and to preserve the
beauty of the basilica in perpetuity. And it was the leadership of the Knights which
finally succeeded in having the words "under God" inserted in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the American Flag. Beginning in 1984, the Order collaborated with
Reverenda Fabrica di San Pietro (R.F.S.P.) on the complete restoration of the
facade of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, a task that was much needed because of
the deteriorated condition of this centuries old massive edifice. Over a period
of 20 months, the entire structure was cleaned; travertine blocks and plugs were
inserted wherever the original stone was beyond repair. The 13 statues at the
summit of the Basilica were repaired and strengthened; and the two massive
mosaic clocks at either extremity of the facade were completely redone, as were
the five iron gates at ground level. In gratitude to the Order for this tremendous
undertaking and accomplishment, our Holy Father Pope John Paul II presented to
the Knights the actual cross which was held since the Basilica's construction in
the arms of the statue of Jesus the Savior at the pinnacle of the facade. This
cross now hangs on the third floor of the Supreme Council office building along
with drawings and pictures showing the facade restoration itself. His Excellency
Archbishop Lino Zanini, with whom we collaborated on all of these efforts,
indicated that the Holy Father himself deemed it suitable that this cross be
entrusted to the care of the Knights of Columbus because of our solicitude for
St. Peter's, the structure recognized throughout the world as best symbolizing
our Catholic faith. In 1986 the decision was made to repair and restore
the two gigantic statues of Sts. Peter and Paul which stand on either side of
the facade in St. Peter's Square. This work was successfully completed and the
Order decided to complete our collaboration in the facade restoration by
agreeing to underwrite the repair of two ancient rooms located in the facade.
The first of these two rooms was used by the architects during the facade's
construction; the second was used by the craftsmen who fashioned many of the
frames which decorate the art masterpieces of the Vatican. One of these stanze,
as they are called, will be used as a study for the architects; the second as a
general archive for the drawings of St. Peter's and the facade. They also will
house a library of every technical or historical-artistic acknowledgment of the
Basilica published in various languages throughout the centuries. This
restoration is dedicated to the memory of Count Enrico Galeazzi, who at his
death in 1986 was Architect of the Apostolic Palace, Regular Architect of the
Reverenda Fabrica and our Order's representative in Rome for some 65 years. A
suitable plaque is mounted in one of the rooms attesting to this dedication. So that future generations will know what has been
accomplished in our day, this text has been engraved into a marble plaque
affixed to the back of the clock on the southeast section of the facade: Pope John Paul II, wishing to honor the prince of the
apostles, restored to its former glory the facade of the patriarchal Vatican
Basilica through the munificent generosity of the Order of the Knights of
Columbus A.D. 1986, Archbishop Lino Zanini, delegate of the R.F.S.P.
The Fraternal
Survey
Each year reports of the annual survey of fraternal
activity conducted for the National Fraternal Congress of America reveal an
impressive Knights of Columbus donation of time, money and energy. In one recent
year alone, for example, with approximately 78% of all units reporting, the
Order generated $94 million and 43 million volunteer hours of service for
charitable causes. In the category of charitable or benevolent
disbursements, including assistance to the sick, handicapped, disaster victims,
hospitals and other institutions, civic and community projects, schools and
libraries, the Knights contribute in the area of $80 million, in addition to
substantial amounts from the Supreme Council. Another $48 million is spent on
activities, in addition to $12 million for work with young people. The Knights also average 4.3 million visits to the
sick and bereaved, give 300,000 donations of blood, contribute 43.3 million
volunteer hours of community service and 6.2 million hours of labor for sick or
disabled members. In a world where the golden rule - "Do unto others as
you would have them do unto you" - sometimes becomes "Do unto others before they
do unto you," the Knights of Columbus stands out as an organization that takes
fraternity seriously. The dictionary defines fraternity as" the state or
quality of being brothers." lt also describes it as a "group of men joined
together by common interests" or "a group of people with the same beliefs,
interest, work." The Knights of Columbus form real fraternity in all
three senses. As practical Catholics, Knights carry fraternity to the limits of
love: unselfish service to their Church, country, community and council. Faith, fellowship, philanthropy. These are the
distinguishing marks of the Knights. This brief record of some of their
achievements shows that they have remained true to their heritage and that they
have continued to build on it for future generations.
Structure of the
Order
If the Knights of Columbus have grown so steadily and
strongly since their charter was granted by the State of Connecticut in 1882,
much of the credit can go to the firm structural foundation on which the
organization was established, and to the caliber of the men attracted to its
ranks. As a fraternal benefit society, the Order operates in
accordance with the laws relating to such groups. These regulations require a
representative form of government comprised of a supreme governing or
legislative body and subordinate branches. Members are elected, initiated and
admitted into the society according to the provisions of its constitution, laws
and rules. The society is governed by the Supreme Council, its
top legislative body. There are 64 state councils and several territorial
jurisdictions encompasing more than 10,000 subordinate councils to which more
than 1.5 million members belong. Groups of councils, ideally four or more in adjacent
or nearby localities, are formed into districts under a district deputy. The Supreme Council is composed of the supreme
officers (supreme knight, chaplain, deputy supreme knight, secretary, treasurer,
advocate, physician and warden); the supreme directors (a 24-member body elected
for three-year terms by the Supreme Council at its annual meeting);the past
supreme knights; the state deputy and the last living past state deputy of the
various state councils; and such delegates as are duly chosen by the state
councils. Executive authority is vested in the supreme
officers, who are elected annually by the supreme directors. The state councils are made up of the state deputy,
who is the representative of the supreme knight in each state, and other state
officers, the last living past state deputy, the grand knight and a past grand
knight from each subordinate council. Charters establishing subordinate councils are
granted upon completion of 30 members or applicants for membership. The
presiding officer is the grand knight. Titles of the other officers on both the
state and local levels are similar to those on the supreme level, with some
additions. In all there are 17 council officers, of whom 12 are elected to their
positions annually. Five others are appointed by the grand knight, including a
program director and a membership director. These men in turn appoint and
supervise various committees charged with council projects and membership
recruitment and retention. A new knight is encouraged to become active in his
council by making himself available for membership in one or more of these
committees. The council's financial secretary is appointed directly by the
supreme knight. It is the responsibility of the program director and
his church, community, council, family and youth directors to provide balanced,
attractive and effective activities for the members. There is no doubt that
participation in council projects and the experience gained in leadership
positions stand a man in good stead throughout his life.
