General Information about the Knights of Columbus
These Men Called Knights
What the Knights are
all about
How the Knights
are structured as an organization
The Ceremonials
of the Order
Robes and
Jewels of Council Officers
Hierarchy of the
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is a
lay Catholic family fraternal service organization. Membership in the Knights
of Columbus is open to all practical Catholic men in communion with the Holy
See, age eighteen and above. The term practical Catholic implies that a
person accepts and abides by the Commandments of God and the precepts and
tenets of the Catholic church.
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On October 2, 1881, Father Michael
J. McGivney, 29-year-old assistant pastor at St. Mary's Church in New
Haven, Connecticut, brought together a group of laymen with whom he
discussed his dream for a Catholic fraternal benefit society. It not only
would assist widows and orphans of deceased members through its life
insurance program, but also would boost members' sense of pride in their
Catholic religion, then frequently challenged in the anti-Catholic climate
of 19th-century America. Father McGivney and his associates met several more
times over the next several months to continue planning, and the new
organization --the Knights of Columbus -- was formally launched in early
February, 1882.
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The officers of the new
Catholic organization chose the name Knights of Columbus to honor Christopher
Columbus, the Catholic discoverer of America. The word knights is also
significant. We are ever mindful of the knightly qualities of spirituality
and service to church that is embodied in the Knights of Columbus. The Order
has evolved into a service organization with a strong family orientation.
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.
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The Knights of Columbus
remains headquartered in New Haven, but is now present with nearly 12000
Councils in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, and several
other countries.
One of the primary missions of
the Knights of Columbus is to support local charities. The Knights are a
familiar sight around town during the annual Tootsie RollŪ drive, which
raises funds for charities that support the retarded and handicapped. We
also support other fund raising drives to aid local parishes and charities.
The Knights of Columbus
promotes family values by providing numerous activities throughout the year
that the entire family can participate in. Additionally, the organization
provides an opportunity to ensure that a knight's family is provided for in
the event of his death.
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Here is short list of reasons
you may want to join the Knights of Columbus:
- An opportunity to become part of the world's
largest Catholic fraternal organization
- A great way to make a personal contribution to
the Church and community through charity and fraternity
- Active participation in Council activities
serves as a "school of leadership" which will enable you to
develop qualities that enhance your strengths and abilities
- A sense of "belonging" in an
organization that shares your religious beliefs and brings to together
like-minded men joined in a common cause
- Concerns for your family and your retirement
years can be addressed by the Orders optional, low-cost life insurance
- A sense of pride, knowing that the Knights of
Columbus is second to none in support of our Holy Father, our Bishops
and Priests, and our fellow man
Hierarchical Structure of the Knights of
Columbus
All members of the Knights of Columbus
belong to a particular Council, and any group of at least thirty men may
apply to found a new Council in their area. The highest elected officer of
each Council is the Grand Knight, who, with the other Council Officers, is
elected by the membership each year. The Grand Knight appoints various
Program Directors and Chairmen to run the Council's activities for the year.
All Council activities except Membership activities, fall into one of five
Program Areas, each with a Director. The five Directors of Church Activities,
Community Activities, Council Activities, Family Activities and Youth
Activities report to a General Programs Director, who in turn reports to the
Grand Knight.
Several Councils within the
same geographic area join together in a District under the guidance of the
District Deputy and his assistant, the District Warden.
The District Officers are
appointed by the State Deputy, the highest elected officer of the State
Council. State Officers and Program Chairmen are analogous to those at the
Council level and coordinate the activities of all the Councils throughout
the State. Each Spring, the State Deputy hosts a Convention to elect officers
and conduct other State business. Every Grand Knight and one elected Delegate
represent every Council in the state at this Convention.
The highest level within the
Knights of Columbus is the Supreme Council, headed by the Supreme Knight.
At the Supreme Convention each summer, State Deputies and Representatives
from each State, Territory, or Country meet to conduct business concerning
the international operation of the Order.
Ceremonials of the Order
There are four
"Degrees" of Knighthood within the Knights of Columbus. The initiation
ceremonies into each of these Degrees (the ceremonies themselves are also
called "Degrees") are the only facets of the Order which are not
made known to non-members. Each of the Degrees is designed to exemplify one
of the four Principals of the Order: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and
Patriotism. The Degrees must be taken in order.
