To fully appreciate the dynamics of the Knights of Columbus, you have to take a step back in time to the 1880's. At this time, many European immigrants were first arriving in our country. Catholic Immigrants were a despised minority. They were given only the lowest paid, most menial and often dangerous jobs. Poverty, disease and accidents took their toll, often resulting in the loss of the breadwinner.

This was a time when our Catholic Families were under tremendous pressure to abandon their faith

simply to find basic security.

In New Haven, CT - When a family was in crisis, they would walk past the sign across the street that said, “CATHOLIC AND DOGS KEEP OFF” to  knock on the rectory door at Saint Mary’s Parish. When Father McGivney answered, he would empty his pantry and his purse to help these families as he could. It just wasn’t enough.

Father Michael J. McGivney, responded. In 1882 he brought together the concerned men of his Parish in the church basement to form the Knights of Columbus. He chartered our Order to serve and provide financial aid to our members and their families. In formation, he made a promise to those men, that is that our Order would be there to help the members families in good times or bad

This is the promise that our Order has kept since 1882. It is the promise that we still keep today. Father McGivney started the Knights of Columbus as an Insurance Order. Along with the other discriminations against our Catholic Families, we were unable to buy life insurance. As such, our Catholic men were dying without insurance, leaving penniless widows and children. Extended families were usually overseas and unable to help. Women could not work. Life insurance was critical to find any measure of success and continuity.

I believe Father McGivney would be amazed to see the Order today. The Knights of Columbus has grown into a pillar of financial strength. Currently, we are one of very few insurance companies with the highest (superior) ratings from both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor. Our Order is also recognized as having the highest ethical standard as determined by IMSA.

Today the Knights of Columbus is a Catholic, family, fraternal service organization. Our 1.7 million members and their families are dedicated to the ideals of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. We work to benefit our communities, Church and fellowman. In the past ten years alone, Knights have worked effectively on programs to benefit countless others in need, donating more than $1.28 billion and providing over 617 million hours of volunteer community service over the past ten years.

                                                                                        Jim McCabe