Our Parish Mission Statement: To Live and Preach the Gospel through the Example of our Lives

Brief History of the Knights of Columbus

Thanks to the efforts of Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut 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 was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to 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 McGivney 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 has grown from several members in one council to more than 13,000 councils and 1.7 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Island, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan.

On March 16, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI approved a decree recognizing the heroic virtue of Father McGivney. The pope's declaration significantly advances the priest's process toward sainthood and gives the parish priest the distinction of "Venerable Servant of God." If canonized, Father McGivney would be the first American born priest to be honored.

The first visit to the United States this April by Pope Benedict XVI as Holy Father also marked a historic first for the Knights of Columbus.

During Pope Benedict's April 16 meeting with President Bush at the White House, Fourth Degree Knights in full regalia provided an honor guard for the ceremony. It was the first time the Fourth Degree stood in formation for a pope and president at the White House. They also took part at the Masses in Washington's National park, Yankee Stadium in New York and the pope's departure ceremony at John F. Kennedy International Airport.