Every applicant must take the
First, or Membership, Degree before he can be considered a Member of the
Knights of Columbus. Once he has taken his First Degree, he becomes a member
in good standing in the Order. To reach full Knighthood, members must also
take the Second and Third Degrees, and all members are strongly encouraged to
do so. Members must have taken the Third degree to be elected to Council
offices or to enter into the Fourth Degree.
Once a man has been a member of
the Knights of Columbus for a year and has taken his Third Degree, he is
eligible to join a Fourth Degree Assembly. The Fourth Degree has its own
structure separate from that of the Council. Fourth Degree Assemblies gain
their membership from Third Degree members of several Councils within a
larger geographic area. The most visible members of the Order are often the
Fourth Degree Color Corps, with their colorful capes, chapeaux and sabers.
Each Council Officer has his
own ceremonial robe and a metal emblem called a jewel worn on a ribbon around
the neck. Officers' robes are all of the general design called the Columbus
Robe. It is a flowing robe with inserted yoke, usually white. The opening is
in the back with invisible clasps. There are inner or coat sleeves and outer
or flowing sleeves. There is a standing collar, open in front, and a cowl or
hood. Three belt straps are provided around the waist for a cincture or belt
containing two tabs. The cincture is worn so that the tabs hang down along
the left side of the body, but not on the hip. The tabs are ended in fringe.
The mantle, as prescribed for the State Deputy, Grand Knight and Chancellor,
is a sleeveless coat with large arm holes, and is worn over the Columbus
Robe.
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The Chaplain provides
spiritual guidance to the Council. His emblem is the Cross, worn on a black
ribbon. The robe, too, is black with black trimming and yoke with white projecting
collar. The cincture is black with silver fringe.
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The Grand Knight is the
Chief Executive Officer of the Council and is responsible for all aspects
of Council operation. He presides over Council meetings and is ex-officio
member of all committees. His emblem, the Anchor carried on a purple
ribbon, is indicative of Columbus, the Mariner. It has also been a
variant form of the Cross for centuries. His is a royal purple robe with
white cincture with silver fringe. A purple mantle with white roll collar
is also worn.
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The Deputy Grand Knight acts
on behalf of the Grand Knight in his absence and also serves as General
Programs Director. His emblem, the Compass, was also used by Columbus, the Mariner.
The Knights of Columbus Compass, with its points being Charity, Unity,
Fraternity and Patriotism, is known as the Compass of Virtue; its 32
flame-like rays represent the 32 virtues which may be possessed by men. It
is hung from a purple ribbon. His robe is the same as the Grand Knight, but
without the mantle.
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The Chancellor is the third
ranking Council Officer. He is in charge of Vocations and indoctrinating
new members into Council activities. The Chancellor usually acts as Council
Activities Chairman as well. His emblem is the Isabella Cross, with Skull
and Crossbones; it is worn on a black over white ribbon. The Cross is
self-explanatory, while the Skull and Crossed Bones are symbolic of man's
mortality. The Chancellor wears a black robe trimmed with white and a
white cincture with silver fringe. He also wears a black mantle with
white roll collar.
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The Financial Secretary
records all money transactions, issues and collects bills, issues membership
cards, and is otherwise responsible for all financial matters of the
Council except those allocated to the Treasurer. His emblem is a Crossed
Key and Quill. The Key has always been associated with an office concerned
with money, safekeeping and secrecy. The Quill is the symbol of a scribe -
a recordkeeper - one who writes letters, documents, etc. This jewel is worn
on a white over yellow ribbon. His robe is black, trimmed with black, and a
white cincture with silver fringe.
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The Treasurer keeps all
funds, maintains the accounts of the Council, and issues Council checks
upon receipt of a proper voucher from the Financial Secretary. Crossed
Keys worn on a blue ribbon are symbolic of his complete authority over
funds, particularly responsibility for their safekeeping. His robe is
black, trimmed with black, and a white cincture with silver fringe.
