Knights of Columbus are Catholic gentlemen committed to the exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism, and defense of the priesthood. The Order is consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Order is unequivocal in its loyalty to the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth, and the Knights of Columbus are in solidarity with Catholic Priests and Bishops. It is firmly committed to the protection of human life, from conception to natural death, and to the preservation and defense of the family.

Locally, (Henderson, NV) the Knights are known as Council #13456. There, they are a council in solidarity with a young parish, Saint Francis of Assisi Parish. As well, the Knights are in solidarity with their Priests. These Knights are more than 300 men and families dedicated in serving the Catholic Chuch and the parish community.

The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by a 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, in the basement of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. His aim was to set up a parish-based lay organization to help Catholic men remain steadfast to their faith, and offer protection for Catholic families.

Central to Father McGivney’s founding vision for the Knights of Columbus was providing for the financial security of Catholic families, particularly the widows and orphans of deceased members. On March 29, 1882, the Connecticut legislature granted a charter to the Knights of Columbus, formally establishing it as a legal corporation. (Today, the Knights of Columbus Celebrate this day as Founders Day.)

Father Michael J. McGivney Died on August 14, 1890 at the age of 38. His funeral was one of the largest in the history of (his birthplace) Waterbury, Connecticut. Delegations were present from almost every one of the 57 K. of C. councils that had been chartered in the Order's first eight years. "He was a man of the people. . . and all the kindliness of his priestly soul asserted itself more strongly in his unceasing efforts for the betterment of their condition."

Many civic leaders joined the Bishop of Hartford and more than 70 of Connecticut’s Catholic priests. It was reported that every available carriage for miles around had been rented for the great procession. Today, his cause for canonization is proceeding.

The emblem of the Order dates from the second Supreme Council meeting on May 12, 1883, when James T. Mullen, who was then supreme knight, designed it.

The emblem indicates a shield mounted upon the Formée cross (having the arms narrow at the center and expanding toward the ends). The shield is that associated with a medieval knight. The Formée cross is the representation of a traditional artistic design of the cross of Christ through which all graces of redemption were procured for mankind. This then represents the Catholic spirit of the Order.

Mounted on the shield are three objects: a fasces (a bundle of rods bound together about an ax with the blade projecting) standing vertically and, crossed behind it, an anchor and a dagger or short sword. The fasces from Roman days, carried before magistrates as an emblem of authority, is symbolic of authority which must exist in any tightly-bonded and efficiently operating organization. The anchor is the mariner's symbol for Columbus, patron of the Order, while the short sword or dagger was the weapon of the Knight when engaged upon an errand of mercy. Thus, the shield expresses Catholic Knighthood in organized merciful action, and with the letters, K of C, it proclaims this specific form of activity.

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic, Family, Fraternal service organization, with more than 1.8 million members in more than 14,000 local councils. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, the community, families and young people. In 2009, Knights of Columbus at all levels of the organization raised and distributed a record $151,105,867 to charitable causes and volunteered 69,251,926 hours of service.

The Knights of Columbus service program is a program of action to perform the duties of Church, Pro-Life, Community, Council, Family, and Youth. Membership with the Knights will provide opportunity of activity and fraternal benefits and fellowship.

DID YOU KNOW?
The K. of C. sponsors the broadcasts of Christmas & Easter mass from the Vatican to the world?

DID YOU KNOW?
The K. of C. established the Vicarius Christi Fund in 1981, for the Pope’s charities? This is a $20 million self-perpetuating account that earns over $2 million yearly in interest. Each year around Christmas time, the Supreme Knight presents this gift to the Pope as a gift from the Knights of Columbus.

DID YOU KNOW?
The K. of C. supports Vocations? The Knights have many ways of doing so. One is the “RSVP” program developed by the Supreme Council. This program promotes local councils to sponsor a seminarian. When a council does so, the Supreme Council contributes a portion back to the local council.

DID YOU KNOW?
The Knights of Columbus also has multi million dollars in student loans & scholarships for Brother Knights, their children, & grand children.

DID YOU KNOW?
The K. of C. has programs for Law Enforcement, Military Forces, & Fire Fighters? Fr. McGivney founded our order for the protection of catholic families, so the Knights wanted to offer benefits for these men who protect us. - See your K. of C. Field Agent for details.

Knights are in Action Year Around with Volunteer Service – Support Church, Youth, and Community fundraisers & events

THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE GOOD-WORKS BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

If you want to join the Knights, there is a local council near you, “St. Francis of Assisi 13456.” There you will find brother Knights and their families that “Surge with Service,” and enjoy many council activities and social events.

As a Catholic gentleman, you share the same beliefs as the Knights of Columbus. You share the same duty to God, to family and to folks down the block and across the sea. If you are looking for an organization that can enrich your life in every way, your search is over…

"YOU HAVE DISCOVERED THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS"