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{{no footnotes|date=June 2014}}
{{Distinguish|Knights of St Columba}}
{{Orphan|date=June 2014}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox organization
|name = Knights of Columbus
|image = Knights_of_Columbus_color_enhanced_vector_kam.svg
|alt = The Knights of Columbus emblem consists of a a shield mounted on a Formée cross. Mounted on the shield are a fasces, an anchor, and a dagger.
|size = 260px
|caption = Knights of Columbus Emblem
|abbreviation = KofC
|motto = In service to One,<br>In service to all.
|formation = {{start date and years ago|1882|03|29}}
|headquarters =[[Knights of Columbus Building (New Haven, Connecticut)|1 Columbus Plaza]],<br> [[New Haven, Connecticut]], USA
<!-- |coords={{coord|41|18|9.92|N|72|55|39.94|W|type:landmark_scale:1000_region:US|display=inline,title}} -->
|type = [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[Fraternal and service organizations|fraternal]] [[Volunteer|service]] organization
|leader_title = Founder
|leader_name = [[Venerable#Roman Catholic|Venerable]] [[Michael J. McGivney]]
| leader_title2 = Supreme Knight
| leader_name2 = [[Carl A. Anderson]]
| leader_title3 = Supreme Chaplain
| leader_name3 = [[Archbishop]] [[William E. Lori]]
|website = {{url|http://www.kofc.org}}
}}
The '''Knights of Columbus''' is the world's largest [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[Fraternal and service organizations|fraternal service organization]]. Founded by the Venerable Father [[Michael J. McGivney]] in [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]], [[Connecticut]], in 1882, it was named in honor of the [[mariner]] [[Christopher Columbus]]. Originally serving as a [[Friendly society|mutual benefit society]] to low-income immigrant Catholics, it developed into a fraternal benefit society dedicated to providing charitable services, promoting [[Catholic education]] and actively defending [[Catholicism]] in various nations.<ref name="CathEncy"/><ref name=KofCHistory/>


'''Nightfever''' is a [[Roman Catholic]] association that organizes prayer evenings in cities, with special aim to non-practizing passengers. Essential parts of the prayer evenings are [[Eucharistic adoration]], prayers, [[Contemporary worship music|Worship and praise]] music and [[Sacrament of Penance (Catholic Church)|Confession]]. It is primarily directed to young adults. ''Nightfever'' events take place in over 30 European and American cities, and is especially centered in [[Roman Catholicism in Germany|Germany]] where it comes from.
There are more than 1.85 million members in nearly 15,000 councils, with nearly 200 councils on college campuses. Membership is limited to "practical"<ref name="these men"/> Catholic men <!-- Please note, "practical" is not a mistake – this is the precise language used on the membership application form --> aged 18 or older. Membership consists of four different degrees, each exemplifying a different principle of the Order. The Order is a member of the [[International Alliance of Catholic Knights]].<ref name="iack"/>

Councils have been chartered in the United States (including some territories), Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam, Saipan, South Korea, and on US military bases around the world.<ref name="fac"/> The Knights' official junior organization, the [[Columbian Squires]], has over 5,000 circles and the Order's patriotic arm, the Fourth Degree, has more than 2,500 assemblies.<ref name="Annual2006"/>

For their support for the Church and local communities, as well as for their philanthropic efforts, [[Pope John Paul II]] referred to the Order as a "strong right arm of the Church."<ref name="JPII"/> In 2013, the Order gave over US$170.1 million directly to charity and performed over 70.5 million [[man-hour]]s of voluntary service. <ref>https://www.kofc.org/un/en/news/releases/detail/kofc-sets-record-charity.html</ref> Over {{convert|413000|USpt}} of blood were donated in 2010.<ref name="2009 charity"/> The Order's insurance program has more than US$90 billion of life insurance policies in force, backed up by $19.8 billion in assets,<ref name="kamal"/> and holds the highest insurance ratings given by [[A. M. Best]] and the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association.<ref name="imsa"/> Within the United States on the national and state level, the Order is active in the political arena lobbying for laws and positions that uphold the Catholic Church's positions on public policy and social issues.


==History==
==History==
''Nightfever'' is an initiative which grew out of [[World Youth Day]] 2005 in Cologne, and in the following time spread across Germany, where there are regularly meetings in many Catholic churches and was also introduced into other European cities. The founders are Katharina Fassler-Maloney and Andreas Süß. Only one event was originally planned, which was then reiterated due to its success.


===Founding===
==Concept==
After an evening Mass on a Saturday in the centre of the city the [[Blessed Sacrament]] is exposed for [[Eucharistic adoration|adoration]], accompanied by prayer, singing and the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (penance) and to talk (with a priest, etc.) until late into the night. Volunteers go out into the streets and invite people into the church.
[[File:Father McGivney 300.jpg|thumb|alt=A painting of the Michael J. McGivney.|[[Michael J. McGivney]], founder of the Knights of Columbus.]]
An Irish-American Catholic priest, Michael J. McGivney, founded the Knights of Columbus in New Haven, Connecticut. He gathered a group of men from [[St. Mary's Church (New Haven, Connecticut)|St. Mary's Parish]] for an organizational meeting on October 2, 1881, and the Order was incorporated under the laws of the state of Connecticut on March 29, 1882.<ref name=KofCHistory/> Although the first councils were all in that state, the Order spread throughout New England and the United States in subsequent years. By 1889, there were 300 councils comprising 40,000 knights. Ten years later, in 1909, there were 230,000 knights in 1,300 councils.<ref name="Diverse"/>


==Venues==
The primary motivation for the Order was to be a mutual benefit society. As a parish priest in an immigrant community, McGivney saw what could happen to a family when the main income earner died, and wanted to provide insurance to care for the widows and orphans left behind. He had to temporarily leave his seminary studies to care for his family when his father died.{{sfn|Brinkley|Fenster|2006|p=51}} In the late 19th century, Catholics were regularly excluded from labor unions and other organizations that provided social services.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|pp=8-9}} In addition, Catholics were either barred from many of the popular fraternal organizations, or, as in the case of [[Freemasonry]], [[Papal ban of Freemasonry|forbidden from joining]] by the Catholic Church itself. McGivney wished to provide them an alternative. He also believed that Catholicism and fraternalism were not incompatible and wished to found a society that would encourage men to be proud of their American-Catholic heritage.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=17}}


''Nightfever'' takes place in city centre Catholic churches.
McGivney traveled to Boston to examine the Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters and to Brooklyn to learn about the recently established Catholic Benevolent League, both of which offered insurance benefits. He found the latter to be lacking the excitement he thought was needed if his organization were to compete with the secret societies of the day. He expressed an interest in establishing a New Haven Court of the Foresters, but the charter of Massachusetts Foresters prevented them from operating outside their Commonwealth. The committee of St. Mary's parishioners which McGivney had assembled then decided to form a club that was entirely original.{{sfn|Brinkley|Fenster|2006|pp=116–117}}
* Great Britain
** London, St Patrick's Church, Soho Square
** Oxford, Blackfriars
** Gosport, St Mary's RC Church
** Manchester, Holy Name Church
** Sheffield, St Marie's Cathedral
* Scotland
** Glasgow, St Aloysius Church
* Canada
**Halifax, St. Mary´s Basilica
* Germany:
** Aachen, St. Foillan
** Augsburg, Dom Unserer Lieben Frau
** Berlin, St. Bonifatius
** Bonn, St. Remigius
** Düsseldorf, St. Lambertus
** Duisburg, Liebfrauenkirche
** Erfurt, Lorenzkirche
** Frankfurt, Frankfurter Dom
** Freiburg, St. Martin
** Fulda, Heilig-Geist-Kirche
** Gummersbach, St. Franziskus
** Heidelberg, St. Anna
** Höhr-Grenzhausen, St. Peter und Paul
** Jena, St. Johannes Baptist
** Köln, Kölner Dom
** Mainz, Augustinerkirche
** München, St. Peter
** Münster, St. Lamberti
** Nürnberg, St. Elisabeth
** Paderborn, Marktkirche
** Regensburg, St. Johann
** Saarbrücken, Basilika St. Johann
** Trier, St. Gangolf
** Würzburg, Karmelitenkloster Würzburg Maria Magdalena
** Wuppertal, St. Laurentius
* Austria
** Graz, Franziskanerkloster
** Wien, Wiener Minoritenkirche
* Switzerland:
** Basel, Clarakirche
* Denmark
** Copenhagen, St. Ansgars
* Netherlands
** Oldenzaal, St. Plechelmus-Basilika
* The United States of America
** [[Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago]]<ref name=young/>