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to
practical Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who shall not be less than 18
years of age on their last birthday. A practical Catholic is one who lives up to
the Commandments of God and the Precepts of the Church. Application blanks are
available from any member of the Knights of Columbus. Every knight is happy to
propose eligible Catholic men for consideration as members. Acceptance of the applicant depends upon a vote of
the members of the subordinate council in which he is making application. All priests and religious brothers having duly made
application for membership and participated in the ceremonials become honorary
life members of the Order and are exempt from payment of dues. Application for membership must be made through the
council in the community nearest the applicant's place of residence. Interested
prospects without a permanent domicile, such as men temporarily away from home
through duty in the armed forces, may make application through their hometown
council or at the nearest council on a military base. If favorably voted upon, the applicant becomes a
member by initiation known as the First Degree. He subsequently is advanced
through the Second Degree and the Third Degree. There are modest initiation fees and dues set by
subordinate councils under regulations established by the Supreme Council. The
insurance privileges are available to all members who can qualify, which
represents an important advantage of membership. For men in every walk of life
the name Knights of Columbus engenders the image of a united organization,
efficiently going about it tasks of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism and
defense of the priesthood. It is composed of men who are giving unselfishly of
their time and talents in service of God and their country. Membership in the Knights of Columbus provides
opportunity for wholesome association with congenial companions who are, first
of all, practical Catholic gentlemen. It offers the opportunity for fellowship
with those who are of the same belief, who recognize the same duty to God, to
family and to neighbor and who stand side by side in defense of those beliefs.
Programs are so organized as to appeal to the individual interest of the
members. Through many constructive activities of Christian fraternity, members
are enabled to render service to their Church, their country and their
fellowman. Through membership they develop a consciousness of their ability to
lead and to assist. Organized Columbianism, united behind the individual
Knight of Columbus, provides the power of an intelligent, alert body of Catholic
men -- a strength which the individual by himself cannot achieve. Knights of Columbus have a proud heritage. The
qualified Catholic man can share in that heritage and build for an even greater
future by affiliating himself with this forceful, effective body.
Another degree open to members of the Knights of
Columbus is that of the Fourth (or Patriotic) Degree. On February 22, 1900, the
first exemplification of that degree was held in New York City. The ritual added
patriotism to the three original principles of the Order: charity, unity and
fraternity. Any Third Degree member in good standing, one year after the
anniversary of his First Degree, is eligible for membership in the Fourth
Degree. The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster
the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and
loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active membership in local
Fourth Degree groups called assemblies. Fourth Degree members must retain their
membership as Third Degree members in the local council to remain in good
standing. Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor
guards at civic and religious functions, an activity which has brought worldwide
recognition to the Knights of Columbus organization.
Programs of interest and need are developed and
promoted from the Supreme Office of the Knights of Columbus in New Haven,
Connecticut. Special projects which serve particular needs and programs that
help to solve community problems are formulated and implemented throughout the
organization. Direction and assistance are offered to the members who share an
interest in the special types of programs. State and local councils are encouraged to
participate through their respective memberships. Ideas are developed and
programs designed by a professional staff of project planners at the Supreme
Office. Guidelines, suggestions, training aids and other
assistance are provided to the council leadership and membership to implement
the special projects on the state and local levels. Although the programs are
not mandatory, they do serve a specific need or offer a solution to a special
problem and are accepted by most councils. A number of these programs are described throughout
this booklet as an indication of the types made available from the Supreme
Council. By no means is the list complete nor does it contain any reference to
the variety of programs and projects conducted by local and state councils. The
reputation enjoyed by the Knights of Columbus was built on what the councils
have done and are doing.
Hundreds of thousands of members of the Knights of
Columbus have answered the invitation to participate in the Order's fraternal
insurance program. The Agency Department's motto "Insurance for Brother
Knights by Brother Knights," gives one insight into the program's success.
Organized in a day when the loss of a family's breadwinner was a tragedy
overcome only with great fortitude and sacrifice on the part of the survivors,
today's program has achieved success because its product continues to be "a
family affair." Members secure life insurance because they love their
families. They recognize that, through precise planning with the Order's
fraternal insurance counselors, they not only can provide for their loved ones
in case of death, but also can build up a substantial estate for retirement
years or to meet other needs. Consistently the amounts of money paid out in
dividends to living members surpass the benefits provided to beneficiaries upon
the death of a certificate holder. In one year alone, these amounts were $55.7
million in death benefits to the families of deceased knights and $158 million
in dividends to insurance members. The insurance-in-force has grown dramatically in
recent years. The first billion took over 75 years to attain. The $2 billion
plateau was achieved 11 years thereafter. The $3 billion level took less than
four more years. The $4 billion mark was attained within slightly over two more
years; $5 billion was reached in 1979; $10 billion in 1985; and the current
total, nearing $26 billion, is growing constantly. The Agency Department has set a goal designed to
bring the utmost in prompt, efficient service to every Knight and his family.
Part of this goal is to assure that, by increasing manpower, one full-time,
professionally trained field agent will be available for each 1,000 members. To
achieve this the Order has reached the number of nearly 140 General Agencies,
with over 1,200 field agents. However, a considerable number of field agents are
needed. Any member interested in such a career opportunity may obtain
information by contacting the general agent in his area. The Order offers a versatile portfolio of
family-oriented insurance plans presented by a staff of competent, concerned
professionals backed up by one of the most sophisticated computer systems now
operating in the insurance field -- thus the outstanding record of secure but
dynamic growth and development. Yet the Order's program remains a
family-atmosphere insurance "for Brother Knights by Brother Knights."
MEMBER/SPOUSE FRATERNAL BENEFIT In recognition of the numerous contributions made by
members of the Knights of Columbus, their spouses and families, to the welfare,
growth and fnancial stability of the Order through their varied activities of
fraternal and charitable works for the benefit of mankind; and in appreciation
for their efforts expended in recruitment and council development; it was voted
by the Board of Directors that a Member/Spouse Fraternal Benefit be given at no
cost to all members (and their wives) in good standing, belonging to councils of
and residing in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands or
Guam, provided that the member's council also is in good standing. The Knights of Columbus will pay a benefit upon the
death of a member or his spouse occurring within 90 days as the result of injury
sustained in a covered accident. Protection is on a 24-hour basis for accidents
that may occur anywhere in the world, during activities on or off the job, on
business, pleasure, vacation or at home, except for the exclusions listed. The accidental death benefit will not be paid if
death results from: suicide, self-inflicted injury while sane or insane;
sickness or disease (except bacterial infection resulting from accidental cut or
wound); war or act of war (declared or undeclared); flying, except as a
fare-paying passenger on a regularly scheduled airline; and injury from driving
or riding in a speed or organized contest. FAMILY FRATERNAL BENEFIT The new program of the Knights of Columbus makes
available to eligible family members five distinct types of assistance. Life Insurance Benefits -- The Order's various life
insurance plans are available through our agents for a healthy child. But what
about children who are physically challenged or mentally retarded? In these
cases, Knights of Columbus offers:
Death Benefits -- Knights of Columbus provides:
ORPHAN FRATERNAL BENEFIT Since the founding of the Order, Knights of Columbus
has been especially concerned about welfare of the child who loses both parents.
