Who We Are

Our Purpose, Our People

Historical Highlights Beyond the Founding

Step into the legacy. These videos capture powerful moments from Knights of Columbus history — beyond the founding, into a mission that continues to inspire.

Message from Pope Leo XIV to the 143rd Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus
August 8, 2025

In Loving Memory of Pope Francis
April 22, 2025

Knights of Columbus Honored in Rome
December 14, 2011

Saint John Paul II on the Knights of Columbus
May 29, 2011

President Reagan's comments to the Knights of Columbus
August 5th, 1986

President Reagan's speech at the Supreme Council Meeting
August 3rd, 1982

Knights of Columbus History
June 2, 2012

The Emblem of the Knights of Columbus: A Symbol of Faith, Service, and Unity

The emblem of the Knights of Columbus is more than a visual identifier—it is a profound expression of Catholic knighthood, rich in history and spiritual symbolism. First introduced at the second Supreme Council meeting on May 12, 1883, the emblem was designed by Supreme Knight James T. Mullen to reflect the Order’s mission and values.

A Shield Upon the Cross

At the heart of the emblem is a shield, reminiscent of those carried by medieval knights. It is mounted upon the Formée Cross—a stylized artistic rendering of the Cross of Christ. Through this sacred symbol, all graces of redemption were offered to humanity. The Cross thus represents the Catholic foundation of the Order, reminding members that their service is rooted in the redemptive love of Christ.

Symbols of Strength and Mercy

Three objects are mounted on the shield: a fasces, an anchor, and a short sword or dagger.

The fasces, a bundle of rods bound around an axe, dates back to Roman times and symbolizes authority, unity, and the strength required for any well-ordered organization.
The anchor honors Christopher Columbus, the Order’s patron, and evokes the spirit of exploration, hope, and steadfastness.
The short sword or dagger represents the Knight’s readiness to act in mercy—a weapon not of aggression, but of compassionate service.

Together, these elements proclaim the mission of Catholic knighthood: organized charity, courageous faith, and merciful action.

Colors That Speak to Nation and Faith

The emblem’s red, white, and blue palette reflects both patriotic and ecclesiastical symbolism.

Patriotic Meaning

Red stands for courage, vitality, and wholehearted devotion.
White symbolizes purity of purpose and noble ideals.
Blue conveys hope, tranquility under God, and confidence in our nation’s protection.

Ecclesiastical Meaning

Red echoes the blood of Christ shed on Calvary and the sacrifice of martyrs who defended the faith. It is the color of unwavering belief in Christ and His redeeming love.
White reflects the Eucharistic Host, a pledge of Christ’s presence among us and a sign of divine charity. It embodies the infinite love of God and the compassion of Jesus for each soul.
Blue is the color of Our Lady’s mantle, in which she wrapped her beloved Son. It is the symbol of hope, born through Mary’s faith and the salvation brought by Christ.

A Living Legacy

Every detail of the emblem speaks to the Order’s identity: faithful to Christ, devoted to service, and united in purpose. It is a visual creed—a call to live out the virtues of faith, charity, and hope in our communities and in our hearts.

The Four Pillars of the Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus stand on four enduring principles—Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. These guide our hearts and hands in every good work we undertake, rooted in faith and service.

CHARITY

“Love thy neighbor as thyself.” This commandment calls us to action. Knights live this out by serving parishes and communities through:

Food drives supporting local pantries and “Food for Families”
Volunteering at Special Olympics
Providing “Coats for Kids”
Donating wheelchairs to those in need, locally and abroad
Assisting victims of natural disasters
Saving lives through the “Ultrasound Program”

And so much more. Our mission, fueled by faith in God, compels us to serve. Together, we’ve donated over $1.4 billion and 664 million volunteer hours in the past decade—testaments to love in action.

UNITY

“None of us is as good as all of us.” Knights know that together, we are stronger. We support one another, even when we differ. As a Knight, you can count on the encouragement of your brothers as we work side by side to uplift our parishes and communities.

FRATERNITY

Founded by Venerable Michael J. McGivney, the Knights were born from a desire to care for widows and children left behind. Today, our insurance program and personal acts of compassion continue that legacy. In times of illness, loss, or hardship, we stand together—brother to brother.

PATRIOTISM

Whether American, Canadian, Filipino, Polish, or Dominican, Knights are proud citizens devoted to God and country. We stand for both, reminding the world that Catholic faith and civic duty go hand in hand.