==External Links==
[[File:Ridolfo Ghirlandaio Columbus.jpg|thumb|alt=A painting of Christopher Columbus.|[[Christopher Columbus]] is the patron and namesake of the Knights.]]
The name of Columbus was also partially intended as a mild rebuke to [[White Anglo-Saxon Protestant|Anglo-Saxon Protestant]] leaders, who upheld the explorer (a Catholic [[Genoa|Genovese]] Italian working for Catholic Spain) as an American hero, yet simultaneously sought to marginalize recent Catholic immigrants. In taking Columbus as their patron, they were sending the message that not only could Catholics be full members of American society, but were, in fact, instrumental in its foundation.<ref name="500 years"/> McGivney had originally conceived of the name "Sons of Columbus", but [[James T. Mullen]], who would become the first [[Supreme Knight]], successfully suggested that "Knights of Columbus" would better capture the ritualistic nature of the new organization.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=16}}


* [http://www.nightfever-london.org/ Nightfever-London] – official Website for the UK
By the time of the first annual convention in 1884, the Order was prospering. In the five councils throughout Connecticut there were 459 members. Groups from other states were requesting information.{{sfn|Brinkley|Fenster|2006|p=171}} The Charter of 1899 included four statements of purpose, including: "To promote such social and intellectual intercourse among its members as shall be desirable and proper, and by such lawful means as to them shall seem best."{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=73}} The new charter showed members' desire to grow the organization beyond a simple mutual benefit insurance society.
* [http://www.nightfever-online.de/ Nightfever-Portal] – official German Website for all Nightfever-Cities

The original insurance system devised by McGivney gave a deceased Knight's widow a $1,000 death benefit. Each member was assessed $1 upon a death, and when the number of Knights grew beyond 1,000 the assessment decreased according to the rate of increase.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=22}} Each member, regardless of age, was assessed equally. As a result, younger, healthier members could expect to pay more over the course of their lifetimes than those men who joined when they were older.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|pp=36–37}} There was also a Sick Benefit Deposit for members who fell ill and could not work. Each sick Knight was entitled to draw up to $5 a week for 13 weeks (roughly equivalent to $125.75 in 2009 dollars<ref name="currency"/>). If he remained sick after that, the council to which he belonged regulated the sum of money given to him.{{sfn|Brinkley|Fenster|2006|p=123}}

===Creation of the Fourth Degree===
From the very early days of the Order there were calls to create some sort of recognition for senior members,{{sfn|Egan|Kennedy|1920|p=117}} and a special plea was made at the National Meeting of 1899.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|pp=137–139}} As early as 1886 Supreme Knight James T. Mullen had proposed a patriotic degree with its own symbolic dress.{{sfn|Kauffman|2001|p=15}} The Grand Cross of the Knights of Columbus was established, but the only recipient was Cristobal Colón y de La Cerda, [[Duke of Veragua]] and descendant of Columbus, when he visited the US in 1893.{{sfn|Egan|Kennedy|1920|p=117}}

About 1,400 members attended the first exemplification of the Fourth Degree at the Lenox Lyceum in New York on February 22, 1900,{{sfn|Egan|Kennedy|1920|p=117}}{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|pp=137–139}} and it was infused with Catholic and patriotic symbols and imagery that "celebrated American Catholic heritage".{{sfn|Kauffman|2001|p=2}} The two knights leading the ceremony, for example, were the Expositor of the Constitution and the Defender of the Faith.{{sfn|Kauffman|2001|p=2}} The ritual soon spread to other cities.{{sfn|Egan|Kennedy|1920|p=117}} The new Fourth Degree members then went back to their councils and formed assemblies composed of members from several councils. Those assemblies then chose the new members going forward.{{sfn|Egan|Kennedy|1920|p=118}}

In 1903, the Board of Directors officially approved a new degree exemplifying patriotism Order-wide, using the New York City model.{{sfn|Egan|Kennedy|1920|p=117}} There was from early on a "desire to receive within its ranks only the best", and each candidate was required to produce a certificate from his parish priest attesting that he had received Holy Communion within the past two weeks.{{sfn|Egan|Kennedy|1920|p=119}}

===Persecution by the Ku Klux Klan===
Not long after the establishment of the Fourth Degree, during the [[nadir of American race relations]], a bogus oath was circulated claiming that Fourth Degree Knights swore to exterminate Freemasons and Protestants, as well as [[Flaying|flay]], burn alive, boil, kill, and otherwise torture anyone, including women and children, when called upon to do so by church authorities.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=171}}{{sfn|Egan|Kennedy|1920|p=120}} "It is a strange paradox", according to some commentators, that the degree devoted to patriotism should be accused of anti-Americanism.{{sfn|Egan|Kennedy|1920|p=121}}

The "bogus oath" was based on a previous oath falsely attributed to the [[Jesuits]] more than three centuries earlier.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=169}} The [[Ku Klux Klan]], which was growing into a powerful force through the [[1920s]], spread the bogus oath far and wide as part of their campaign against Catholics,{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=276}} and in the [[1928 Presidential election]] a million copies were printed to hurt Catholic Democratic candidate [[Al Smith]].<ref name="fake"/> The oath was even read into the [[Congressional Record]] by [[Thomas S. Butler]],<ref name="fake"/> and refuted by the [[Committee of Public Information]], a war time propaganda agency of the US Government.{{sfn|Egan|Kennedy|1920|p=121}}

Among other statements made by the Klan, it was claimed that Knights were only loyal to the pope and that they advocated for the overthrow of the United States government.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=277}} Across the country, local, state, and the Supreme Councils offered rewards to anyone who could prove that the oath was authentic.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=278}} No one could, but that did not stop the Klan from continuing to publish and distribute copies. As it was believed that this "violent wave of religious prejudice was actuated by mercenary motives", and that publication would stop if fines were imposed and jail time assessed, numerous state councils and the Supreme Council began suing distributors for [[libel]].{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=277}} It did, but the Order did not wish to be seen as if they were motivated by a "vengeful spirit", and so asked for leniency from judges when sentencing.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=277}}

To help combat this misconception of what the Fourth Degree was about, the actual oath taken by Fourth Degree members was also submitted to various groups of prominent non-Catholic men around the country for them to examine, many of whom made public declarations attesting to the loyalty and patriotism of the Knights.{{sfn|Egan|Kennedy|1920|p=122}} After examining the actual oath, a committee of high ranking California Freemasons, a group singled out for violence in the bogus oath, declared in 1914: <blockquote>"The ceremonial of the Order [of the Knights of Columbus] teaches a high and noble patriotism, instills a love of country, inculcates a reverence of civic duty and holds up the Constitution of our Country as the richest and most precious possession of a Knight of the Order."{{sfn|Egan|Kennedy|1920|p=127}}</blockquote>

===''Pierce v. Society of Sisters''===
After World War I, many Americans were concerned about the influence of immigrants and "foreign" values and looked to public schools for help. The states drafted laws designed to use schools to promote a common American culture, and in 1922, the voters of Oregon passed the [[Oregon Compulsory Education Act]]. The law was primarily aimed at eliminating [[parochial school]]s, including Catholic schools,<ref name="pierce"/><ref name="oregon"/> and was promoted by groups such as the [[Scottish Rite|Scottish Rite Masons]], the [[Knights of Pythias]], the Federation of Patriotic Societies, the Oregon Good Government League, the [[Orange Order]], and the Ku Klux Klan.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=282}}