With this new program the Order once again demonstrates this concern for the
offspring of eligible families by providing the following two benefits: Benefit
Payments An Orphan Fraternal Benefit of $80.00 monthly is paid
for support of each eligible orphan until he or she reaches age 19, graduates
from high school, enters military service, marries, discontinues Knights of
Columbus insurance, or no longer attends school (except if he or she has a
disabling illness). If the orphan attends college or vocational/technical school
fulltime, the Orphan Fraternal Benefit can continue to age 23. The child may be eligible for up to $1,750 each year
in educational grants. The grants are based on financial need and will not
exceed a maximum of $7,000 over a four-year period. For a child to be eligible for these two orphan
benefits, the father must have been in good standing with his Council and at
least one parent must have been insured under a Knights of Columbus certificate. Your Knights of Columbus Insurance Representative can
provide the details. The Family Fraternal Benefit and Orphan Fraternal
Benefit programs are fraternal benefits and not guaranteed contractural life
benefits.
Personal commitment and direct involvement by the
Knights of Columbus are the aims and purposes of the "Surge ... with Service"
program developed by the Supreme Council staff. Adoption of the program on the
state and local levels makes the Knights of Columbus a Catholic, family,
fraternal and service organization. The Service Program is a program of action under the
direction of two men selected by the grand knight, as program and membership
directors. The grand knight, in consultation with the program director, then
selects others to fulfill the duties of church, community, council, family and
youth directors who appoint various committees to plan the projects and
activities in the council. Following guidelines and format designed by the
Supreme Council Department of Fraternal Services, a local and state council
immediately can put into operation many needed programs by proper use of the
talents and abilities of the membership. Flexibility allows local or state
selection of activities of interest to the members. Manuals and handbooks are
sent to the men selected to serve in the position of directors. Their names are
reported to the Supreme Office for a special mailing list of current and updated
information sent to them for use in their councils. Eighteen times a year an
issue of P.S. (Program Supplement), a volunteer services newsletter, is mailed
to each man. An informed and active membership is the goal of
every council. The Service Program is one means to that end. A program director
will provide the opportunity for activity and the membership director will
oversee the work necessary for retention of membership and recruitment of new
Knights. Awareness by the members of the beneficial features of the insurance
program is a responsibility of the membership director in cooperation with the
insurance representatives of the Supreme Council. Annual programs pertaining to membership retention
and recruitment have resulted in net gains in membership statistics. However,
more important than the numbers represented by the increases is the quality of
the new Knights. More and more Catholic men now realize that they can become
active and involved through membership in a local Knights of Columbus council.
To remain a viable force in the community and for the
Church, the talents and abilities of the members must be utilized effectively.
Ideas and suggestions can be put to good use only through efficient organization
of manpower. Once organized, training must commence. From the Supreme Council
come the aids that are necessary to teach methods of operation to the members. The Charter, Constitution and Laws of the Order comes
in booklet form and should be in the possession of every member. Handbooks and
manuals for particular leaders are available. These include a manual for grand
knights, a chaplain's manual, a vocations manual and a "Surge ... with Service"
manual which explains the Service Program operation. Manuals for ceremonials
work include one for the installation of council officers, initiation rituals
and a manual for district deputies. Ceremonials manuals must be obtained
directly from the Supreme Secretary's Office. A variety of videocassettes, films and filmstrips
have been produced for training purposes and for instructing non-members
concerning the Order's objectives and goals. New films are produced periodically
to demonstrate the idealism which motivates the fraternal society and the
practical activities open to the members. Productions have been distributed
throughout the Order on such topics as the district deputy, the Service Program
and special membership campaigns. Others are on the planning boards.
With some 1.5 million unborn babies being killed by
abortion each year in North America, Knights believe that there is no more
important objective they could have at hand than a Crusade for Life. Since the
infamous Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade in 1973 the Order has been in the
forefront of organizations seeking to defend the lives of the innocent unborn.
It is for the sake of these 1.5 million who cannot defend themselves that our
Order must intensify its campaign to turn the abortion mentality. The Crusade for Life asks each state and local
council to appoint a Pro-Life chair couple. The state councils will organize
pro-life Masses and participate in the national marches for life or organize
similar demonstrations in their jurisdictions. The chair couples schedule and
conduct pro-life sessions in their local councils. The main thrust under the Crusade for Life is
twofold. The first goal is to help pass legislation which would provide for the
right to life of the unborn. The second thrust is to overturn the Roe v. Wade
decision in the Supreme Court. This can be done by pressing for the confirmation
of justices, with all other things being equal, whose track records might
indicate that they would favor a pro-life position. If our members can help pass
pro-life bills in the legislatures and can press for the confirmation of
pro-life judges we will have made inroads against the plague of abortion in our
countries. The Order continues to help fund the pro-life
activities of the United States and Canadian Bishops. The Order also continues
underwriting the entire budget of the United States and Canadian Bishops efforts
to promote natural family planning. In addition we provide funding to the
natural family planning program of the Mexican Conference of Bishops. The Order has made two grants of $250,000 each to the
Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction in Omaha, Nebraska
where research is done to study natural family planning techniques in accord
with the Church's teaching. By way of assistance to the Bishops in their teaching
mission, the Order has underwritten periodic seminars on life-death issues which
are faithfully attended by members of the hierarchy of the United States,
Canada, Mexico and Central America. These workshops are held in Dallas, Texas,
and provide the Bishops with presentations on current moral issues; allows them
the opportunity to share experiences with one another; and also enables the
Bishops to get to know one another better. The Knights of Columbus profile of the pro-life work
shows how Knights are striving to protect the lives of the innocent unborn. The
Knights have donated millions of pieces of literature to Pro-Life groups and
have provided office space and manpower for Birthright, Right to Life and other
agencies through state and local councils. Committees on the state and local
levels coordinate members' efforts through ongoing programs, whether manning
display booths at regional fairs, sponsoring speakers' nights or hosting baby
showers for Birthright. Individual councils also honor legislators, governors
and other civic officials who take a pro-life stand; set up educational booths
to stress the sanctity of human life at various fairs; sponsor essay contests
for high school students; promote respect for life proclamations and organize
special memorial Masses on January 22, the date of the heartless Supreme Court
decision allowing abortions, in memory of the hundreds of thousands of unborn
innocents killed each year. In addition to these pro-life endeavors, the Crusade
for Life seeks to enlist all potential Catholic men as members of the Order to
become part of this campaign.
