Knights of Columbus – 129 years of doing good works

By Tami A. Quigley

The Knights of Columbus have stood steadfast in their faith in God and service to their fellow man for the past 129 years, and are an active presence in the Catholic Church, as well as a mainstay of good works in the Diocese of Allentown.

According to the Knights website, on March 29, 1882 the Connecticut state legislature officially chartered the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal benefit society founded by Father Michael McGivney with a group of parishioners in the basement of St. Mary Church, New Haven. Father McGivney’s cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican.

Still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity 129 years later, the Knights has grown to the largest lay Catholic organization in the world with more than 1.7 million members.

Throughout its history, the Knights have been an effective advocate and defender of civil and religious rights for all. The organization has also contributed billions of dollars and millions of hours of volunteer service to charity.

The Knights was formed to render financial aid to members and their families (see article this page). Mutual aid and assistance are offered to the sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.

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