Join us in Praying for Blessed Michael McGivney's Intercession

Submit a Prayer

Through the gracious efforts of the Father Michael McGivney Guild, you can submit a prayer request using the link below asking for Father McGivney's intercession for your needs.

Your submitted intention will be remembered at a weekly Mass offered by Father Gabriel O'Donnell.

SUBMIT A PRAYER INTENTION

Solemn Mass and Beatification of Fr. Michael McGivney

As shared by William Nardi:

On November 1, 2020, after the Holy Father recited the Angelus, he continued his address, bringing up Blessed Michael McGivney’s beatification ceremony the day before:

"Dear brothers and sisters, yesterday, in Hartford, in the United States of America, Michael McGivney, diocesan priest, founder of the Knights of Columbus, was declared Blessed. Dedicated to evangelization, he did everything possible to provide for the needs of the needy, promoting mutual aid. May his example be an impetus for us to witness ever more to the Gospel of charity. Let us give a round of applause to this new Blessed!"

Click Here to watch the Holy Father’s address on video.

Blessed Father Michael McGivney Additional Resources

Father Michael McGivney Beatification Mass Program

Short Articles on Father McGivney

Eulogies on Father McGivney's Life

From Vision to Brotherhood:
The Story of the Knights

In the late 19th century, Connecticut, like other places, had communities that experienced hardship and division. Anti-Catholic prejudice ran deep, and factory work was perilous—leaving many families without fathers and communities without support. Amid this climate of uncertainty, one parish priest saw a need and responded with faith and foresight.

On October 2, 1881, Father Michael J. McGivney gathered a group of men at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven. He proposed forming a lay organization that would unite Catholic men in fellowship, protect them from secret societies hostile to Church teaching, and provide for the families of those who had passed. His vision was simple yet profound: a brotherhood rooted in charity, unity, and fraternity.

Just months later, in February 1882, the Knights of Columbus elected their first officers. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Father McGivney and his parishioners, the Connecticut state legislature officially chartered the Knights of Columbus on March 29, 1882, as a fraternal benefit society. What began as a humble parish initiative has grown into the world’s foremost Catholic fraternal organization.

From its inception, the Order has been committed to rendering financial aid and spiritual support to members and their families. Mutual assistance is extended to the sick, disabled, and those in need. Beyond financial protection, the Knights foster social and intellectual fellowship through charitable, educational, and religious works—serving both local communities and global missions.

Today, the legacy of Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney—whose cause for sainthood is under investigation by the Vatican—continues to inspire. The Knights of Columbus now number over 2.1 million members in nearly 17,000 active councils across 17+ countries and territories around the world.

Bahamas
Canada
Cuba
Dominican Republic
France
Guam

Guatemala
Lithuania
Mexico
Panama
Philippines
Poland

Puerto Rico
Saipan
South Korea
Ukraine
United States
Virgin Islands

First Exemplification of the Fourth Degree on February 22, 1900

2025 Installation of Officers for Knights of Columbus Council 5207

Their charitable reach is vast and varied. From international partnerships with Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, and the Global Wheelchair Mission, to grassroots initiatives like Coats for Kids and Food for Families, the Knights embody faith in action. Each project is a testament to the enduring power of unity and service.

More than a century later, the Order remains true to its founding principles. In every act of charity, every moment of fellowship, and every prayer offered in solidarity, the Knights of Columbus continue to answer Father McGivney’s call—to be men of faith, men of compassion, and men for others.

The Story of the Knights

Our Faithful Founder

The Four Pillars of Our Brotherhood

The Emblem of the Knights of Columbus

Historical Highlights

Honoring Our Past: Council 5207's Story

Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney:
A Priest for Our Times

In the heart of 19th-century America, amid anti-Catholic prejudice and social hardship, one parish priest quietly sowed the seeds of a movement that would transform lives across generations. Father Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, was more than a visionary—he was a servant of God whose compassion, courage, and commitment to the laity continue to inspire millions today.

Born in 1852, Father McGivney witnessed firsthand the struggles of immigrant families and the dangers faced by factory workers, many of whom died young and left their loved ones without support. In response, he gathered a group of men at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, on October 2, 1881, proposing a lay organization that would unite Catholic men, uphold Church teaching, and care for the families of deceased members. His vision gave birth to the Knights of Columbus, officially chartered in March 1882.