The Compulsory Education Act required almost all children in Oregon between eight and sixteen years of age to attend [[Public school (government funded)|public school]] by 1926.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=282}} [[Roger Nash Baldwin]], an associate director of the [[ACLU]] and a personal friend of then-Supreme Advocate and future Supreme Knight [[Luke E. Hart]], offered to join forces with the Order to challenge the law. The Knights of Columbus pledged an immediate $10,000 to fight the law and any additional funds necessary to defeat it.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=283}}

The case became known as ''[[Pierce v. Society of Sisters]]'', a seminal [[United States Supreme Court]] decision that significantly expanded coverage of the [[Due Process|Due Process Clause]] in the [[Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Fourteenth Amendment]]. In a unanimous decision, the Court held that the act was unconstitutional and that parents, not the state, had the authority to educate children as they thought best.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Constitution & Religion: Leading Supreme Court Cases on Church and State |last=Alley |first=Robert S. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1999 |publisher=Prometheus Books |location=Amherst, NY |isbn=1-57392-703-1 |pages=41–44 }}</ref>

===Racial integration in the U.S.===
In the 1920s there was growing anti-Semitism in the United States, a lingering anti-German sentiment left over from World War I, and anti-black violence was prevalent throughout the country. To combat the animus targeted at racial and religious minorities, including Catholics, the Order formed a historical commission which published a series of books, among other activities. The "Knights of Columbus Racial Contributions Series" of books included three titles: ''The Gift of Black Folk'', by [[W. E. B. Du Bois]], ''The Jews in the Making of America'' by George Cohen, and ''The Germans in the Making of America'' by Frederick Schrader.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|pp=269–270}}

As the 20th century progressed some councils were integrated, but increasing pressure came from Church officials and organizations to change its [[Blackball (blacklist)|blackball]] system. Supreme Knight [[Luke E. Hart]] was actively encouraging councils to accept black candidates by the end of the 1950s.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=396}} In 1963, Hart attended a special meeting at the White House hosted by President Kennedy to discuss [[civil rights]] with other religious leaders. A few months later, a [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] alumnus' application was rejected because he was black. Six council officers resigned in protest and the incident made national news. Hart then declared that the process for membership would be revised at the next Supreme Convention, but died before he could see it take place.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=397}}

The 1964 Supreme Convention was scheduled to be held at the Roosevelt Hotel in [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]]. A few days before the Convention, new Supreme Knight [[John W. McDevitt]] learned the hotel only admitted white guests and immediately threatened to move to another venue. The hotel changed its policy and so did the Order. The Convention amended the admissions rule to require one-third of those voting to reject a new member and in 1972 the Supreme Convention again amended its rules to require a majority of members voting to reject a candidate.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=400}}

===Recent history===
In 1997, the cause for McGivney's [[canonization]] was opened in the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford|Archdiocese of Hartford]], and then was placed before the [[Congregation for the Causes of Saints]] in 2000. The Father Michael J. McGivney Guild was formed in 1997 to promote his cause and currently has more than 140,000 members.<ref name="guild"/> Membership in the Knights of Columbus does not automatically make one a member of the guild, nor is membership restricted to Knights; members must elect to join.

On March 15, 2008, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] approved a decree recognizing McGivney's "heroic virtue", significantly advancing the priest's process toward sainthood. McGivney may now be referred to as the "[[Venerable#Roman Catholic|Venerable]] Servant of God". If the cause is successful, he would be the first priest born in the [[United States]] to be canonized as a [[saint]].<ref name="venerable"/>

==Degrees and principles==
The Order 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; after participating the subsequent degrees, each of which focuses on another virtue, he rises to that status. Upon reaching the Third Degree, a gentleman is a full member. Priests do not participate directly in Degree exemplifications as laymen do, but rather take the degree by observation.{{fact|date=December 2014}}

The first ritual handbook was printed in 1885, but contained only sections teaching Unity and Charity.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=33}} Supreme Knight Mullen, along with primary ritual author Daniel Colwell, believed that the initiation ceremony should be held in three sections "in accord with the 'Trinity of Virtues, Charity, Unity, and Brotherly love'".{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=33}} The third section, expounding Fraternity, was officially adopted in 1891.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=33}}

===Fourth degree===
[[File:Knights of Columbus in St. Patrick's Day Parade in Fort Collins, Colorado.jpg|thumb|alt=A photograph of a Knights of Columbus Color Corps marching in a Parade.| Knights of Columbus Color Corps marching in full regalia for a [[St. Patrick's Day Parade]] in [[Fort Collins, Colorado|Fort Collins]], [[Colorado]].]]

{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-left:1em"
!style="background:#efefef; width=100px|Rank
!style="background:#efefef; width=100px| '''Color'''
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Supreme Master
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Dark Blue Cape and Chapeau
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Vice Supreme Master
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Light Blue Cape and Chapeau
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Master
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Gold Cape and Chapeau
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| District Marshal
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Green Cape and Chapeau
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Faithful Navigator
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| White Cape and Chapeau
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Assembly Commander
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Purple Cape and Chapeau
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Color Corps Members
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Red Cape and White Chapeau
|-
|}

After taking their third degree, knights are eligible to receive their fourth degree, the primary purpose of which is to foster the spirit of [[patriotism]] and to encourage active Catholic citizenship. Fourth degree members, in addition to being members of their individual councils, are also members of Fourth Degree assemblies which typically comprise members of several councils. {{As of|2013}}, there were 3,109 assembilies worldwide.<ref name=Annual2013/>

Fewer than 18% of Knights join the Fourth Degree, which is optional, and whose members are referred to as "Sir Knight". Of a total 1,703,307 Knights in 2006, there were 292,289 Fourth Degree Knights.<ref name="Annual2006"/> This number increased to 335,132 in 2013.<ref name=Annual2013/> A waiting period of one year from the time the third degree was taken was eliminated in 2013, and now any Third Degree Knight is eligible to join the Fourth Degree.<ref name=Annual2013/>

A new Military Oversees Europe Special District was established in 2013 to oversee assemblies of military personnel serving on that continent.<ref name=Annual2013/><ref name=Ramstein/> Over 100 Department of Defense civilian employees and active-duty personnel based in Germany, Italy, and Britain took part in a special Fourth Degree Exemplification Ceremony at [[Ramstein Air Force Base]] in Germany in 2013,<ref name=Annual2013/><ref name=Ramstein/> and in that year exemplifications were also held in [[Camp Zama]], Japan, and [[Yongsan Garrison]] in Seoul, Korea, where there are existing assemblies.<ref name=Ramstein/>

Knights volunteer at 136 of the 153 [[Veterans Health Administration|Veteran's Affairs Medical Centers]].<ref name=Annual2013/>

====Color corps====
Fourth Degree Knights may optionally purchase and wear the full regalia and join an assembly's Color Corps. The Color Corps is the most visible arm of the Knights, as they are often seen in parades and other local events wearing their colorful regalia. Official dress for the Color Corps is a black tuxedo, [[baldric]], white gloves, cape, and naval [[chapeau]]. In warm climates and during warm months, a white dinner jacket may be worn, if done as a unit.<ref name="regalia"/>

Baldrics are worn from the right shoulder to left hip and are color specific by nation. In the United States, Panama, and the Philippines, baldrics are red, white, and blue. Red and white baldrics are used in Canada and Poland; red, white, and green in Mexico; and blue and white in Guatemala.<ref name="corps"/> Service baldrics include a scabbard for a [[sword]] and are worn over the coat while social baldrics are worn under the coat.<ref name="corps"/>

The colors on a Fourth Degree Knight's cape and chapeau denote the office he holds within the Degree. Faithful Navigators and Past Faithful Navigators are permitted to carry a white handled silver sword. Masters and Vice Supreme Masters, as well as Former Masters and Former Vice Supreme Masters, are also denoted by their gold swords.<ref name="regalia"/>

