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Father Michael J. McGivney
Knights of Columbus Founder
(1852-1890) |
Fr. Michael J. McGivney, a
curate at St. Mary's Church, New Haven, Connecticut, expressed what he perceived as a need
to establish a Catholic fraternal benefit society that would provide assistance to those
families experiencing the loss of the breadwinner of the family. An exploratory
meeting was held in the basement of St. Mary's Church on Sunday, October 2, 1881.
After several meetings the Order was incorporated in Connecticut on March 29, 1882 and was
called the Knights of Columbus. On May 15, the Order was born when thirty-six men
formed the first Council - San Salvador Council.
The Order is now composed of more than 1,600,000 members in 10,800 active
Councils. The organization of The Knights of Columbus contains four levels of
operation:
- The Supreme Council operates under the leadership of five Supreme Officers, a Supreme
Chaplain and a Board of Directors. The leader of the Organization is Supreme Knight
Carl Anderson, who has served in the capacity since 2000. Serving as
Supreme Chaplain is the Bishop of Brooklyn - Most Rev. Thomas V. Daily.
- The State Council operates under the leadership of five Elected Officers plus the
Immediate Past State Deputy. The leader on the state level is the State Deputy.
Appointed by the State Deputy are District Deputies, Are Coordinators, State
Directors, Chairmen, and Committee persons. The number of Districts, Program and
Membership Personnel varies with the terms of the State Deputy. The practice in
Louisiana is that they will serve for a period of two (2) years. The State Office in
Lafayette is under the jurisdiction of the State Deputy.
- The Subordinate Councils serve as the foundation of the Knights of Columbus. As of
1/1/98 - the Louisiana Jurisdiction has 275 Active Councils with a total membership of
33,728 members.
- The Insurance Agencies serve an important part in the Knights of Columbus. It is
through this group that the Order is able to offer insurance coverage to the members and
their families. Louisiana has four agencies with a force of about 40 insurance field
agents.
The Louisiana Jurisdiction was formed in 1902 in New Orleans and the first
Council was Council 714.
To understand more about the Knights of Columbus on the National and State
Levels - it is recommended that you read the following books:
- Columbianism and the Knights of Columbus
- Louisiana History Book - 1902-1962
- Louisiana History Book - 1963-1992
- Faith and Fraternalism
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