Father McGivney’s legacy is one of spiritual genius and practical compassion. Through his leadership, the Knights became a way for Catholic men to transform friends into brothers—brothers who serve, protect, and uplift one another. His founding principles of charity, unity, and fraternity remain the bedrock of the Order today.

Information provided by the Father Michael McGivney Guild.

Click here to visit the FMM Guild website for additional information.

A Witness for the World:
The Global Impact of Blessed Michael McGivney

The Church has recognized his extraordinary life of virtue. In March 2008, Pope Benedict XVI named him a Venerable Servant of God, citing his role in the “impressive growth” of Catholicism in the United States. On May 26, 2020, Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to Father McGivney’s intercession, paving the way for his beatification. During the Mass of Beatification on October 31, 2020, Pope Francis praised his “zeal for the proclamation of the Gospel and generous concern for the needs of his brothers and sisters,” calling him “an outstanding witness of Christian solidarity and fraternal assistance.”

His annual feast day is celebrated on August 13, nestled between the day of his birth and the day he entered eternal life. Today, more than 2 million Knights and their families continue to seek his heavenly intercession, just as those in need once sought his help in life. His example remains a guiding light for all who strive to live with faith, courage, and love.

Those who knew him described a man of genial warmth and indomitable will—a priest whose founding of the Knights of Columbus “attests to the love in which he held his brother man.” As we honor his legacy, we are reminded that holiness is not distant—it is found in service, in fellowship, and in the quiet courage to do good.

Early Years

Michael Joseph McGivney was born in Waterbury, Conn., on August 12, 1852, the first child of Patrick and Mary (Lynch) McGivney. His parents came to the United States in the great 19th-century wave of Irish immigration and were married in Waterbury. Patrick was a molder in the heat and noxious fumes of a brass mill. Mary gave birth to 13 children, six of whom died young, leaving Michael with four living sisters and two brothers.

Life was not easy, especially for Catholic immigrant families who often faced prejudice, social exclusion, and financial and social disadvantages. Young Michael thus experienced from an early age grief, anti-Catholic bigotry and poverty. But his faith sustained him. At home and in church, he learned and embraced love, faith, fortitude, prayer and putting love of God above any earthly rewards.

Michael attended the public schools of Waterbury’s working-class neighborhoods. A good student, he was noted for “Excellent deportment and proficiency in his studies.” At age 13, shortly after the Civil War, he graduated three years early and began work in the spoon-making department of a brass factory to provide a few more dollars for his family.

Seminarian

In 1868, 16-year-old Michael left home to pursue God’s call to the priesthood. His formation as a seminarian was rich and diverse, spanning two countries, four seminaries and instruction by three religious orders — the charity-oriented Vincentians, the academically rigorous Jesuits, and the experienced formers of diocesan clergy, the Sulpicians.

Throughout his formation, his personal virtues, concern for others and use of God-given intellectual talents shone forth. At the College of St. Hyacinthe in Quebec, Canada, he received an award for his studious dedication. He also stood out academically at Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and St. Mary’s Seminary in Montreal.

In June 1873, tragedy struck with the death of his father, nearly upending 20-year-old Michael’s vocation. He returned to Waterbury for the funeral, unsure whether he would need to leave seminary and return to factory work to support the family. By God’s grace, the bishop of Hartford intervened. Seeing Michael’s great priestly potential, he provided financial support for him to enter St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. There, Michael was appointed sacristan, a responsibility that underscored his reputation for piety and orderliness. Holiness did not make him aloof, and he was remembered for his sense of humor — as well as for his enthusiasm for the relatively new game of baseball.

After four years of study, Michael was ordained by Archbishop (later Cardinal) James Gibbons on Dec. 22, 1877, in Baltimore’s historic Cathedral of the Assumption, the nation’s first cathedral. A few days later, with his widowed mother present, Father Michael J. McGivney celebrated his first public Mass at Immaculate Conception Church in Waterbury, beginning his life as a priest — a busy and difficult vocation — which then had a life expectancy of only about 40 years.