==Charitable giving==
{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-left:1em"
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| '''Year'''
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| '''US dollars donated'''<ref name=Annual2013/>
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| '''Volunteer hours donated'''<ref name=Annual2013/>
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 2012
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| $167,549,817
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 70,113,207
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 2011
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| $158,000,000
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 70,053,000
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 2010
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| $155,000,000
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 70,049,000
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 2009
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| $151,000,000
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 69,252,000
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 2008
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| $150,000,000
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 68,784,000
|}

Charity is the foremost principle of the Knights of Columbus. In 2013, the Order gave more than $170.1 million directly to charity and performed over 70.5 million man hours in volunteer service. According to [[Independent Sector]], this service has a value of more than $1.6 billion. The total charitable contributions, from the past decade, ending December 31, 2013 rose to $13.8 Billion. Finally in 2013, Knights of Columbus, on an average per member basis, donated $91.80 and contributed 38 hours of community service.<ref>https://www.kofc.org/un/en/news/releases/detail/kofc-sets-record-charity.html</ref>

More than $1.2 million were donated to [[Habitat for Humanity]] in 2012, in addition to 1.4 million volunteer hours.<ref name=Annual2013/> Over 42,000 winter coats were distributed in 2012 to children in cold weather areas as well.<ref name=Annual2013/>

The very first ever national blood drive was sponsored by the Order in 1938.<ref name=Annual2013/> In 2012, council blood drives attracted more than 423,000 donors.<ref name=Annual2013/>

United in Charity, a general, unrestricted [[endowment fund]], was introduced at the 2004 Supreme Council meeting to support and ensure the overall long-term charitable and philanthropic goals of the Order. The fund is wholly managed, maintained, and operated by Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc., a [[501(c)(3)]] charitable organization. Before United in Charity was formed, all requests for funds were met with the general funds of the Order or in combination with specific appeals.<ref name="united"/>

===Global Catholic donations===
[[File:Saint Peter's Facade at Dusk.jpg|thumb|alt=A photograph of the façade of St. Peter's Basilica.|The Order funded the first renovation of the façade of [[St. Peter's Basilica]] in over 350 years.<ref name="Rome"/>]]
The ''Vicarius Christi'' Fund has an endowment of $20 million and has earned more than $35 million since its establishment in 1981 for the [[Pope]]'s personal charities. The Knights' Satellite Uplink Program has provided funding to broadcast a number of papal events, including the annual [[Easter]] and [[Christmas]] Masses, as well as the World Day of Peace in [[Assisi]], [[World Youth Day]]s, the opening of the [[Holy Door]] at St. Peter's Basilica for the [[Great Jubilee|Millennial Jubilee]], [[Pope John Paul II]]'s visit to [[Nazareth]], and several other events. In missionary territories the Order also pays for the satellite downlink.<ref name="love"/>

The Order also has eleven separate funds totaling $18 million to assist men and women who are discerning religious vocations pay tuition and other expenses.<ref name="vocations"/> The multimillion dollar ''[[Pacem in Terris]]'' Fund aids the Catholic Church's efforts for peace in the Middle East. In 2012, $1.8 million was given by state and local councils to seminaries, with an additional $5.9 million in direct assistance to seminarians.<ref name=Annual2013/> A further $20 million went to church facilities and $7.4 million to Catholic schools from state and local councils.<ref name=Annual2013/>

===The disabled===
The Knights have a tradition of supporting those with physical and [[developmental disabilities]]. More than $382 million has been given over the past three decades to groups and programs that support the intellectually and physically disabled,<ref name=Annual2006/> with $4.1 million donated in 2012 alone.<ref name=Annual2013/>

One of the largest recipients of funds in this area is the [[Special Olympics]].<ref name=Annual2013/> In 2012, there were more than 107,000 Knights who donated 315,000 hours of service at nearly 20,000 Special Olympics events.<ref name=Annual2013/> Individual councils donated $3.7 million to the Special Olympics in 2013.<ref name=Annual2013/> The Order's support for the Special Olympics goes back to the very first games in 1968.<ref name=Annual2013/>

In 2012, more than 5,000 wheelchairs were distributed in 10 countries in a partnership with the Global Wheelchair Mission.<ref name=Annual2013/>

===Disaster relief===
Aside from their other charitable activities, The Knights of Columbus gave significant charitable contributions to the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the [[2010 Haiti earthquake|devastating earthquake]] in January 2010. The Order also donated 1,000 wheelchairs to the people of Haiti in partnership with the Global Wheelchair Mission.<ref name="haiti"/> Recognizing that the need was still great in Haiti some seven months after the disaster, the Knights of Columbus partnered with Project Medishare in August 2010 for an initiative entitled, "Healing Haiti's Children". The initiative, backed by a more than $2.5 million commitment from the Knights of Columbus provides free prosthetic limbs and a minimum of two years of rehab to every child who suffered an amputation from injuries sustained during the earthquake.<ref name=Annual2013/><ref name="medishare"/> {{As of|2013}}, more than 800 children had already been aided by the program.<ref name=Annual2013/>

After the [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting]], a local council in Newtown, Connecticut, established a program asking people to pray a minimum of three [[Hail Mary]]s for the victims and their families. Over 100,000 people pledged to say 3.25 million prayers.<ref name=Annual2013/>

More than $500,000 was donated to [[Hurricane Sandy]] relief efforts, and $202,000 to victims of the [[April 13–16, 2012 tornado outbreak|April 2012 tornadoes]] in Oklahoma.<ref name=Annual2013/> After [[West Fertilizer Company explosion]] in Texas, nearly a quarter of a million dollars were raised.<ref name=Annual2013/> In total, more than $3.3 million were donated by individual councils for disaster relief in 2012.<ref name=Annual2013/>

==Insurance program==
{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-left:1em"
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| '''Year'''
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| '''Insurance in <br>force (billions)'''<ref name=Annual2013/>
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| '''Assets <br>(billions)'''<ref name=Annual2013/>
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 2012
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| $88.4
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| $19.4
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 2011
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| $83.5
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| $18.0
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 2010
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| $79.0
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| $16.9
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 2009
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| $74.3
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| $15.5
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 2008
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| $70.1
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| $14.1
|}

The Order offers a modern, professional insurance operation with more than $90 billion of life insurance policies in force and $19.8 billion in assets {{as of|2013|June|lc=y}},<ref name="kamal"/> a figure more than double the 2000 levels.<ref name="kamal"/><ref name=Annual2013/> Nearly 80,000 life certificates were issued in 2013, almost 30,000 more than the Order's closest competitor, to bring the total to 1.73 million.<ref name=Annual2013/> The program has a $1.8 billion surplus.<ref name=Annual2013/>

Over $286 million in death benefits were paid in 2012 and $1.7 billion were paid between 2000 and 2010.<ref name=Annual2013/> This is large enough to rank 49th on the A. M. Best list of all life insurance companies in North America.<ref name="fortune"/> Since the founding of the Order, $3.5 billion in death benefits have been paid.<ref name=2012SC/> Premiums in 2012 were nearly $1.2 billion, and dividends paid out totaled more than $274 million.<ref name=Annual2013/> Over the same time period, annuity deposits rose 4.2%, compared to an 8% loss for the industry as a whole.<ref name=Annual2013/>

Every day in 2012 more than $10 million was invested, for a total of $2.7 billion on the year, and an annual income of $905 billion.<ref name=Annual2013/> The Order maintains a two prong investment strategy. A company must first be a sound investment before stock in it is purchased, and secondly the company's activities must not conflict with [[Catholic social teaching]].<ref name=Annual2013/> The Order also provides mortgages to churches and Catholic schools at "very competitive rates" through its ChurchLoan program.<ref name=Annual2013/>