To show the Order's concern about the ongoing decline
in the number of candidates to the priesthood and religious life, the Supreme
Council Vocations Committee was formed shortly after Supreme Knight Dechant took
office in January 1977. Turning around this "vocation crisis," it was felt, was
an urgent task best undertaken by an organization of Catholic families such as
the Knights. In initial meetings, the committee expressed the
belief that each person has a vocation -- in fact, several vocations. Each
person is called to be holy; he or she is called to a state in life whether
married, religious or single; he or she is called to a career or profession. Brainstorming on this idea, the committee established
several goals in relation to its efforts among the faithful: 1) To create
awareness that God calls everyone by a special vocation to serve Him as cleric,
religious or lay person in the Church; 2) to motivate people to listen to and
respond to God's call; 3) to provide the proper spiritual and social climate so
that people will be able to hear God's voice and respond in freedom. The Supreme Council committee is responsible for
programs on an Order-wide level and for assisting state council committees in
their projects. Committees on the state level devise, organize and implement
programs within the jurisdiction. Each council is encouraged to establish an
active program on the local level, using the Vocations Handbook and the programs
therein as a starting point. To help those who may answer God's call, or already
have, the Order's student loan program has been broadened in scope to make
priests, nuns, seminarians, novices and postulants eligible for student loans,
even if not affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. Under the terms of the Refund Support Vocations
Program, (R.S.V.P.), the Supreme office reimburses $100 to councils and Fourth
Degree assemblies for each $500 spent on an individual seminarian or postulant
in pursuing their individual vocation. RSVP has contributed nearly $10 million
to more than 16,000 seminarians or postulants since 1981-82. Awards for "moral
support" are presented to councils which offer personal affirmation and
encouragement to a particular seminarian. The Vocations Program bears within it the promise of
hope for generations to come.
The Catholic Information Service promotes four kinds
of assistance to those seeking answers to questions about the Catholic religion:
advertisements in large-circulation Sunday supplements of secular newspapers;
free distribution of religious pamphlets to those answering the ads; a
correspondence course on the basic beliefs of Catholics; and individual
responses to those who seek confidential counsel. In April 1969, the board of directors voted to move
the correspondence phase of the Catholic Advertising Program, which had operated
in St. Louis, Missouri, since 1948, to the new Supreme Office headquarters
building in New Haven. Thus the full facilities of the various departments and
the manpower in the Supreme Office are in a better position to contribute to the
program. The Catholic Advertising Program can be reached by writing to: The Catholic Information Service Knights of Columbus
P.O. Box #1971 New Haven, Conn. 06521-1971 It is funded by the Knights of Columbus Charities
Inc., and by a semiannual membership assessment of 40. Many of the pamphlets
sent to respondents have been and are being revised continually. New art work
has been developed and a completely new home-study course is being sent to those
who request it. This course is somewhat different from other inquiry courses. It
is an informal reading course. Ten pamphlets have been selected as the basic
texts for the course. These cover, in a general way, the fundamental beliefs of
Catholicism. Along with the texts (two sent with each mailing) comes a series of
"optional choice" questions to reinforce the reader's knowledge of the material
learned through reading the texts. The Catholic Advertising Program was founded,
financed, promoted and has at all times been directed by the Knights of
Columbus. It has a glorious history and continues to be most highly commended by
bishops, priests and its beneficiaries, those who learn about the Faith. It is impossible to measure the full results of this
great program since its inception in January of 1948. Impressive statistics
showing over 8 million inquiries and more than 750,000 enrollments in the home
study courses over the years indicate the wide interest and popularity of the
program. But neither these results nor the generous financial contributions made
by the Order for its support can tell the whole story of its worth. How many
were led to the Church through reading the pamphlets and studying the courses
never will be known. Nor can statistics ever measure how much prejudice and
misunderstanding was overcome through the program's influence. Not only are the Knights of Columbus concerned about
young adults being able to attend college, as demonstrated through the
scholarship and student loan programs, but they have implemented a plan to allow
Catholic young men to associate with others through membership in a Knights of
Columbus council on their college campus. Membership in one of the nearly 140
college councils offers the student an opportunity to associate with fellow
Catholics, to participate in an active campus organization and thereby accept
positions of responsibility. It also enables him to become involved in the
college and local community through the activities and projects sponsored by the
council. A national conference of representatives meets
annually to discuss the particular situation of college councils and makes
recommendations for the growth and improvement of the college council program. Members in college councils are encouraged to
transfer their membership to the community council in which they locate after
graduation. Their field of education and their experience as an active knight on
the college campus can be of substantial benefit to the local council into which
they transfer.
Since their early days the Knights of Columbus have
been actively concerned for the welfare of youth. The organization stands second
to none in its commitment to and involvement with youths individually or
collectively though organizations. "Partnership with Youth" is the theme that
motivates ongoing programs in local and state councils. Boy Scout units, C.Y.O.
sponsorship, C.C.D. training, Little Leagues, Big Brothers, 4-H Clubs and many
others have been assisted financially and by manpower donated by the Knights. In the early 1920s the Order decided to organize and
sponsor its own youth program, known as Columbian Squires. This organization of
Catholic young men can be sponsored only by Knights of Columbus councils or
assemblies and has as its purpose the training of its members in the art and
techniques of leadership. It is literally the junior organization of the
Knights. The program is highly structured and operates internationally.
Opportunity to accept positions of leadership and responsibility is the major
attraction to membership in the Squires program. During the past few years Columbian Squires have
shown great interest in participating in projects that "bind" them together for
one common purpose. Since 1975 the Squires' "Crusade against Poverty" and
"Project Build" raised some $50,000 through the efforts and sacrifices of
circles and individuals. The Squires initiated an alcohol awareness campaign,
"Dying for a Drink?" The campaign received the Distinguished Service Award from
the National Commission Against Drunk Driving in 1987. More recently, the
Squires assisted the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus by donating over
$26,000 to help pay for the construction of an elevator at St. Mary's Church in
New Haven, Conn., the birthplace of our Order.
