About
Organizational Structure
The Knights of Columbus headquarters is located in New Haven, Connecticut - the birthplace of the Order. Our society is governed by the Supreme Council, its top legislative body that meets annually in August to vote on resolutions that set policy for the Order. International affairs are administered by an elected board of directors under the chairmanship of the supreme knight.
Elected state officers operate the state councils. They administer the programs and activities under the guidance of a state deputy. The state deputy represents the highest ranking state level officer.
The district deputy represents both the supreme knight and the state deputy in an area known as a district - which is made up of several councils. He is appointed by the supreme knight based on the recommendation of the state deputy.
The highest ranking officer at the local council level is called the grand knight. Along with other officers, he is elected each year by the members of his council.
Religion, Fraternity, Charity, & Insurance
The Knights of Columbus was organized in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney in the basement of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Since the founding, the Order of the Knights of Columbus has grown to 1.6 million members throughout the world.
The Knights of Columbus has five main objectives:
1. To support the Church.
2. To build fraternal bonds through social, religious, educational and athletic activities.
3. To provide comfort and assistance to the sick, disabled, and needy members and their families.
4. To reach out to meet community needs through programs of charity and service.
5. To provide for the financial security of our members and their families through our fraternal insurance program.
Elected state officers operate the state councils. They administer the programs and activities under the guidance of a state deputy. The state deputy represents the highest ranking state level officer.
The district deputy represents both the supreme knight and the state deputy in an area known as a district - which is made up of several councils. He is appointed by the supreme knight based on the recommendation of the state deputy.
The highest ranking officer at the local council level is called the grand knight. Along with other officers, he is elected each year by the members of his council.
Religion, Fraternity, Charity, & Insurance
The Knights of Columbus was organized in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney in the basement of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Since the founding, the Order of the Knights of Columbus has grown to 1.6 million members throughout the world.
The Knights of Columbus has five main objectives:
1. To support the Church.
2. To build fraternal bonds through social, religious, educational and athletic activities.
3. To provide comfort and assistance to the sick, disabled, and needy members and their families.
4. To reach out to meet community needs through programs of charity and service.
5. To provide for the financial security of our members and their families through our fraternal insurance program.
Degrees
1. A New Ceremony
For A New Era Our past ceremonies were products of the late 19th century. The three steps worked well in their time. But the men of today are not the men of the 1880s, or even the 1980s. Men of the 2020s don’t have the time for three ceremonies or see the need for them. The secrecy is often seen as juvenile, and sometimes, it is even an impediment to joining. The previous process was too often a stumbling block, not a gateway to membership. Today we have an exemplification of our principles that presents, in a clear and convincing way, how charity, unity and fraternity can come together to form a Catholic way of life for today’s man and his family. Our course may be new but our destination has not changed.
2. Fourth Degree (principal of is Patriotism)
Qualifications
1. A New Ceremony
For A New Era Our past ceremonies were products of the late 19th century. The three steps worked well in their time. But the men of today are not the men of the 1880s, or even the 1980s. Men of the 2020s don’t have the time for three ceremonies or see the need for them. The secrecy is often seen as juvenile, and sometimes, it is even an impediment to joining. The previous process was too often a stumbling block, not a gateway to membership. Today we have an exemplification of our principles that presents, in a clear and convincing way, how charity, unity and fraternity can come together to form a Catholic way of life for today’s man and his family. Our course may be new but our destination has not changed.
2. Fourth Degree (principal of is Patriotism)
Qualifications
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must be a practicing Catholic as understood by the church.