Products include [[permanent life insurance|permanent]] and [[term life insurance]], as well as [[Annuity (US financial products)|annuities]], [[long term care insurance]], and [[disability insurance]].<ref name="kamal"/> The insurance program is not a separate business offered by the Order to others but is exclusively for the benefit of members and their families.<ref name="describe"/> According to the [[Fortune 1000]] list, the Knights of Columbus ranked 900 in total revenue in 2011<ref name="29 spots"/> and, with 1,504 agents, was 909th in size in 2013.<ref name=Annual2013/> All agents are members of the Order.{{fact|date=December 2014}}

The Order's insurance program is the most highly rated program in North America.<ref name=Annual2013/> For 38 consecutive years, the Order has received [[A. M. Best]]'s highest rating, A++.<ref name=Annual2013/><ref name="38 years"/> Only two other insurers in North America have received the highest ratings from both A. M. Best and [[Standard & Poor's]]. Additionally, the Order is certified by the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association for ethical sales practices.<ref name=Annual2006/> Standard & Poor's downgraded the insurance program's financial strength/credit rating from AAA to AA+ in August 2011 not due to the Order's financial strength, but due to its lowering of the long-term sovereign credit rating of the United States to AA+.<ref name="Moody"/><ref name="snpdown"/><ref>n.b. Other US insurance groups also downgraded by S&P from AAA to AA+ were [[New York Life Insurance Company|New York Life]], [[Northwestern Mutual]], [[TIAA-CREF|TIAA]], and [[USAA]] as, like the Knights of Columbus, their assets are highly concentrated in the U.S. and they have significant holdings in U.S. Treasury and agency securities.</ref> Additionally, the insurance program has a low 3.5% lapse rate of the 1.7 million members and their families who are insured.<ref name="kamal"/><ref name=Annual2013/>

==Organization==
{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-left:1em"
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| '''Year'''
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| '''Membership'''<ref name=Annual2013/>
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| '''Councils'''<ref name=Annual2013/>
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 2013
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 1,843,587
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 14,606
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 2012
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 1,830,000
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 14,400
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 2011
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 1,820,000
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 14,200
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 2010
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 1,810,000
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 14,000
|-
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 2009
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 1,790,000
|style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| 13,700
|-
|}

{{As of|2013}} there were 1,843,587 knights, and membership has grown each year for 41 consecutive years. Each member belongs to one of 14,606 councils around the world. In the 2012 fraternal year, 229 new councils were established, including two in the Ukraine, eight in Mexico, 10 in Poland, 13 in Canada, 80 in the Philippines, and 117 in the United States. In addition, there is a "round table"<ref>The Round Table Program was designed to help every parish to have a Knights of Columbus presence in parishes that are not able to support a full council.</ref> presence in Lithuania.<ref name=Annual2013/>

Knights of Columbus ''councils'', Fourth Degree ''assemblies'', and Columbian Squire ''circles'' have similar officers. In the councils, officer titles are prefixed with "Worthy", while in assemblies officer titles are prefixed with "Faithful". In addition to the Columbian Squires' officers listed below, there is an adult position of "Chief Counselor" that helps oversee the circle.<ref name="circleguide"/>

{| class="wikitable" style="float:left"
!style="background:#efefef|Council
!style="background:#efefef| Assembly
!style="background:#efefef|Circle
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Grand Knight
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Navigator
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Chief Squire
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Chaplain*
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Friar*
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Father Prior
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Deputy Grand Knight
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Captain
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Deputy Chief Squire
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Chancellor
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Admiral
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Marshal Squire
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Recorder
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Scribe
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Notary Squire
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Financial Secretary**
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Comptroller
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Bursar Squire
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Treasurer
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Purser
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Bursar Squire
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Lecturer*
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| ''nonexistent''
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| ''nonexistent''
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Advocate
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| ''nonexistent''
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| ''nonexistent''
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Warden
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Pilot
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Marshal Squire
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Inside Guard
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Inner Sentinel
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Sentry
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Outside Guard
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Outer Sentinel
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Sentry
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Trustee (3 Year)
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Trustee (3 Year)
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| ''nonexistent''
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Trustee (2 Year)
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Trustee (2 Year)
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| ''nonexistent''
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Trustee (1 Year)
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Trustee (1 Year)
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| ''nonexistent''
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| ''nonexistent''
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| Color Corp Commander
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller"| ''nonexistent''
|}
{{-}}

(*Appointed annually by each council's Grand Knight or assembly's Navigator)

(**Appointed for a 3-year term by the Supreme Knight)

===Supreme Council===
{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-left:1em"
|-x
!style="background:#efefef" width=100px| Supreme Knight
!style="background:#efefef" width=100px| Supreme Chaplain
|-
!style="background:#efefef" width=100px| [[Carl A. Anderson]]
!style="background:#efefef" width=100px| [[William E. Lori|Bishop William E. Lori]]
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Deputy Supreme Knight
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Logan Ludwig
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Supreme Secretary
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Charles E. Maurer Jr.
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Supreme Treasurer
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Michael O'Connor
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Supreme Advocate
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| John Marrella
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Supreme <br>Warden
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| George Hanna
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Supreme <br>Master
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Dennis Stoddard
|}

The Supreme Council is the governing body of the Order and is composed of elected representatives from each jurisdiction. In a manner similar to [[shareholder]]s at an annual meeting, the Supreme Council elects seven members each year to the Supreme [[Board of Directors]] for three-year terms. The twenty-one member board then chooses from its own membership the senior operating officials of the Order, including the [[Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus|Supreme Knight]].{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|pp=375–376}}

===Assemblies===
Fourth degree members belong to one of 3,109 assemblies, including 75 created in 2012.<ref name=Annual2013/> The first assembly in Europe was established in 2012,<ref name=Annual2013/> and in 2013 a new assembly for Boston-area college councils was created at Harvard University.<ref name=harvard/> {{As of|2013}} there were 335,132 Fourth Degree members, including 15,709 who joined the ranks of the Patriotic Degree the year before.<ref name=Annual2013/>

===College councils===
In 1898, Keane Council 353 was established at [[The Catholic University of America]], though in later years it moved off campus.<ref name="Pike"/><ref name="keane"/> The [[University of Notre Dame]] Council 1477 was founded in 1910,<ref name="nd"/> and was followed by the councils at [[Saint Louis University]] and [[Benedictine College]].<ref name="ndsmco"/> In 1919, Mount St. Mary's College and Seminary Council 1965 became the first council attached to a college and seminary, at what is now [[Mount St. Mary's University]].{{sfn|Bauernschub|1949|p=217}}{{sfn|Bauernschub|1965}}

In each autumn since 1966, the Supreme Council has hosted a College Council Conference at [[Knights of Columbus Building (New Haven, Connecticut)|their headquarters]] in New Haven, Connecticut.<ref name="college"/> Awards are given for the greatest increases in membership, the best Youth, Community, Council, Family, and Church activities, and the overall Outstanding College Council of the year. The most recent winner of the Outstanding College Council Award was The Catholic University of America Council.<ref name=outstanding2014/>

==Evangelization==
Since its founding, the Knights of Columbus has been involved in [[evangelization]]. In 1948, the Knights started the Catholic Information Service (CIS) to provide low-cost Catholic publications for the general public as well as for parishes, schools, retreat houses, military installations, correctional facilities, legislatures, the medical community, and for individuals who request them. Since then, CIS has printed millions of booklets, and thousands of people have enrolled in CIS correspondence and on-line courses.<ref name="cis"/>

==Awards==
The Order sponsors a number of international awards. The first, the ''Gaudium et Spes Award'', is named after the [[Gaudium et Spes|document from the Second Vatican Council]], and is the highest honor bestowed by the Order. It "is awarded only in special circumstances and only to individuals of exceptional merit" and comes an [[honorarium]] of $100,000.<ref name=Gaudium/> Since its institution in 1992, it has only been awarded five times. The award "recognizes individuals for their exemplary contributions to the realization of the message of faith and service in the spirit of Christ as articulated in the document for which it is named".<ref name=Gaudium/>