Parish Priest

Father McGivney was assigned as curate (assistant) of St. Mary's Church, the first Catholic parish in the busy port city of New Haven. There he faced challenges related to a priest shortage, parish debt, illnesses, and hostility toward Catholics. The church became a lightning rod for anti-Catholic derision, expressed in a New York Times headline, “How an Aristocratic Avenue Was Blemished by a Roman Church Edifice.” Against this backdrop, Father McGivney navigated relationships with non-Catholics gracefully, while striving to prevent the culture’s hostility from eroding the faith of his people.

Sought out for his wise counsel, and instrumental in a number of conversions to Catholicism, Father McGivney had a gift for touching hearts and leading souls to God.

In a notable case that gained widespread press coverage, he ministered to James (Chip) Smith, a 21-year-old Catholic who was on death row for shooting and killing a police officer while drunk. Father McGivney visited him daily to offer guidance, prayer and Mass in the city jail over many months. This had a profound effect. The young man’s change of heart was so marked that local newspapers hailed Father McGivney’s ministry.

After Mass on execution day, the priest's grief was profound. Smith comforted him, saying, “Father, your saintly ministrations have enabled me to meet death without a tremor. Do not fear for me, I must not break down now.” Father McGivney walked with him to the end, leading him in prayer and blessing him at the scaffold.

‘A Man of the People’

With a priestly heart, he accompanied those of all ages and walks of life in their suffering and uncertainty, and found practical ways to address their needs. While his first concern was always the faith of his flock, he was attuned to familial, social, financial, civic and societal issues as well. His strong, serene demeanor spoke both of God’s law and mercy, and people were naturally drawn to his reserved yet welcoming manner. Intent on building a dynamic parish for his hard-working and largely poor flock, he staged parish plays, outings and fairs, and he revitalized a group dedicated to overcoming alcoholism within his community.

According to one of his contemporaries, Father McGivney’s “life was an open book, whose pages all might read, and the influences that radiated from his active, energetic and zealous personality, brought many a poor wanderer to the house of God, back to the faith of his childhood, and to the sacred tribunal of penance, where with faith, contrition and humility, he became reconciled to his Heavenly Father. Father McGivney was nothing, if not active. His energy was restless, ever seeking new outlets, and to this disposition are we indebted for the existence of the Knights of Columbus.”

In an article titled “The Personality of Father McGivney,” a fellow priest described his demeanor in almost mystical terms: “It was a ‘priest’s face’ and that explains everything. It was a face of wonderful repose. There was nothing harsh in that countenance although there was everything that was strong.” In a similar vein, a layman wrote of Father McGivney’s steady and reassuring voice attracted even some non-Catholics to the church to hear him preach.

A man of strategic vision, Father McGivney worked closely with the city’s leading Catholic men, whom he gathered in the basement of St. Mary’s Church to explore the idea of a Catholic fraternal benefit society. The new Order would help men keep their faith; would make the case that one could be both a good Catholic and a good American citizen; and would financially help families who had lost a breadwinner to stay together, thereby not only enabling their temporal well-being but also helping them avoid a disbanding that could erode their faith as well.

In the words of one parishioner, “He was a man of the people. He was zealous of the people’s welfare, and all the kindliness of his priestly soul asserted itself more strongly in his unceasing efforts for the betterment of their condition.”

Having created a thriving parish community, when Father McGivney was transferred from St. Mary’s Parish in New Haven to become pastor of St. Thomas Parish in Thomaston, the grief among his parishioners was palpable. A journalist covering his last Mass at St. Mary’s described the scene: “Never, it seemed, was a congregation so affected by the parting address of a clergyman as the great audience which filled St. Mary’s yesterday. Some of those present wept aloud and others sobbed audibly.”

Founder

Decades ahead of his time, Father McGivney had a keen sense of the layman’s unique vocation, needs and potential contributions, and he drew his people into the life and activities of the parish. This respect for the laity led Father McGivney to found the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal organization for Catholic men, in 1882.

The young priest designed a way to strengthen the Catholic faith of men and their families while providing financial protection when they suffered the death of the breadwinner. He well knew that keeping families together assisted both temporal and spiritual needs. At the time, without means of financial support, families were often split up, threatening both the integrity of the family and — depending on the destination of the various family members — their faith as well. His new fraternity was designed to provide Catholic men with an alternative to anti-Catholic secret societies that offered social and employment advancement but drew them away from the faith.

Father McGivney proposed that the new group be named for Christopher Columbus. Universally esteemed at the time as the heroic discoverer of the New World, Columbus would highlight the deep roots of Catholics in America — and the long history of Catholic evangelization in this hemisphere.

