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"THESE MEN THEY CALL KNIGHTS"
The Vision of Father McGivney FOUNDED by Father Michael J. McGivney, curate at St. Mary's parish in New Haven, Conn., 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 founders 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 Catholics 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 1.3 million Catholic men in some 7,000 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 and the Virgin Islands. 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 "K. of C. Rosary" to each new member enrolled in the society. These have been distributed at the rate of 10,000 per month over the last several years. A subsequent program - 'The Pilgrim Virgin-Marian Hour of Prayer" - attracted almost one million participants to almost 5,000 prayer services Orderwide in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas. His other initiatives have gone far toward strengthening the Order as it confronts the egoism, hedonism and increasing secularism of our modern, atheistic 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 through periodic grants of $50,000 and $10,000 respectively made by the Order to support the bishops' pro-life programs. 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, on every day throughout the year. Upon request, the widow's name is added to the mailing list for COLUMBIA magazine. State and local councils are encouraged to do the same for their publications. They also are 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 participation in 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 separate family-life director has been added to 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. Cooperating with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Order began a three-year project in 1980 by underwriting an educational media campaign designed to strengthen family life. Titled "Growth in Faith - In and through the Family," the multi-phase program has the full support of the CCCB. 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 turning around the decline in the number of candidates to the priestly and religious life. But more will be said of this in subsequent pages. 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. 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. Programs offering scholarships and student loans are described further on in this booklet. "Don't keep the Faith - spread it!" long has been a guiding principle of the Knights of Columbus. Almost $1 million are budgeted annually by the Order for various projects of the Catholic Advertising Program. The Knights of Columbus funded the construction of the companile or Knight's Tower at 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 this 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 Shrine 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. Faith in the future is a distinctive mark of a vital organization. The Knights traditionally have manifested such a faith by trying to help mold and serve tomorrow's leaders. "Esto Dignus," "Be Worthy," is the motto of the Columbian Squires, official organization of the Knights of Columbus for young men between the ages of 12-18. The goals of the Squires are the spiritual, cultural, civic, social and physical improvement of its members and the development of leadership qualities. Each Squire is enjoined to take an active part in the administration and planning of his circle. The Order also has had a long-term interest in the scouting movement. The Knights' backing of Boy Scout troops dates back to 1923. Today more than a thousand Boy Scout units are sponsored by local councils. Knights also sponsor, support and give time to Little League baseball and football teams, the Catholic Youth Organization in various dioceses, Girl Scouts, Girl Guides, 4-H Clubs, Big Brothers, Babe Ruth or Pony League, Junior Soccer and Junior Hockey. 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 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 $30 million, including substantial amounts from the Supreme Council. Another $14 million is spent on activities, including some $2 million for work with young people. The Knights also average 650,000 visits to the sick, give 150,000 donations of blood, contribute 8 million man-hours of community service and 700,000 hours of labor for the sick or disabled. 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." It 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. If you are a practical Catholic man, 18 years of age or older, you can become a vital part of the Knights of Columbus and make your own unique contributions to the dream of Father McGivney. 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 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. Thus the society is governed by the Supreme Council, its top legislative body. There are 61 state councils and several territorial jurisdictions encompassing some 7,000 subordinate councils to which the more than 1.3 million members belong. Groups of councils, usually three or four in adjacent or nearby localities, are formed into districts. Groupings of councils may elect to form a chapter to coordinate activities on an areawide level. 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 21-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 a roster of 30 members or applicants for membership. The presiding officer is the grand knight. Titles of 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 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 on 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 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. Who Can Be A Knight? 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. In fact, one-to-one recruitment is the most successful method of attracting new 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, must make application through their home-town council. If favorably voted upon, the applicant becomes a member by initiation in what is known as the Admission Degree. He subsequently is advanced through the Formation Degree to the point in membership where he is entitled to wear the emblem of the Knights of Columbus by initiation in the Knighthood 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 of the Knights of Columbus engenders the image of a united organization, efficiently going about its tasks of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism and defense of the priesthood, composed of men who are giving unselfishly of their time and talents in the service of their God and their country. Membership in the Knights of Columbus provides the 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. 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 is 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. Insurance 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 death of a certificate holder. 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 December 1979; and the current total, well beyond $6 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 113 General Agencies. However, a considerable number of field agents is 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." "Surge with Service" 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 revision and improvement of the famous Six Point Program utilized by the Knights in former years. A Program of Action The Service Program is a program of action under the direction of two men selected by the grand knight as program and membership directors. These men then select others to perform the duties of Church, Community, Council, Family and Youth directors who appoint various committees to plan the projects and activities in the council. Following the guidelines and format designed by the Supreme Council Service Department, 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 so current and up-dated information can be sent to them for use in their councils. Eighteen times a year an issue of PS (Program Supplement) 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 co-operation with the insurance representatives of the Supreme Council. Membership Programs 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. Training Aids 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 comes 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 "Surge with Service" manual which explains the Service Program operation, handbooks for the program director, the membership director, and the church, community, council and youth directors. 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. Films and filmstrips have been produced for training purposes and for instructing non-members concerning the Order's objectives and goals. The latest 16-mm color film, "The K of C Is You and Me," demonstrates the idealism which motivates the fraternal society and the practical activities open to the members. Filmstrips with sound have been produced and distributed throughout the Order on such topics as the district deputy, the Service Program and special membership campaigns. Others are on the planning boards. "Papal Audience 1979" captures a special private audience granted by His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the Supreme officers and directors in October1979 during his historic visit to the U.S. The Knights were the only organization so honored by the Holy Father. Pro-Life The Knights of Columbus profile of pro-life work shows how Knights are striving to protect the lives of the innocent unborn. The Supreme Council has made annual grants of $50,000 to the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities and $15,000 to the Pro-Life Committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops over the last several years. The Knights have donated millions of pieces of literature to pro-life groups, and have provided office space and manpower support 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. The Supreme Office also has made available in quantity and without charge a supply of the pamphlet "Abortion: Questions and Answers," prepared by the Committee for Pro-Life Activities of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. The four-page booklet gives succinct information on crucial questions surrounding the abortion issue. In addition two anti-abortion billboards have been prepared for use in the community by local councils. The billboards carry an appeal to stop abortion coupled with the sponsoss name. As mentioned, Knights are a source of widespread support for Birthright and similar agencies which provide counseling, maternity care and other assistance required to help a woman persevere in her desire not to kill her infant. 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 Jan.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 another venture allied with the pro-life cause, the Order has underwritten the cost of special seminars for the Bishops of the United States and Canada in 1980 and again in 1981. Conducted by the Pope John XXIII Medical-Moral Research Center, these briefings and discussions center on life-death issues and the moral response necessary in view of constant advances in science and technology. One priority for the '80s, the "Decade of the Family," is to respond to the papal encyclical "Humanae Vitae" by promotion of methods of natural family planning which are safe, moral and as effective as immoral chemical and artificial means. The Order now underwrites the NFP offices of the U.S., Canadian and Mexican hierarchies.
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