The second international award, also only given "when merited", is the ''Caritas Award''. Named for the [[Charity (virtue)|theological virtue]] alternatively translated as either charity or love, it recognizes "extraordinary works of charity and service". It has been awarded once since its establishment in 2013.<ref name=highlights/> The ''Saint Michael Award'' was established in conjunction with the Caritas Award to recognize members of the Order who have exemplified a lifetime of service on behalf of the Knights of Columbus.<ref name=highlights/>

Additionally, at its annual convention each year, the Order recognizes other individuals and councils with awards. These include the Family of the Year award, and prizes for the best activities in the categories of church, community, council, [[culture of life]], family, and youth. Additionally, top selling general and field insurance agents are recognized, as are top recruiting individuals and councils.<ref name=highlights/>

==Political activities==
While the Knights of Columbus support political awareness and activity, United States councils are prohibited by tax laws from engaging in candidate endorsement and partisan political activity due to their non-profit status.<ref name="Grantsmanship"/> Public policy activity is limited to issue-specific campaigns, typically dealing with Catholic family and [[Culture of life|life]] issues. The Order has adopted resolutions advocating a [[Culture of Life]],<ref name="life"/> defining [[marriage]] as the union of one man and one woman,<ref name="marriage"/> in defense of religious liberty,<ref name="liberty"/> and promoting faithful citizenship.<ref name="citizenship"/>

===United States===
[[File:March sign.jpg|thumb|alt=A photograph of a placard at the March of Life that reads defend life on the bottom with the emblem of the Order in a blue band on top.|Tens of thousands of Knights of Columbus placards are handed out at the [[March for Life (Washington, D.C.)|March For Life]].]]
In 1926, a delegation of Supreme Council officers met with President [[Calvin Coolidge]] to share with him their concerns about the persecution of Catholics in Mexico. The Order subsequently launched a $1 million campaign to educate Americans about the attacks on Catholics and the Church in the [[Cristero War]].<ref name="legacy"/> Twenty-five [[Saints of the Cristero War|martyrs from the conflict]] would eventually be canonized, including six knights.<ref name="martyr"/>

Several decades later, in 1954, [[lobbying]] by the Order helped convince the [[United States Congress|U.S. Congress]] to add the phrase "under God" to the [[Pledge of Allegiance]]. President [[Dwight Eisenhower]] wrote to Supreme Knight [[Luke E. Hart]] thanking the Knights for their "part in the movement to have the words 'under God' added to our Pledge of Allegiance".{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=385}} Similar lobbying convinced many [[State legislature (United States)|state legislatures]] to adopt October 12 as [[Columbus Day]] and led to President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|Franklin Delano Roosevelt's]] confirmation of Columbus Day as a federal holiday in 1937.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=164}}

On April 9, 2006, the Board of Directors commented on the "[[United States immigration debate|U.S. immigration policy]] [which] has become an intensely debated and divisive issue on both sides of the border between the U.S. and Mexico". They called "upon the President and the U.S. Congress to agree upon immigration legislation that not only gains control over the process of immigration, but also rejects any effort to criminalize those who provide [[humanitarian]] assistance to illegal immigrants, and provides these immigrants an avenue by which they can emerge from the shadows of society and seek legal [[Permanent residency|residency]] and citizenship in the U.S.".<ref name="immigration"/>

The Knights have also been active in political campaigns across the United States in the area of [[gay rights]], contributing over $14 million to help groups limit the legal recognition of same-sex relationships and other civil rights for gay men and lesbian women. In 2008, they were the largest single donor in support of [[California Proposition 8 (2008)|Proposition 8]]. A financial contribution of £1.4 million was made to support the successful initiative to define marriage within the California State Constitution as a union solely between a man and a woman.<ref name="scpr"/><ref name=prop8/> The Knights have also made financial contributions of $1 million to support similar "ballot" campaigns in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington.

===Canada===
{{see also |Smith and Chymyshyn v. Knights of Columbus and Hauser and Lazar}}
In a 2005 attempt to stop the [[Parliament of Canada|Canadian parliament]] from legalizing gay marriage, the Order funded a campaign that included 800,000 postcards encouraging members of parliament to reject the measure.<ref name="postcard"/> As it was in the United States, this effort was criticized by some gay marriage supporters.

Also in 2005, a local Knights of Columbus council in Canada was fined $2,000 by the [[British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal]].<ref name=SmithvsKnights/> The council's Hall Manager signed a contract for the use of their facilities with [[Smith and Chymyshyn v. Knights of Columbus and Hauser and Lazar|Tracey Smith and Deborah Chymyshyn]], but canceled it and returned their money after they became aware that it was for a lesbian wedding reception.<ref name=SmithvsKnights/> The tribunal found that the local council did not have to rent the hall if in so doing they would violate their religious beliefs, but "could have taken additional steps that would have recognized the inherent dignity of the complainants and their right to be free from discrimination". Instead of simply canceling the appointment, the court said, the council could have directed the complainants to other halls and assisted them in finding another place to hold their event.<ref name=SmithvsKnights/>

===Mexico===
{{main|Cristero War}}
Following the [[Mexican Revolution]], the new government began persecuting the Church. To destroy the Church's influence over the Mexican people, anti-clerical statutes were inserted into the Constitution, beginning a 10-year persecution of Catholics which resulted in the death of thousands, including [[List of Knights of Columbus#Saints|several knights who were later canonized]].<ref>[[Jean Meyer|Meyer, Jean]]. ''The Cristero Rebellion: The Mexican People between Church and State, 1926–1929''. Cambridge, 1976.</ref>

Leaders of the Order began speaking out against the Mexican government, and Columbia, the official magazine of the Knights, also ran articles critical of the regime. The November 1926 cover of Columbia portrayed Knghts carrying a banner of liberty and warning of "The Red Peril of Mexico", the Mexican legislature banned both the Order and the magazine throughout the country.<ref name=Pelowski/>

===Heads of state===
[[File:George W. Bush meeting Knights of Columbus in Dallas, Texas.jpg|thumb|alt=A photograph of President George Bush shaking hands with fourth degree knights.|[[George W. Bush]] greets Fourth Degree Knights at the 122nd Annual Convention.]]
The Knights of Columbus invites the [[head of state]] of every country they operate in to the Supreme Convention each year.<ref name="CNS"/> In 1971, U.S. President [[Richard Nixon]] gave the keynote address at the States Dinner; Secretary of Transportation and Knight [[John Volpe]] was responsible for this first appearance of a U.S. President at a Supreme Council gathering.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=411}} President [[Ronald Reagan]] spoke at the Centennial Convention in 1982.<ref name="legacy"/> President [[George H.W. Bush]] appeared in 1992. President [[Bill Clinton]] sent a written message while he was in office, and President [[George W. Bush]] sent videotaped messages before he attended in person at the 2004 convention.<ref name="Cooperman"/> President [[Barack Obama]] has also sent written messages during his term in office.<ref name=obama/>

[[John F. Kennedy]], the only Catholic to be elected [[President of the United States]], was a Fourth Degree member of Bunker Hill Council No. 62 and Bishop Cheverus General Assembly. Supreme Knight Luke E. Hart visited Kennedy at the [[White House]] on Columbus Day, 1961. The president told Hart that his younger brother, [[Ted Kennedy]], had received "his Third Degree in our Order three weeks before". Hart presented Kennedy with a poster of the American Flag with the story of how the Order got the words "under God" inserted in the Pledge of Allegiance.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|pp=393–394}}

In 1959, [[Fidel Castro]] sent an aide to represent him at a Fourth Degree banquet in honor of the [[Golden Jubilee]] of the Order's entry into Cuba. Supreme Knight Hart attended a banquet in the Cuban Prime Minister's honor in April of that year sponsored by the [[Overseas Press Club]] and later sent him a letter expressing regret that they were not able to meet in person.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=391}} Reagan also presented the Order with a [[President's Volunteer Service Award|President's Volunteer Action Award]] at the White House in 1984.<ref name="legacy"/>