On March 29 – a day celebrated annually as Founder’s Day – the Connecticut legislature granted a charter establishing the Knights of Columbus as a legal corporation.

The name “Knights” appealed to the Civil War veterans in the group who saw the noble principles of knighthood in the Order’s protection of the faith, family finances and the civil and religious rights of Catholics. A charter member wrote that Father McGivney was “acclaimed as founder by 24 men with hearts full of joy and thanksgiving; recognizing that without his optimism, his will to succeed, his counsel and advice, they would have failed.”

In a letter to priests of his diocese, Father McGivney said that his first goal in founding the Knights of Columbus was “to prevent people from entering Secret Societies, by offering the same, if not better, advantages to our members.” His second purpose was “to unite the men of our Faith throughout the Diocese of Hartford, that we may thereby gain strength to aid each other in time of sickness; to provide for decent burial, and to render pecuniary assistance to the families of deceased members.”

The Order’s original principles were unity and charity. “Unity in order to gain strength to be charitable to each other in benevolence whilst we live and in bestowing financial aid to those whom we have to mourn,” Father McGivney wrote. Principles of fraternity and patriotism were added later. Knights were led by their founder to take on the many challenges facing Catholic family life — poverty, early death, secret societies, anti-Catholicism — with the flexibility to take on other duties in the future. With a vision for growth, he asked the pastors in Connecticut to kindly help “in the formation of a council in your parish.”

As an indication of the respect the first Knights had for Father McGivney’s leadership, they moved to elect him head of the new Order. However, the humble priest insisted that a layman should lead the lay organization. James T. Mullen, a Civil War veteran, was elected the first supreme knight and Father McGivney took up the office of supreme secretary. Two years later, when operations were on a sound footing, Father McGivney resigned his executive post to become supreme chaplain, explaining that his first obligation to the Order was to serve as a priest.

Pastor

In November 1884, Father McGivney was named pastor of St. Thomas Church in Thomaston, a factory town more than 30 miles from New Haven named for the clockmaker Seth Thomas. The parish served working-class parishioners who had few resources beyond their faith. With prayerful acceptance, Father McGivney put his seven years at St. Mary’s behind him and moved from the bustling city of New Haven to the smaller town of Thomaston.

At his last Mass at St. Mary’s, the large church was filled with grateful souls who felt closer to God through his ministry. A printed testimonial said that his courtesy, kindness and purity of life, despite burdens and afflictions, had “secured the love and confidence of the people of St. Mary’s, which will follow him in every future field of labor.” His flock in New Haven was heartbroken at his departure.

In his six years at St. Thomas, Father McGivney was an admirable pastor who built strong ties with parishioners and cared for their spiritual and temporal welfare. He also cared for a mission church, driving his horse and carriage to celebrate Sunday Mass in both locations. He continued to serve as supreme chaplain, but like a true “Father” and pastor of souls, he trusted the leaders of the Order in New Haven to carry on the work he began among them, as the Knights of Columbus continued to grow beyond Connecticut.

Holy Death

Never robust in health, Father McGivney fell ill with tuberculosis and was stricken with severe pneumonia in January 1890. The young priest lost physical strength just as his Order was moving toward new vitality. After seeking respite and remedies, he was eventually confined to bed in the rectory, where his concern and prayers for his people only increased. He died on August 14, two days past his 38th birthday.

The funeral was an indication of the love and respect the people held for this hard-working, holy parish priest. His funeral drew Catholics from across the state, including the bishop, more than 70 fellow priests, and civic leaders. Mourners rented every available carriage within miles for the procession to the McGivney family plot in Waterbury.

The funeral also reflected the deep personal appeal that Catholics found in the Knights of Columbus. Delegations came from almost every one of the 57 Knights of Columbus councils that had been chartered in the Order’s first eight years. Father McGivney’s holy example also inspired his two younger brothers, Patrick and John, who followed him into the priesthood and served the Order as supreme chaplains.

Today, the earthly remains of Father McGivney are interred in a polished sarcophagus in New Haven’s St. Mary’s Church, where he founded the Knights of Columbus. His vision and mission are carried forth by nearly 2 million Knights of Columbus throughout the world, who form a band of brothers under the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.

Visit the YouTube channel of the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council to watch more enlightening videos.

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