The Knights of Columbus were founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney as a fraternal benefit society to help Catholic immigrants and their families. The small group that started in a church basement has grown into a large international organization that provides insurance and financial services to its members while also engaging in charitable works. The Knights focus on principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism through activities like food drives, supporting people with disabilities, and advocating pro-life values. They aim to help those in need and strengthen communities through Catholic teachings of compassion.

1. John Kelley<br />102-008<br />Revised Final 11/28/2010<br />The Knights of Columbus and Fr. Michael J. McGivney, Founder<br />The Knights of Columbus are a Roman Catholic men’s fraternity whose aim is to help their neighbor. The story of the Knights is a telling symbol of perseverance and execution of goals, but also the deeper story reveals the rivets that masked much of what America had faced in its pre-World War era and what many groups faced during the course of their organization. Its inception was small, but its impact will remain unforgettable. The small group of men in the basement of the Church that founded the order 125 years ago reveals the community that persists today in the vision of missionary goals and social endeavors.<br /> <br />His ministry was primarily in the vein of his own exposure to the darker aspects of life early on such as death, poverty, and sorrow: it was family oriented. This is a basic example of his early life clearly being steered by his ministry. He saw alcoholism as a problem not only to the abuser but those he was to be caring for, and as the spike in secret societies peaked McGivney thought an organization could be well used. He joined St. Joseph’s Total Abstinence and Literary Society, but still had the need to found the Knights of Columbus on 29 March 1882 with members of his parish.<br />the goals : <br />abstinence and to make insurance available to all,<br /> primarily his vision was to fund the unfortunate lives that widows and orphans are often forced to undertake.<br />Stemming from the goals of Columbia are the Principles of the Knights of Columbus, which are practical and recognizably simple, as was the life of its founder. Knights find strength in solidarity, security through unity of purpose and devotion to a holy cause. They vow to defend country, family, and faith. These are corollaries from the highly regarded virtues of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. Bound together by Christopher Columbus, the organization highlights the Christian ideals of manifest destiny and exploration that brought Europe to the New World. Early on the Order was called “the Strong Right Arm of the Church.”(Growth of the Knights of Columbus.) Praise has come from Popes, Presidents, and other worlds leaders. Knights have been lauded for Church support, civic involvement, Catholic Education, Evangelization programs and giving aid to the needy. Their Principles are core to the Knights’ Mission, they are Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. Charity is exhibited through food drives, soup kitchens and the Special Olympics. They are pro-life, included in their mission is a provision that pro-life means to not only support life materially but also spiritually. A Knight’s Mission and Faith in God compels him to action. They view helping the needy as the best way to experience compassion and love. Unity is seen through the encouragement of Brother Knights. The obvious benefit to this principle is the simple fact that you accomplish more working together than you would individually. Fraternity is largely built in the vein of Unity, that it is largely a reason to assist and provide aid to those that need a Knight’s attention. Patriotism is the global principle: Knights are asked to show devotion to God and country and stand up for both. Publicly or privately the organization tries to show that Catholics are among the world’s best citizens.<br />The structural organization the Knights of Columbus implements is a Supreme Council, the national council responsible for the development nationally and to share the Order with new regions and install their authorities. Supreme defines and advances the values, goals and directives and undertakes organization wide activities and initiatives, as well as promoting the Knights globally. They are also in the business of protecting families as a result of their insurance program.<br />McGivney’s Detente<br />conclusion<br />