Knights of Columbus

Thanks to the efforts of Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, and some of his parishioners, the Connecticut state legislature on March 29, 1882, officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society. The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity, and fraternity. The Knights were formed to render financial aid to members and their families and mutual aid and assistance 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.

The history of the Order shows how the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican, brought about what has become the world’s foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity, and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities.
The Knights of Columbus grew from several members in one council to more than 14,000 councils and 1.8 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam, and Saipan.

The Ladies Auxiliary is an organization of Catholic women dedicated to their Patronesses, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Theresa the Little Flower, and St. Joan of Arc, and are affiliated Auxiliaries of the Knights of Columbus Councils. Their purpose is to aid our Council spiritually and socially in its endeavors. They maintain a forthright place as Catholic women in safeguarding the religious, civil, and economic rights of all Catholics.

Come and see the good things that the Knights and our Ladies Auxiliary do for our parish, community, state, and country.