In 1944 the Knights of Columbus established its
millio-dollar Educational Trust Fund to provide a college education to the
children of members who were killed or permanently and totally disabled in World
War II. Later this benefit was extended to children of members who were killed
or disabled in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. In 1991 the benefits were further
extended to include the Persian Gulf Conflict. In 1970 this privilege was
developed further to include children of members of the Order who are killed or
permanently and totally disabled as a result of criminal violence while
functioning as law enforcement officers and in 1971 to those who were killed or
disabled as a result of criminal violence while performing their duties as full
time firefighters. These scholarships include tuition, board and room, books,
lab fees and other incidental expenses at the Catholic college of the student's
choice. Under provisions of the Pro Deo and Pro Patria
scholarship program, the Supreme Council annually awards $1,500-a-year
scholarships on the basis of merit to 62 members or the sons or daughters of
members in good standing or who were so at the time of their death. Twelve
scholarships are for use at The Catholic University of America, Washington,
D.C.; with preference being given on two of those twelve to Columbian Squires;
the remaining scholarships may be used at a Catholic college of the recipient's
choice with Columbian Squires receiving preference on two of those fifty. Twelve merit scholarships paying $1,500-a-year at
Canadian colleges or universities are awarded annually to the members of
Canadian councils or the sons and daughters of living or deceased members.
Similar benefits are available to members in Mexico, the Philippines and Puerto
Rico. The Supreme Council also has set up postgraduate
fellowships at The Catholic University of America. The fellowships are open to
lay men and women, both married and unmarried, and cover board, lodging and
tuition. Maximum tenure is four years, with a course in American history a
requisite. In 1973 the Supreme Council established the Bishop
Charles P. Greco graduate fellowships for specialization in the field of
teaching mentally retarded citizens. The $200,000 trust honors the Order's late
supreme chaplain for his pioneering work in the construction and maintenance of
Catholic-oriented facilities for mentally retarded individuals. The grant
provides $500 a semester and is renewable for a maximum of four semesters. An
eligible candidate must be a member of the Order or the son or daughter of a
member in good standing. The candidate also must be engaged in or planning a
full-time graduate study leading to a master's degree in the field of teaching
the educationally handicapped with emphasis on persons with mental retardation. With the purpose of improving performance in
achieving the objectives of Catholic education, delegates to the 1980 Supreme
Council established the million-dollar "Father Michael J. McGivney Fund for New
Initiatives in Catholic Education." Earnings from the fund support research
projects of vital importance to the U.S. and Canada through the auspices of the
National Catholic Educational Association with the approval of the board of
directors. These programs at the Supreme Council level combine
with other projects on the state and local level to total a multimillion dollar
orderwide commitment to students.
In 1971 the Order established a Knights of Columbus
Student Loan Program which already has made a multimillion-dollar commitment to
tens of thousands of young people seeking the opportunity to pursue a higher
education. The program is funded by the Knights of Columbus and
guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Under the program eligible students can apply
for an annual loan for each full academic year continuing for as many as five
years. Everyone eligible for a student loan qualifies for an interest subsidy
during the in-school period. Depending on the rate at which the loan is granted,
there also is a grace period after completion of studies before repayment
begins.
The Knights of Columbus won a notable victory for the
American people, and especially for the children of generations to come, by its
successful fight against the so called Oregon School Law. It began in 1922, when
a law proposed by initiative petition was enacted in Oregon which would prevent
children from attending private and parochial schools. Responding to an appeal from Archbishop Alexander
Christie of Portland, the Knights of Columbus provided $10,000 with which to
initiate a suit testing the constitutionality of the law to the Supreme Court of
the United States. The court ruled that the law violated the rights of American
citizens to educate their children in accordance with the dictates of their own
conscience. The Order also provided $15,000 to the Oregon State Council to
pursue a similar case involving private schools. It is due to that action that parents today are not
interfered with in the operation of their private and parochial schools and in
the rearing of their children in the manner in which they wish them to be
raised. Similarly the Order responded in more recent times
when a case arose in British Columbia that would place in jeopardy the rights of
the hierarchy to conduct its schools in a manner consistent with its beliefs. A
suit brought by the Manitoba bishops to secure public funding of denominational
schools in that province was also supported by the Order.
In 1920 the Knights of Columbus contributed $60,000
toward the erection of a gymnasium at The Catholic University of America. In the
same year a gift of $35,000 was made to the Cardinal Mercier Fund for the
restoration of Louvain University and its magnificent library in Belgium. In 1923 a gift of $38,000 was made to the Cardinal
Gibbons Institute for the care and education of minority children in Maryland. For more than 30 years, a correspondence school was
maintained by the Order providing instruction in 108 subjects for its widespread
membership and their families. More than 45,000 took advantage of these
benefits. In 1924 the Order, at its own expense, established at
the University of Notre Dame a course in boy-guidance to develop trained leaders
interested in the counseling of boys as a life work. For 15 years the Order
expended more than $400,000 in support of the program. It was discontinued only
when this type of training and instruction was made available in schools
throughout the country. More than 200 benefited from scholarships during this
period.
In 1921 the Knights of Columbus organized a
Historical Commission composed of respected educators to investigate and protect
the United States from propaganda designed to undermine a feeling of American
identity. As a result of this investigation, certain widely used history and
other textbooks read in schools were eliminated or rewritten to remove matter
misrepresenting historical facts or subverting American ideals. The Knights of Columbus Historical Commission
conducted a prize competition for studies in American history. Many notable
books on the subject were written as a result, including "Jay's Treaty," by
Samuel Flagg Bemis; "The Monroe Doctrine," by Thomas H. Mahoney; and "The
American States," by Allan Nevin. More than $60,000 was expended by the Order in
carrying out the work of the Historical Commission. In 1939 the Knights of Columbus contributed $10,000
to the Golden Jubilee Fund of The Catholic University. Over $100,000 was
contributed to the maintenance of the Catholic Radio Hour broadcasts from
Washington and Toronto.
