Forms & Council Officer Links
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Supreme Forms
State Forms
Fraternal Programs Report Form
Council Officer Links
WHO WE ARE
We are Catholic men building a bridge back to faith. There is much good and necessary work to be done in this world, and that's what Knights do every day.
Charity is at the heart of our work and our faith — and it always has been. For the Knights of Columbus, charity means supporting a virtually boundless variety of projects.
Our goal is to help men, their families and their parishes grow closer to Christ. Through our programs and resources, we provide opportunities to live and spread the Catholic faith.
We are Catholic men who lead, serve, protect and defend. We share a desire to be better husbands, fathers, sons, neighbors and role models and to put charity and community first.
The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal benefit society, which means we can provide financial security to members and their families, while turning premiums into charitable impact.
Knights of Columbus Founding Principles and Core Values:
Father Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus on the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. Today, these principles serve as the foundation of our Core Values:
Integrity: Firm adherence to ethics, honesty, and a moral code.
Professionalism: Promoting the highest standards in all we do.
Excellence: Leading by example and constantly striving to be the best.
Respect: Treating each other with the highest regard.
Founded on the principles of charity, unity and fraternity, the Knights of Columbus was established in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Conn., and a group of parishioners. Their intent? To bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled and needy members and their families.
Today, Father McGivney is being considered for sainthood.
THE EMBLEM
The colors of our emblem also carry great significance: red for our faith in Christ, blue for hope, gold for the joy of service and white for charity. Together, the elements of our emblem convey our dedication to serve in Christ’s name.
Ax – a symbol of strength, authority and preparedness for duty.
Anchor – the mariner’s symbol for Columbus, patron of the Order, for hope and steadfastness.
Sword – the medieval knight’s weapon on an errand of mercy and justice.
WHAT DOES "VIVAT JESUS" MEAN?
The phrase "Vivat Jesus" comes from the book, "With God's Help- Memoirs of Bishop Charles P. Greco”.
In the file, per Supreme Knight Virgil Dechant*, "Vivat Jesus" was introduced around 1980 during the revision of the Ceremonials of the Order (1977-1978) as a method of greeting another Knight. It came from Bishop Greco's motto.
After a thorough search through the archives of Columbia Magazine it is found on page 10 of the October 1978 edition of Columbia an article titled “Portrait of a Prayer: Vivat Jesus”, following paragraphs is found:
The underlying theme Vivat Jesus of the 96th annual meeting of the Supreme Council in New Orleans made clear that the activities and programs carried on by the Knights of Columbus must be inspired and nourished by the Catholic faith.
This message was stressed emphatically by Supreme Knight Virgil C. Dechant in his report to the delegates and in his brief address at the States Dinner. It was underlined in the Virgil C. Dechant GCPO GCSG KHS (September 24, 1930 – February 15, 2020) was the twelfth Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, a position he held from January 21, 1977, to September 30, 2000.greetings sent to the delegates by Jean Cardinal Villot, writing as the Secretary of State for the late Pope Paul VI. It also comprised the substance of the message received from Archbishop Jean Jadot, apostolic delegate in the United States.
It recurred repeatedly in the homily delivered by Archbishop Philip M. Hannan at the opening concelebrated Mass and in the address of Bishop Charles P. Greco, supreme chaplain, at the States Dinner.
The theme received eloquent expression from Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux of Houma-Thibodaux as he spoke at the family hour of prayer during the Wednesday afternoon open session . The well-attended religious ceremony-an innovation at this year's convention-by itself dramatized the spiritual bedrock which supports all the projects and programs of the Order.
Dechant accented the spiritual motif in the first few words of his annual report by asking all the delegates to join him in placing the Order and his administration under the special protection of the Blessed Mother and by dedicating the convention to the theme Vivat Jesus (Long lives Jesus). The motto graces the episcopal shield of Bishop Greco.
Basically, these few paragraphs are saying that 1978 Supreme Convention's theme was Vivat Jesus; this was the Knights of Columbus' first official use of the phrase. The phrase has passed around from one place to another, and now is used all across the world as a universal greeting of the Knights of Columbus. The phrase is often used at the beginning or end of someone’s remarks.
The response is always, Vivat Jesus!
Virgil C. Dechant GCPO GCSG KHS (September 24, 1930 – February 15, 2020) was the twelfth Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, a position he held from January 21, 1977, to September 30, 2000 pictured above.