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The Warden assures that all
members at meetings possess the current membership card. He is custodian of
all Council property except funds and is in charge of properly setting up
the Council Chamber. He directs the activities of the Inside and Outside
Guards. His emblem, an Axe Bound with Rods, known as a Faces, was
traditionally carried by the guards or protectors of Roman magistrates as a
symbol of authority. The Warden ideally has and exercises that authority.
The ribbon is colored red over black. His robe is black trimmed with
scarlet with a scarlet cincture with silver fringe.
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The Recorder keeps the
minutes of the meetings, conducts correspondence as directed by the Grand
Knight, and keeps official historic documents of the Council. In the
absence of the Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight, he presides at
Council meetings. Crossed Quills hung from a white over yellow ribbon are
symbolic of his responsibilities for letter and document (records)
writing and preservation. His robe is black, trimmed with black, with a
white cincture with silver fringe.
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The Lecturer provides
entertainment for the members after meetings, particularly the second
meeting of the month, which is our social meeting, and handles certain
other major social events of the Council such as Family Dinners. His emblem
consists of Lyre and Scroll. These are traditionally symbols of music and
literature and the arts. Hence, the Lecturer is in charge of entertainment.
His ribbon is white over blue. The Lecturer wears a black robe with
national blue trimming and blue cincture with silver fringe.
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The Advocate is the Chief
Legal Officer of the Council, resolving procedural matters, acting as
parliamentarian, and otherwise handling all legal activities. His emblem
is the Scroll with Crossed Sword hung from a yellow ribbon. The Scroll is
emblematic of legal literature and law, while the Sword indicates the
power to defend and enforce the law. The Advocate's robe is black with
golden yellow trim and yellow cincture with silver fringe.
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The Trustees (three in number)
oversee the financial transactions of the Council, review all bills and
financial reports and audit the Council's financial records semi-annually.
Their emblems, Crossed Key and Sword, indicate this financial authority and
are worn on green ribbons. Trustees wear black robes trimmed in green.
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The Inside Guard (1) and
Outside Guards (2) are charged with the security of the Council Chamber
and assist the Warden in meeting the duties of his Office. Their emblems,
Crossed Key and Axe hung from a white ribbon, represent their power as
sentries at the door. Their robes are gray with black trim and yoke. The
cincture is also black with silver fringe.
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At Knights of Columbus
functions, dignitaries in attendance are addressed and introduced in strict
order of rank from highest to lowest. The first words of any speech are
usually some variation of "Reverend Father, Worthy State Deputy, ...
Brother Knights, Lovely Ladies, and Beautiful Children," according to
who are actually present. This is known as "The Litany" and is
usually presented in its complete form only once by the toastmaster or master
of ceremonies, with other speakers abbreviating it to varying extents to save
time and repetition.
Order of Precedence
Hierarchy
- Clergy
- State Deputy
- Vice Supreme Master
- State Officers
- Masters of the Fourth Degree
- Immediate Past State Deputy
- Past State Deputies (by seniority)
- Former Masters
- Executive Staff
- District Deputies
- Supreme Council Insurance Directors or Field
Agents
- State Directors
- Chapter Presidents
- State Chairmen
- Wardens to the State Deputy
- District Wardens
- District Marshals
- Grand Knights
- Faithful Navigators
- Past Chapter Presidents
- Past Grand Knights
- Past Faithful Navigators
- Chapter Officers
- Council Officers
- Assembly Officers
Parade Formation
When walking in a parade
formation (either two or four abreast) the higher ranking person always
precedes a lower ranking person. Usually ladies walk alongside their men.
When Past State Deputies or past Grand Knights are in parade formation, the
Immediate Past Officer takes precedence. The others follow in order of
seniority with the most senior one being first.
Procession Formation
When walking in a procession
formation (always two abreast) the lowest ranking person always precedes a
higher ranking person, with the highest ranking person being last in line.
When Past State Deputies or past Grand Knights are in procession formation, the
one with the least seniority precedes the others in line, with the one
exception that the Immediate Past State Deputy or Immediate Past Grand Knight
will be the last in the line of Past State Deputies or Past Grand Knights,
with the most senior one preceding him.
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