The incredible range of devastation throughout Europe
during World War II underscored the possibility that at some future time the
precincts of Vatican City might fall prey to aggressors. Destruction of the Vatican library, art collections
and museum, the unrivaled depositories of the world's cultural treasures, would
constitute a tragic loss to both present and future civilizations. In the spring of 1951, word was received by the Order
that the Vatican would be receptive to suggestions about how such an eventuality
could be avoided. The Order began consultations and on receiving approval
initiated the monumental task of microfilming Vatican documents. This process
occupied the better part of eight years. Competent scholars first surveyed the manuscripts
involved to estimate the probable cost of the project. Next a committee of
world-renowned scholars was appointed to decide which documents should be
microfilmed. This accomplished, a master list of all the material necessary for
the microfilming on such a vast scale was compiled. By the spring of 1952 a completely equipped microfilm
laboratory, second to none in the United States and Europe, had been set up at
the Vatican and photographing had commenced. Under the supervision of personnel from St. Louis
(Mo.) University, 815,000 feet of microfilm, representing 11 million pages of
rare manuscripts, were recorded. The total number of manuscript cortices in
microfilm copies is 30,500. The Knights of Columbus Vatican Film Library, as it
now is designated, is located on the first floor of the Pius XII Memorial
Library at St. Louis University. The true importance of this library to the
universal scholastic community cannot be adequately described.
In 1977, Pope Paul VI requested help from the Order
to make feasible a project of collecting films of the Popes and of activities of
the Holy See dating back to 1897 when Pope Leo XIII was first filmed. These
films now are scattered throughout various public and private collections around
the world. The Holy See hopes to obtain copies of these films and gather them in
a special library in Rome. There the collection would be available to scholars
and journalists as resource material for newscasts and documentaries. The Order
has granted a sum of $10,000 to initiate a study on what films might be obtained
for this central library.
Every member of the Knights of Columbus receives a
monthly issue of the organization's magazine, COLUMBIA. Articles on a wide
variety of subjects of interest to members and their families are published
regularly. Projects and initiatives within the Order's far-flung membership are
described and illustrated in reports and pictures. The editorial page carries
informed comment on matters of current interest. Elected and appointed leaders -- officers and program
directors -- automatically are placed on a special mailing list when they are
reported to the Supreme Office. They receive KNIGHTLINE, a Supreme office
newsletter, which is designed to get fast-breaking news out into the field. They
also receive 18 issues of PS (PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT), a publication of special
interest to the officers and directors of the Service Program. It contains
current ideas, suggestions and guidelines to assist the program and membership
chairmen in the discharge of their duties. The SQUIRES NEWSLETTER is published monthly as a
medium of exchanging ideas and information of use to Squires circles.
Recognizing the need for Knights to become involved
in the battle against pornography, a program of partnership with Morality in
Media was launched in the late 1970s. Based in New York City, Morality in Media
is perhaps the foremost organization engaged in combating the spread of
pornography. State and local councils are encouraged to affiliate with Morality
in Media by taking out organizational memberships. Thus the councils benefit
from the expertise, information and services provided by Morality in Media while
assisting that organization in its work through their participation. The Order also assists Morality in Media by pledging
support for an attorney who directs its National Obscenity Law Center, a
clearinghouse of legal information for prosecutors engaged in enforcing
anti-pornography statutes. Members in Canada and Mexico support similar groups
in their own countries.
In 1920 Pope Benedict XV appealed to the Knights of
Columbus who raised $1.5 million to provide playgrounds for the needy children
of Rome. Since that time the Order has established seven such playgrounds. Five
remain open today. On May 10, 1959, Pope John XXIII visited the playground at
St. Peter's Oratory and, after expressing gratitude to all who bestow kindnesses
upon youth, noted particularly the "praiseworthy society of the Knights of
Columbus" who made these playgrounds possible. In 1966, learning that the
Vatican had expressed a wish to erect a Papal Audience Hall adjacent to St.
Peter's Basilica, the Order conveyed the property upon which St. Peter's Oratory
was located to the Holy See. The deed of gift for the land was executed and
delivered on July 1st of that year. Visitors to Rome have no difficulty in
identifying the remaining playgrounds marked by attractive modern signs showing
they were founded by the Knights of Columbus.
On June 30, 1966, two new 100-kilowatt short-wave
transmitters donated respectively by the late Francis Cardinal Spellman and by
the Knights of Columbus were dedicated at Vatican City and accepted personally
by Pope Paul VI. The transmitters still are in use, bringing programs
reflecting the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church to the four corners
of the globe. Under the aegis of the Catholic Advertising Program,
the Knights began a project in l975 of televising the pope to the world. The
programs utilize the four satellites placed in space by the International
Telecommunications Satellite Consortium (INTELSAT) of which the Holy See is a
member. The K of C pays the costs of beaming the programs to the satellites, and
also part of the charges for capturing the signal by TV stations in mission
lands. A minimum of three special programs are scheduled
each year. These include the Pope's Midnight Mass at Christmas, a series of Holy
Week ceremonies, and one other outstanding event of interest to Catholics
worldwide. In 1977, the canonization of St. John Neumann was broadcast to the
United States. Had it not been for the intervention of the Knights, this
historic ceremony in which the "little bishop of Philadelphia" became a saint
might never have been seen live in the U.S. The funeral of Pope Paul VI, the
Mass initiating the ministry of Pope John Paul I, his subsequent funeral and the
initiation of Pope John Paul II's pontificate all were brought to a global
audience of some half-billion persons under this program. Other specials included the uplink of the World Day
of Peace held in Assisi, and the canonization of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the first
Filipino saint, both in 1987. Delegates to the 1981 Supreme Council meeting
unanimously approved the creation of a $10 million fund (doubled to $20 million
in 1988), the "Vicarius Christi" fund, for the personal charities of the Holy
Father. Earnings of the fund are presented annually to the Pope in perpetuity;
the last presentation brought the total gift to more than $20 million. More recently, the Order has undertaken many projects
in support of the works of the Church. A brief description of some of these
initiatives paint a picture of unselfish generosity in promoting the Gospel
message. The Knights: presented a mobile television production unit to the
Vatican Television Center for the taping, recording and transmission of Vatican
ceremonies and provided $250,000 to update its equipment; established the $2 million Count Enrico Galeazzi Fund
for the Pontifical North American College for the benefit of the College, U.S.
and Canadian Bishops and its priest-students; the Father McGivney Fund for the
Collegio Pontificio Filipino; the Our Lady of Guadalupe Fund for the Pontifical
Mexican College; and the Father McGivney Fund for Advanced Studies of Priests in
Puerto Rico; underwrote the erection of the Chapel of Sts.
