Founded on the principles of charity, unity and fraternity,
the Knights of Columbus was established in 1882 by 29-year-old Father Michael J. McGivney,
assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Conn., and a group of parishioners.
Their intent? To bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled and needy
members and their families.
Late-19th century Connecticut was marked by the growing fraternal benefit societies,
anti-Catholic prejudice and dangerous factory working conditions that left many families
fatherless. Recognizing a need in his community, Father Michael J. McGivney, himself a 2nd generation
Irish immigrant and assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., gathered a
group of men at his parish on Oct. 2, 1881. He proposed establishing a lay organization
to prevent Catholic men from entering secret societies antithetical to Church teaching,
uniting Catholic men, and offering financial assistance to families of deceased members.
To demonstrate their loyalty to their country as well as their faith, these men took
Christopher Columbus — recognized as a Catholic and celebrated as the discoverer of
America – as their patron. The Knights of Columbus elected officers in February 1882
and assumed corporate status on March 29. In addition to the Order’s benefits, Catholic
men were drawn to the Knights because of its emphasis on serving one’s Church, community
and family with virtue. Fraternity and patriotism were added to the Knights’ founding
principles of charity and unity in 1885 and 1900, respectively.
Today, the Knights of Columbus has become the largest Catholic lay organization in the
world with over 2.1 million members in 17,000 local councils throughout the US, Canada,
Mexico, and a handful of other countries around the world. Annually, the Knights contribute
nearly 50 million man-hours of service and almost $200 million to various causes locally and
around the world. The investment arm of the Knights manages over $26 billion in assets and
the insurance arm maintains over $120 billion of life insurance.
The Knights participation in this year's Tulsa Irish Festival is made extra special by the
presence of a relic of Blessed(*) Michael McGivney on Sunday, March 9th. The relic will be
displayed at the Mass celebrated by Bishop David Konderla, Bishop of the Diocese of Tulsa and
Eastern Oklahoma. After the Mass the relic will be on display for veneration until it moves
on to its next stop at Church of St. Mary in Tulsa.
*Blessed is the title given to individuals who have been beatified by the Vatican. Beatification
is the distinction accorded by the Catholic Church of a deceased person's entrance into
Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in their name.