The Knights of Columbus were among the groups that welcomed Pope [[Benedict XVI]] on the South Lawn of the White House on April 16, 2008, the pontiff's 81st birthday, during [[Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States|his visit to the U.S.]]<ref name="pope visit"/>

==Famous Knights==
[[File:John F. Kennedy - NARA - 518134.jpg|thumb|alt=A photograph of President John F. Kennedy|President John F. Kennedy was a Fourth Degree member of Bunker Hill Council No. 62.{{sfn|Singular|2005|p=60}}]]
{{See also|List of Knights of Columbus}}
Many famous Catholic men from all over the world have been Knights of Columbus. In the United States, some of the most notable include [[John F. Kennedy]]; [[Ted Kennedy]];{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|pp=393–394}} [[Al Smith]];{{sfn|Singular|2005|p=38}} [[Sargent Shriver]];{{sfn|Singular|2005|p=94}} [[Samuel Alito]]; [[John Boehner]];<ref name="Boehner"/> [[Ray Flynn]];{{sfn|Singular|2005|p=114}} [[Jeb Bush]]; and Sergeant Major [[Daniel Daly]],<ref name="famous"/> a two-time [[Medal of Honor]] recipient, once described by the commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps as "the most outstanding Marine of all time".<ref name="iconic"/>

Many notable clerics are also Knights, including Cardinal [[William Joseph Levada]], prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; Cardinal [[Sean O'Malley]], archbishop of Boston; and Cardinal [[Jaime Sin]], former archbishop of Manila. In the world of sports, [[Vince Lombardi]], the famed former coach of the Green Bay Packers;{{sfn|Singular|2005|p=64}} wrestler [[Lou Albano]];<ref name="Albano"/> [[James Connolly (athlete born 1868)|James Connolly]], the first Olympic gold-medal champion in modern times;{{sfn|Singular|2005|p=4}} [[Floyd Patterson]], former heavyweight boxing champion;<ref name="Patterson"/> and baseball legend [[Babe Ruth]]{{sfn|Singular|2005|p=30}} were all knights.

On October 15, 2006, Bishop [[Rafael Guizar Valencia]] (1878–1938) was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome. In 2000, six other Knights were declared saints by Pope John Paul II.<ref name="cannonized"/>

==Emblems of the Order==

===Emblem of the Order===
The emblem of the Order was designed by Past Supreme Knight James T. Mullen and adopted at the second Supreme Council meeting on May 12, 1883. Shields used by medieval knights served as the inspiration, and the emblem consists of a shield mounted on a [[Cross pattée|Formée cross]], which is an artistic representation of the cross of Christ. This represents the Catholic identity of the Order.<ref name="emblem"/>

Mounted on the shield are three objects: a [[fasces]]; an anchor; and a dagger. In [[ancient Rome]], the fasces was carried before magistrates as an emblem of authority. The Order uses it as "symbolic of authority which must exist in any tightly-bonded and efficiently operating organization".<ref name="emblem"/> The anchor represents Christopher Columbus, patron of the Order. The short sword, or dagger, was a weapon used by medieval knights. The shield as a whole, with the letters "K of C", represents "Catholic Knighthood in organized merciful action".<ref name="emblem"/>

===Fourth Degree emblem===
[[File:Kofc emblem fourth.JPG|thumb|alt=The Fourth degree emblem consists of an Isabella cross with a dove flying downward towards a globe.|Fourth Degree emblem.]]
The Fourth Degree emblem features a dove, a cross, and a globe. In the tradition of the Knights these symbols "typify the union of the three Divine Persons in one Godhead, referred to as the most Blessed [[Trinity]]".<ref name="emblem"/> The red, white, and blue are taken from the American flag and represent patriotism, the basic principle of the Fourth Degree. Styled with the continents of the western hemisphere in white, the blue globe represents God the Father. A red [[Isabella I of Castile|Isabella]] cross, for the queen who sponsored Columbus, serves as a symbol of God the Son. The white dove is a symbol of peace and God the Holy Spirit. Columbus' name in Italian (''Colombo'') also means "dove".<ref name="emblem"/>

===Colombian Squires emblem===
The emblem of the Squires symbolizes the ideals which identify a squire. On the arms of a [[Maltese cross]] are the letters "P", which represents the physical development necessary to make the body as strong as the spirit; "I", which stands for the intellectual development needed for cultural and mental maturity; "S", which represents the spiritual growth and practice of our faith; and "C", which stands for the development of citizenship and civic life. The larger letters: "C", representing [[Christ]] and also Christopher Columbus; "S", the Squires; and "K", the Knights of Columbus, by whom the Squires program is sponsored, are intertwined in the center of the cross. They are the three foundations of the program.{{fact|date=December 2014}}

The Latin motto, "Esto Dignus", encircles the emblem. Translated into English, it means "Be Worthy".

==Auxiliary groups==

===Women's auxiliaries===
Many councils also have women's auxiliaries.<ref name="review"/> At the turn of the 20th century two were formed by local councils and each took the name the [[Daughters of Isabella]].<ref name="isabella"/> Using the same name, both groups expanded and issued charters to other circles but never merged. The newer organization renamed itself the [[Catholic Daughters of the Americas]] in 1921 and both have structures independent of the Knights of Columbus.<ref name="cda"/> Other groups are known as the [[Columbiettes]]. In the Philippines, the ladies' auxiliary is known as the Daughters of Mary Immaculate.<ref name="dmi"/>

===Columbian Squires===
{{Main|Columbian Squires}}
{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-left:1em"
!style="background:#efefef; width=100px|Squire Advancement Program
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Level 1: Page
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Level 2: Shield Bearer
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Level 3: Swordsman
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Level 4: Lancer
|-
!style="background:#efefef; font-size:smaller" width=100px| Level 5: Squire of the Body of Christ
|-
|}

The Knights' official junior organization is the Columbian Squires. Founded in 1925 in Duluth, Minnesota, this international fraternity for boys 10–18 has grown to over 5,000 circles.<ref name="squires"/> According to Brother [[Barnabas McDonald]], F.S.C., the Squires' founder: "The supreme purpose of the Columbian Squires is character building."<ref name="circleguide"/>

Squires have fun and share their Catholic faith, help people in need, and enjoy the company of friends in social, family, athletic, cultural, civic and spiritual activities. Through their local circle, Squires work and socialize as a group of friends, elect their own officers, and develop into Catholic leaders.<ref name="sm"/> When Squires process in a color guard, they wear blue cape, similar to those worn by members of the Fourth Degree, and black berets.<ref name=minn/>

Each circle is supervised by a Knights of Columbus council or assembly, and has an advisory board made up of either the Grand Knight, the Deputy Grand Knight and Chaplain, or the Faithful Navigator, the Faithful Captain, and Faithful Friar.<ref name="circleguide"/> Circles are either council based, parish based, or school based, depending on the location of the circle and the Knight counselors.<ref name="circleguide"/>

===Squire Roses===
{{Main|Squire Roses}}
The [[Squire Roses]] are a youth sorority run by individual state councils for Catholic girls between the ages of 10 and 19. Founded by Russell DeRose and the Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus in 1996, the Roses are a sister organization to the Squires.<ref name="warrenton"/>

==Similar organizations==
The Knights of Columbus is a member of the [[International Alliance of Catholic Knights]], which includes fifteen fraternal orders such as the [[Knights of Saint Columbanus]] in Ireland, the [[Knights of Saint Columba]] in the United Kingdom, the [[Knights of Peter Claver]] in the United States, the [[Knights of the Southern Cross]] in Australia and New Zealand, the [[Knights of Da Gama]] in South Africa, and the [[Knights of Saint Mulumba]] in Nigeria.<ref name="iack"/>