Benedict, Cyril and Methodius, co-patrons of Europe, and the expansion of the
Chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa, both in the grottoes of St. Peter's Basilica,
Rome; made a $2 million grant for the construction of the
chapel in the new headquarters of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops
dedicated to Mary, Mother of the Church, and identified as the "Knights' Chapel"
in honor of former Supreme Chaplain, Bishop Greco; and raised $1 million for the
Bishop de Laval Fund to help support the work of the Canadian Conference of
Catholic Bishops; contributed $250,000 to the National Conference of
Catholic Bishops for the Pope's 1987 pastoral journey to the United States, and
$100,000 to the program on Catholic education conducted by the National Catholic
Educational Association during his visit; have distributed millions of special Knights of
Columbus rosaries at the rate of some 10,000 per month, especially to new
members; support a multimillion dollar Student Loan Program
for members and their children pursuing higher education, with all seminarians
eligible; provide support for such varied apostolates as the
Eternal Word Television Network; the National Clergy Conference on Alcoholism;
Morality in Media; the National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities;
the National Foundation for Mexican-American Vocations; the National Apostolate
with Mentally Retarded Persons; provide $73 million-plus dollars in Church-related
mortgages to Catholic dioceses and institutions at low interest rates; renovated St. Mary's Church in New Haven, the
birthplace of the Order and entombed the remains of the founder, Rev. Michael J.
McGivney, therein on March 29, 1982. Completed the 110-year-old construction
plan of the church by erecting a 179-foot steeple, including a carillon of three
bronze bells, atop St. Mary's; allocated $900,000 to the Archdiocese for Military
Services, U.S.A., for the purchase of a chancery office near Washington, D.C.
Monies came from a fund established by the Order in 1987 to buy a chancery and
provide for Spiritual needs of armed forces and embassy personnel; and sponsor Mass daily for deceased brother knights at
St. Mary's Church in New Haven and enable widows of members to receive COLUMBIA
magazine each month.
Several jurisdictions conduct an annual "Pennies for
Heaven" campaign in which spare cents are collected from members at all council
meetings and activities and subsequently are totaled at the state convention.
Proceeds are used to support vocations programs. Almost every jurisdiction conducts a fund-raising
project with proceeds earmarked for mentally retarded individuals, with the
order-wide total approaching $15 million annually. The funds remain in the
states and communities in which they were raised. An easy-to-learn technique that can save countless
lives in emergency situations has been given widespread publicity -- and
practical application -- by many councils. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
courses have been showcased by councils, with the help of the American Heart
Association, to teach the technique to members and other interested citizens. Tens of thousands of boys and girls aged 10 through
14 take part annually in the Knights of Columbus International Free Throw
Contest. The project was initiated in 1974 when two state councils, North Dakota
and Florida, agreed to participate in a pilot endeavor. In 1975 it was expanded
to 10 jurisdictions and in 1976 went order-wide. Engraved trophies are presented
to the winners, who also receive recognition as they move through the council,
district and state competitions. Each youngster who signs up to compete receives
a certificate of participation. When it comes to community service, Knights are among
those who have not forgotten a segment of the population often otherwise
shamefully neglected: the elderly. Many councils have opened their homes and
facilities to weekly programs for senior citizens. Meals, socials, card and
bingo parties, dancing and arts and crafts are among the activities provided.
Our Founder, Father Michael J. McGivney, realized
that if the Order was to survive, it would need a firm foundation in the form of
a strong constitution, with laws and by-laws. The prudence of Father McGivney
proves itself as much in the growth of the Order to more than 1.5 million
members since 1882 as in the fact that the laws of the society have served it
well for over 112 years. It should be recognized that, because of the very
size of the Order, these laws are designed to cover any contingency that may
arise. In actual fact, however, a goodly number of the regulations -- especially
as they pertain to expulsion and suspension -- rarely, if ever, need be invoked.
Our society is one of fraternity, and members generally conduct themselves as
Catholic gentlemen and true knights. However, it is the exception that requires
the rule. An informed knight will secure a copy of the
"Charter, Constitution, Laws" for his own reference.
The road to Knighthood is one of ongoing preparation
and constant study. Subjects of this study are the truths of the Catholic faith
and a knowledge of the Order. Our principles of charity, unity, fraternity,
patriotism and defense of the Priesthood are derived from the truths of religion
and undergird our every activity. This little book offers a basic course in all a
Knight needs to know to become a proud, informed member. It is fitting then that
it also should contain a recapitulation of basic truths of that Faith so dear to
all Knights. Thus it will serve a twofold purpose: of explaining to members and
prospective members what the Order is and does; of providing a "refresher
course," a tool of evangelization, for the practical Catholic. 1.) The Apostles' Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was
conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius
Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third
day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, sits at the right
hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living
and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic
Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of
the body, and life everlasting . Amen. 2.) The Commandments of God are:
3.) The Commandments of God may be restated in
simpler form: the "Greatest Commandment." The "Greatest Commandment" is: You
shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole soul, your whole
mind and you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 4.) It is difficult for an unaided human being to
live up to the Commandments of God. To assist us in this regard Jesus has left
us the Church and the sacraments. The sacraments are signs instituted by Christ
to give grace. There are seven: Baptism, Penance, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation,
Matrimony, Holy Orders and the Anointing of the Sick. Baptism, Confirmation and
Holy Orders can be received only once because these sacraments leave an
indelible mark on the soul of the recipient. Penance, Eucharist, Matrimony and the Anointing of
the Sick can be received more than once. 5.) There are two kinds of grace. Sanctifying grace
makes us holy and pleasing to God. Actual grace helps us to do good and avoid
evil. 6.) The precepts of the Church are:
(Note: The first six are traditionally considered to
be the precepts of the Church.) 7.) The ordinary minister of the sacrament of Baptism
is a bishop, priest or deacon. In case of emergency anyone can validly baptize.
