What We Stand For
Please read the following sections to understand what the
Knights of Columbus stand for, because if you don't stand for
something, you will fall for anything.
ORIGINS
On October 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 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 and 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 the Holy
Faith to this New World. They were Knights of Columbus
The roots of the Knights of Columbus were planted in the rich
soil that was 19th century North America. Out of the melting pot
of the 1880's, our Catholic, family, fraternal, service organization
emerged as a beacon of hope for masses.
Whether helping the poor, the sick, the orphaned and the widowed,
or supporting their Catholic brothers with their practical or
spiritual needs, the first Knights of Columbus stood ready to
help.
Since 1882, we've been working for the improvement in the lives
of our members and our societies. Today, the Knights of Columbus
boasts a membership of over 1.6 million strong, and growing!
I invite you to e-mail me to learn more about the Knights of
Columbus, our programs, how we support our Church and Priests,
the services offered to our members, their families. What the
Knights of Columbus does for our Tracy community. Learn how easy
it is to join the Knights.
PRO-LIFE ACTIVITIES
The Knights of Columbus champions life from conception to natural
death. The Order supports the Church in its work to defend human
life, provides financial assistance to national and local right-to-life
groups, and prays for the protection of life.
9-11 Hero's Fund
Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, 416 families
of emergency medical technicians, firefighters and police officers
each have received $3,000 checks from the Knights of Columbus
from a special $1 million Knights of Columbus Heroes Fund established
Sept. 12 by Order. The checks were given to the families of all
deceased heroes regardless of whether they were Catholics or members
of the Knights. The fund was created with $500,000 from the Supreme
Council and more than $500,000 raised and donated by local Knights
of Columbus units throughout North America and elsewhere. A total
of $1,251,000 in Heroes Fund benefits have been disbursed.
Knights of Columbus
have helped to build and support the Catholic Church, from
the United States to the Philippines. Knights have lived for their
faith in Canada, and died for their faith in Mexico. Throughout
the history of the Order, in these and many other ways, Knights
of Columbus have provided immeasurable support to their families
and communities, to their countries and the Church. The Knights
of Columbus has enabled its members to strengthen and protect
their loved ones - spiritually, by developing their faith, and
financially, with the highest quality life insurance available,
a product that has brought security and prosperity to millions
of Knights and their families.
Through their dedication to the ideals of the Order - Charity,
Unity, Fraternity, Patriotism - and through their fidelity to
Christ's Church and his Vicar, the Knights of Columbus continue
to be what they were called long ago: "The Strong Right Arm
of the Church."
Our chapter has supported youth activities, educational projects,
Columbian Squires, our Parish, the school, seminarians and seminaries.
The Tracy chapter has supported vocations by donating all monies
made through our dinners for the religious education of many.
The Knights (world wide) have donated $315.9 million to Church
related projects. The Knights have reported through volunteering
58,941,551 hours of service.