ABOUT THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The Knights of Columbus (K of C) is a global catholic fraternal service order founded by Blessed Michael J. McGivney on March 29, 1882. Membership is limited to practicing Catholic men. It is led by Patrick E. Kelly, the order's 14th Supreme Knight. The organization is named after the explorer Christopher Columbus.
The organization was founded in March 1882 as a mutual benefit society for working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States. In addition to providing an insurance system for its members, its charter states that it endeavors "to promote such social and intellectual intercourse among its members as shall be desirable and proper. It has grown to support refugee relief, Catholic education, local parishes and dioceses, and global Catholic social and political causes.The Knights promote the Catholic view on public policy issues, including opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion.
The organization also provides certain financial services to the individual and institutional Catholic market. Its wholly owned insurance company, one of the largest in the world, underwrites more than two million insurance contracts, totaling more than $121 billion of life insurance in force as of 2023. It is a Fortune 1000 company based on its annual revenues.The order also owns the Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, a money management firm which invests in accordance with Catholic social teachings.
As of 2023, the Knights reported having over two million members around the world. Women may participate in K of C through the Columbiettes and other female auxiliaries, and boys may join the Columbian Squires. The Order comprises four different "degrees", each one of which exemplifies one of the core principles of the order. There are more than 16,000 local Knights of Columbus councils around the world, including over 300 on college campuses.
The organization was founded in March 1882 as a mutual benefit society for working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States. In addition to providing an insurance system for its members, its charter states that it endeavors "to promote such social and intellectual intercourse among its members as shall be desirable and proper. It has grown to support refugee relief, Catholic education, local parishes and dioceses, and global Catholic social and political causes.The Knights promote the Catholic view on public policy issues, including opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion.
The organization also provides certain financial services to the individual and institutional Catholic market. Its wholly owned insurance company, one of the largest in the world, underwrites more than two million insurance contracts, totaling more than $121 billion of life insurance in force as of 2023. It is a Fortune 1000 company based on its annual revenues.The order also owns the Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, a money management firm which invests in accordance with Catholic social teachings.
As of 2023, the Knights reported having over two million members around the world. Women may participate in K of C through the Columbiettes and other female auxiliaries, and boys may join the Columbian Squires. The Order comprises four different "degrees", each one of which exemplifies one of the core principles of the order. There are more than 16,000 local Knights of Columbus councils around the world, including over 300 on college campuses.
HISTORY OF THE ORDER
American Catholic priest Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus at St. Mary's Church in 1882 as a mutual benefit society for Catholic immigrants in New Haven, Connecticut. As a parish priest in an immigrant community, McGivney saw what could happen to a family when the main income earner died. This was before most government support programs were established. Because of religious and ethnic discrimination, Catholics in the late 19th century were regularly excluded from labor unions, popular fraternal organizations, and other organized groups that provided such social services.
Although its first councils were all in Connecticut, the Order spread throughout New England and the United States in subsequent years. As the order expanded outside of Connecticut, structural changes in the late 1880s and 1890s were instituted to give the Knights a federalist system with local, state, and national levels of government.This allowed them to coordinate activities. Across states and localities.
Although its first councils were all in Connecticut, the Order spread throughout New England and the United States in subsequent years. As the order expanded outside of Connecticut, structural changes in the late 1880s and 1890s were instituted to give the Knights a federalist system with local, state, and national levels of government.This allowed them to coordinate activities. Across states and localities.
TIMELINE
MONSIGNOR SHERMAN COUNCIL HISTORY
The Monsignor Sherman Council was founded in April 1961 by a group of Sacred Heart parishioners, named after Monsignor Sherman, the founding pastor of Sacred Heart Church. With Frank Shea as its first Grand Knight, the council has served both Sacred Heart and St. Pancras Parishes, and has a long history of charitable efforts in Glendale and surrounding communities. Amongst those charitable efforts include annual food drives, support for people with disabilities, and visits to children in hospitals during Christmas, as well as supporting Pro-Life organizations like Bridge to Life futhermore exemplifying the values of Catholic Gentlemen who prioritize giving and faith.