Water is poured on the forehead of the person to be baptized, and the words "I
baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" are
said while water Is flowing. 8.) Pentecost is known as the "Birthday of the
Church." On that day the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles, giving them the
graces they needed to go forth and teach the Gospel to all nations. This is one
meaning of the word "Catholic": the Church is found in every land, therefore it
is "universal," "worldwide." 9.) The seven capital sins are: pride, covetousness,
lust, anger, gluttony, envy and sloth. 10.) The gifts of the Holy Spirit are: wisdom,
understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. 11.) The rosary is a form of mental and vocal prayer
centered on mysteries or events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. The mysteries
are as follows:
St. James the Apostle said: "Faith without works is
dead." Today the saying is: "Practice what you preach" or "put your money where
your mouth is." All three versions stress that unless a person is
willing to back up his belief with concrete action he is on the wrong side of a
credibility gap. The Knights of Columbus practice their belief that
"faith without works is dead." This is evident from the approbation for the
Order expressed by Pope Paul VI. Speaking extemporaneously to the supreme
officers and directors at a special audience in the Vatican in 1973, the pontiff
said: "Tell your sons, your nephews, your grandsons; tell the people that the
pope loves the Knights of Columbus." Earlier the Pope had remarked: "Indeed you have been
brothers to the poor, to the sick, to the young, to the aged and to the
underprivileged. In the name of all those whom you have helped by your brotherly
compassion, we thank you from our heart." But the Holy Father did not stop there. "The glory of
the Knights of Columbus," he continued, "is not based on humanitarian works
alone. Even more admirable have been your insistence upon the supremacy of God
and your fidelity to the vicar of Christ. In truth you can call yourselves
"brothers" because you call God your Father and have declared yourselves ready
to do His will and serve His cause." In April 1978, at an audience granted to the Board of
Directors then meeting in Rome, Pope Paul VI called the Knights "an immense
force for good." "We rely on you," -- he continued, "on each of you,
on all of you, on the association itself, the Knights of Columbus -- to bring
holiness to the world, to live the Gospel values in your families, to transmit
them to your children with the infectious conviction of joyful faith. Christ
needs you to bring fraternal concern to your neighborhoods, to exemplify justice
in your communities, to spread peace and truth in the world." In his brief but glorious pontificate, Pope John Paul
II paid tribute to the Order in these words: "I give my blessing to all Knights
of Columbus: their families and all the work they do." At the private audience granted to the officers and
directors in Washington, D.C., in October 1979, Pope John Paul I was told that,
when family members are counted, the Knights of Columbus involves five or six
million people. "Why, that's a nation, " His Holiness exclaimed with
a smile. "The nation of Columbus! You should have representation at the United
Nations!" More seriously, however, he continued: "It gives me great pleasure to be with you on the
occasion of my pastoral visit to the United States. I thank you most sincerely
for the respect and love which you have manifested toward me as Successor of
Peter, Bishop of Rome and Pastor of the Universal Church. "In the person of the Supreme Knight and the Members
of the Supreme Board, I greet all the Knights of Columbus, the more than one
million three hundred thousand Catholic laymen all over the world, who display a
spirit of profound attachment to their Christian faith and of loyalty to the
Apostolic See. "Many times in the past, and again today, you have
given expression to your solidarity with the mission of the Pope. I see in your
support a further proof - if further proof were ever necessary - of your
awareness that the Knights of Columbus highly value their vocation to be part of
the evangelization effort of the Church. ... "I am aware of the many efforts you make to promote
the use of mass media for the spreading of the Gospel and for the wider
diffusion of my own messages. May the Lord reward you, and through your efforts
bring forth abundant fruits of evangelization in the Church. May your dedicated
activity in turn help you to realize in yourselves those interior attitudes
without which no one can truly evangelize: trust in the power of the Holy
Spirit, true holiness of life, deep concern for truth, and an ever increasing
love for all God's children. "May the Lord's blessing be upon you, upon your
families and upon all the Knights of Columbus." Pope John Paul II has spoken many times since then to
and about the Knights of Columbus. At an audience granted to the board of
directors during his 1987 visit to the United States, he said: "The Knights are
loyal to the Pope." For us, "These Men They Call Knights," this says it
all.
Columbia 12 free issues annually of the world's
largest Catholic family magazine. Catholic family evangelization at its best! Daily Mass Remembrance Mass offered daily for
deceased members at the Knights' Altar, St. Mary's Church, New Haven, Conn. Insurance Program Offers member, spouse and children
the opportunity to provide for their security and well-being. Rated AAA
(Superior) by Standard Poor's and A++ by A.M. Best. Annuity Program Enables member and spouse to provide
for retirement and build an estate through tax-deferred savings. Member/Spouse Fraternal Benefit Accidental death
coverage for member and spouse at no cost. Orphan Benefit 80 monthly allotment for orphans of
eligible families; up to $7,000 in college scholarships available. Family Fraternal Benefit F or eligible families: a)
Pays $1,500 for the child who dies before the age of 61 days; b) Pays $750 for
the child who is stillborn at least 20 weeks after conception; c) Offers
guaranteed-issue insurance up to $5,000 to any child under age 18. New Member Plan Offers a one-time low-cost whole life
policy to new members and their spouses upon joining the Order. Widow Benefits a) Continues to be covered under the
Member/Spouse Fraternal Benefit; b) May purchase insurance or annuities up to 90
days after insured member's death; c) Receives a free lifetime subscription to
Columbia; d) Eligible with her children for scholarships, student loans, etc. Scholarships/Fellowships Six different college
scholarships programs for members and their families; three different graduate
fellowship programs; and scholarship programs for seminarians. Matthews and Swift Educational Trust Fund Provides
full scholarships (tuition, Board, expenses) to Catholic colleges for children
of member killed or permanently and totally disabled from military service in
armed conflict, or from criminal violence while performing duties as full-time
law enforcement officer or full-time fireman. Student Loans Available to member, spouse and
children, as well as to all pursuing a religious vocation. Leadership Development Opportunity to build personal
leadership skills through active involvement in the Order's unique structure,
supported by Knightline/Program Supplement: fraternal newsletters mailed to
state and local council officers and chairmen. Fourth Degree Eligibility of Third Degree members to
join the "Patriotic Degree" at least twelve months following their initiation
into the Order. Honorary Life Membership at Age 70 After 25 years of
continuous service, member merits this distinction and no longer need pay dues. Catholic Information Service Opportunity for member
and family to avail themselves of a variety of literature on Catholic faith and
spirituality. Membership Card Entitles participation in all
Catholic, fratenal and social activities in member's council and also in the
10,400 councils throughout the world. Family Activities Eligibility for recognition in
Orderwide "Family of the Month/Year" program and participation in wide variety
of local family events, such as family breakfasts. Athletic Programs Participate in annual council,
state and international golf, bowling and softball tournaments; many councils
sponsor teams in a variety of sports. Youth Programs Opportunities for your children to
participate in a variety of youth-oriented programs such as the Columbian
Squires, a leadership training program for young men under council sponsorship.
I truly believe that as dedicated Knights of Columbus
we are doing the work of God on earth. Simply by following the many programs
that have been developed for our councils we are providing for the spiritual and
cultural enrichment of our members. We help mold the character of the young. We
help carry the cross for the poor, the disabled, the retarded. We try to heal
the wounds of the suffering, the aged, the disadvantaged. Through our Catholic
Advertising Program we spread the Good News of the Lord. We visit the sick; we
help bury the dead. We lend a helping hand to widows and orphans. This is a
program of which any Knight can be proud. Virgil C. Dechant
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