HISTORY
Organized in 1882
by Rev. Michael J.
McGivney in New
Haven, Connecticut,
under the principles
of charity, unity,
fraternity and patriotism. Founded upon ideals
inspired by the teachings of our
Catholic faith. Proud heritage of
service to Church, country and
neighbor.
MEMBERSHIP
Largest organization of Catholic
men — 1.5 million members and
their families who belong to over
10,500 local councils
throughout the United States,
Canada, the Philippines, Mexico,
Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Panama,
Cuba, Guam, the Virgin Islands,
the Dominican Republic and the
Bahamas.
 CHURCH
LOYALTY
For over 113 years, the
Knights of Columbus have
been distinguished by forthright
loyalty to the Holy See and to
the hierarchy. Referring to this in a
recent private audience, Pope
John Paul II personally thanked
the Order for "the respect and love
which you have manifested toward
me as successor of Peter."
FAMILY LIFE
The Order supports and defends
family life through programs of
family prayer and family
participation in the parish liturgy,
promotion of Christian values in
the home, "Family of the
Month/Year Awards," days
of family recreation, etc. Also
supports family life by
funding the North American
campus of the Pope John Paul II
Institute for Studies on Marriage
and Family.
COLUMBIAN
SQUIRES
Order's leadership
training program
molds young men
12 to 18 years old into influential
and articulate Catholic citizens of
tomorrow. More than 25,000
Squires belong to more than1,000
council- or assembly-sponsored
circles in the United States,
Canada, Mexico, the Philippines,
Puerto Rico, Guam and the
Bahamas.
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CHARITABLE
DISBURSEMENTS
Donations
to charity -
for the
needy,
victims
of disaster, homes for
the aged, community
projects, educational
purposes, gifts of clothing and food—
totaled over $100 million last year.
PRO-LIFE
Conducting an
Orderwide "Crusade
for Life" campaign
to bring
an end to the legalized
slaughter of the innocent
unborn. Almost $8 million
donated to bishops' pro-life
education and public infor-
mation campaign to date.
Millions of pieces of pro-life
literature printed and made
available free of charge.
INSURANCE PROTECTION
More than $28 billion worth
of insurance in force. Wide
variety of top-
quality life
insurance and
annuity
programs are available to
members and their families.
EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Million-dollar Educational
Trust provides a four year
college education at a
Catholic college for children
of members who are killed
or permanently and totally
disabled (a) from a cause
directly connected with a
military
conflict
or (b) as a
result of
criminal
violence
in the performance of their
duties as full-time law-
enforcement officers or
firemen.
STUDENT LOANS/
SCHOLARSHIPS/
FELLOWSHIPS
Over
54,000
low
interest
student
loans, ($80 million)
disbursed to Knights, their
families, priests, brothers,
sisters, seminarians and
postulants since 1971.
Members and families also
eligible for Pro Deo and Pro
Patria (U.S. and Canada),
Mexico, Puerto Rico and
Philippines undergraduate
scholarships; the Bishop
Greco and The Catholic
University of America
graduate fellowships.
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COMMUNITY
SERVICE
Last year,
Knights of
Columbus
officers,
program directors,
committeemen and
members volunteered
over 48 million hours
in community service.
CATHOLIC
INFORMATION
SERVICE
Since
1948
when
the
program
began, the Catholic
Information Service has
provided free religious
pamphlets to more than
8 million inquirers and has
enrolled more than
750,000 persons in the
Catholic Correspondence
Course. And the mailbox
is always open to those
who need advice and
can't bring themselves
to ring a rectory doorbell.
VOCATIONS
State, and
local council
vocations
committees
foster vocations through
prayer and other
activities. Refund Support
Vocations Program
RSVP) has contributed
more than $11 million
to thousands of
seminarians and
postulants. $7.25 million
Vocations Scholarship
Fund provides $2,500
scholarships to
seminarians in
theology.
FOURTH
DEGREE
Order's
highest
degree
promoting
patriotism and responsible
citizen-ship through our
Catholic heritage. Nearly
240,000 Knights belong
to over 2,000 assemblies
and are recognized by
their colorful capes and
chapeaux.
FRATERNAL BENEFITS
Order
provides
member-
spouse
accidental
death benefit
to all
members in
good standing in insurance
territories; family and
orphan fraternal benefits
to eligible member
families. See your
K of C insurance agent
for complete details.
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