Who are the Knights?
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization, with 1.8 million members. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families and young people.
Membership Benefits
As a member of the Knights of Columbus you and your family enjoy many benefits, including 12 free issues annually of Columbia magazine, the world's largest Catholic family magazine, eligibility to join the Knights of Columbus top-ranked life insurance program, and many more family and personal benefits.
Council 14129 has sponsored many parish events over this past year, including Polish Night, Irish Night, and others. Council 14129 also helps sponsor the Middle School dances, holds the Knights Free Throw challenge each year and sponsors an Easter Egg hunt on Easter Sunday. Please see the council calendar for upcoming events.
How to Join
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practicing Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who are at least 18 years old. A practicing Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church. Application forms are available from any member of the Knights of Columbus. You will know them because they wear WHITE namebadges. You can also contact us here for more information; we will gladly get in touch with you!
DEGREES
The Order of Knights of Columbus is dedicated to the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.
A First Degree exemplification ceremony, by which a man joins the Order, explicates the virtue of CHARITY. He is then said to be a First Degree Knight of Columbus.
The Second Degree ceremony does not have any requirements or applications to fill out. (Your council dues cover the cost of the ceremony). The second degree ceremonies supports UNITY of the Knights.
The Third Degree ceremony does not have any requirements or applications to fill out either. (As with the second your council dues cover the cost of the ceremony). The third degree supports FRATERNITY of the Knights.
Upon reaching the Third Degree, a gentleman is considered a full member.
Fourth Degree
The Fourth Degree is the ceremonial wing of the Knights of Columbus. The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster a spirit of PATRIOTISM by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of, and loyalty to, the Knights' respective countries, through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups (called "assemblies").
Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus.
Any 3rd Degree member in good standing, six months after the anniversary of his 1st Degree, is eligible for membership in the 4th Degree.
Squires
Under the guidance of Christian Brother Barnabas McDonald (1865-1929), the first Columbian Squires circle was instituted in 1925. Membership in the Squires is for Catholic boys between the ages of 12 and 17. Squires' activities are many, varying from spiritual to active service for the Church and community. Each circle elects officer members from their own rank, teaching skills of leadership and responsibility.