==See also==
*[[History of the Knights of Columbus and The Catholic University of America]]
*[[Columbus Fountain]]
*[[Columbus School of Law]]
*[[Father Millet Cross]]
*[[James Cardinal Gibbons Memorial Statue]]
*[[The Knight on the Grid]]
*[[Knights of Columbus Hostel fire]]
*[[List of Knights of Columbus buildings]]
*[[Manuscripta]]
*[[Parish Priest (book)]]
*[[Pope John Paul II Cultural Center]]
*[[St. Mary's Church (New Haven, Connecticut)]]
*[[Vatican Film Library]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=
{{reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=


<ref name="38 years">{{cite web
<ref name=young>{{cite news
|url=http://www.sys-con.com/node/2733428
| url = http://www.cruxnow.com/faith/2014/12/24/young-catholics-evangelize-one-candle-at-a-time/
| title = Young Catholics evangelize, one candle at a time
|title=For 38th consecutive year, A.M. Best reaffirms top A++ rating for Knights of Columbus
|date=July 11, 2013
| date = December 24, 2014
|accessdate=2013-07-16
}}</ref>

<ref name="2009 charity">{{cite journal
| title=Keeping Father McGivney's Promise
| journal=Knightline
| date=July 2010
| volume=27
| issue=7
| page=1}}</ref>

<!---
<ref name="2011occ">{{Cite document
| title = 2010–11 Outstanding College Council Award
| url = http://www.kofc.org/un/en/college/2011/top.html
| year = 2011
| publisher=Knights of Columbus
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>
--->

<!--ref name="2012 charity">{{cite web
|url=http://www.times-herald.com/religion/581154-20130706knights-of-columbus-SQ
|title=Knights of Columbus sets new record
|date=July 13, 2013
|work=Newman Times Herald
|accessdate=2013-07-16
}}</ref-->

<ref name=2012SC>{{cite book
| work = Supreme Council Proceedings One Hundred-Thirtieth Annual Meeting
| section = Report of the Supreme Secretary
| page = 53
| author = Charles E. Maurer, Jr.
}}</ref>

<ref name="29 spots">{{Cite journal
| title = Knights of Columbus Climbs 29 Spots on Fortune's List of Top Companies
| url = http://www.kofc.org/un/en/news/releases/detail/fortune1000_5232011.html
| date = May 23, 2011
| publisher=Knights of Columbus
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="500 years">
{{cite web
|accessdate= 2012-07-11
|title= Christopher Columbus – 500 Years Later
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
|quote= By taking the name of Columbus, the Knights were able to remind the entire country of the Catholic roots of the New World, and to highlight the fact that faithful Catholics could also be good citizens&nbsp;...
|year= 1947
|url= http://www.kofc.org/un/en/news/releases/detail/71947.html
}}</ref>

<ref name="Albano">
{{cite web
| url = http://carmelknights.org/Lake_Current_Archive/2008/MAR_2008.pdf
| journal = The Lake Current
| title = Your Council Officers
| page = 4
| date = March 2008
| format = PDF
| publisher = Carmel Council No. 6318
| accessdate = 2013-07-22
}}</ref>

<ref name="Annual2006">
{{cite web
|url= http://web.archive.org/web/20060806035842/http://www.kofc.org/news/releases/detail.cfm?id=19846
|title= Supreme Knight's Annual Report
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name=Annual2013>{{cite web
| title = Annual Report of the Supreme Knight
| url = http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/communications/sk_report_2013.pdf
| publisher = Knights of Columbus
| date = August 6, 2013
| accessdate = 2013-10-16
| format = pdf
}}</ref>

<ref name="Boehner">
{{cite web
| url = http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/27015/john-boehner#.Ue2J3dK1HxA
| title = Representative John Boehner's Biography
| publisher = Project Vote Smart
| accessdate = July 22, 2013
}}</ref>

<!--- linkrot
<ref name="bush">
{{cite news
|url= http://www.kofc.org/un/news/releases/detail.cfm?id=3923
|title= Why was President Bush invited to this year's Supreme Convention?
|accessdate = 2013-06-28
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
}}</ref>
--->

<ref name="cannonized">
{{cite news
|publisher= EWTN News
|url=http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=72165
|title= 1st Knight-of-Columbus-Bishop to Be Canonized
|date= October 10, 2006
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="CathEncy">
{{CathEncy|wstitle=Knights of Columbus}}
</ref>

<ref name="cda">
{{cite web
|publisher= Catholic Daughters of America
|url= http://www.catholicdaughters.org/history.shtml
|title= The History of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="circleguide">
{{cite web
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
|title=Columbian Squires Circle Guide
|url=http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/squires/circleguide.pdf
|format = PDF
|accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="cis">
{{cite web
|url= http://www.kofc.org/un/en/cis/about.html
|title= About Catholic Information Service
|accessdate = 2013-06-28
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
}}</ref>

<ref name="college">{{cite web
| url = http://www.kofc.org/un/en/college/2012/ann_coll_conf.html
| title = Annual College Conference
| publisher = Knights of Columbus
| accessdate = 2013-06-30
}}
</ref>

<ref name="CNS">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0404254.htm
|title=Bush lauds Knights' pro-life efforts, pushes faith-based programs
|publisher=Catholic News Service
|accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="citizenship">
{{cite web
| url = http://www.kofc.org/un/en/conv/2012/resolutions/citizenship.html
| title = Resolution on Faithful Citizenship
| accessdate = 2013-06-30
| publisher=Knights of Columbus
}}</ref>

<ref name="Cooperman">
{{cite news
| last = Cooperman
| first = Alan
| title = Bush Tells Catholic Group He Will Tackle Its Issues
| publisher = ''The Washington Post''
| date = August 4, 2004
| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37805-2004Aug3.html
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="corps">
{{cite web
|url= http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/fourth/general.pdf
|title= Color Corps Drill Manual General Information
|format = PDF
|accessdate= 2012-07-30
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
}}</ref>

<ref name="currency">
{{cite web
|url=http://futureboy.homeip.net/fsp/dollar.fsp?quantity=5&currency=dollars&fromYear=1899+
|title=Historical Currency Conversions
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="describe">
{{cite web
|title=How to Describe the Benefits of Membership
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
|url=http://www.kofc.org/un/en/membership/strategies/membership_benefits.html
|accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="Diverse">{{cite web
| url = http://archives.lib.cua.edu/res/docs/NewCent/knights.htm
| title = A Diverse Church
| publisher = The Catholic University of America Archives
| accessdate = 2013-08-09
}}</ref>

<ref name="dmi">
{{cite web
|publisher= Daughters of Mary Immaculate International
|url= http://dmiinternational.org/about/
|title= Brief History, Daughters of Mary Immaculate International
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="emblem">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/service/council/emblems.pdf
|title=Official Knights of Columbus Emblems and Council Jewels
|format = PDF
|publisher= Knights of Columbus
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="fac">
{{cite web
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
|title=Find A Council
|url=http://www.kofc.org/un/en/officers/fac.html
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="fortune">
{{cite news
|title=Fortune 500 - Knights of Columbus
|publisher=''CNN Money''
|url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2008/snapshots/10207.html
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name=Gaudium>{{cite web
| title = The Knights of Columbus Gaudium et Spes Award
| url = http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/communications/Press_AboutGaudiumAward.pdf
| format = pdf
| accessdate = 2014-08-06
| publisher = Knights of Columbus
}}</ref>

<ref name="haiti">
{{cite news
|url= http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/knights_of_columbus_wheelchair_program_to_help_haitian_quake_victims/
|title= Knights of Columbus wheelchair program to help Haitian quake victims
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name=harvard>{{cite web
| url = http://harvardknights.blogspot.com/2013/11/congratulations-to-our-newest-sir.html
| title = Congratulations to Our Newest Sir Knights!
| accessdate = 2013-11-13
| publisher = Harvard Council No. 14188
}}</ref>

<ref name = highlights>{{cite web
| title = News and Highlights from the Convention
| date = October 1, 2013
| url = http://www.kofc.org/en/columbia/detail/news-hightlights-convention.html
| format = html
| accessdate = 2014-08-06
| publisher = Knights of Columbus
}}</ref>

<!---ref name=Hurwitz>{{cite news
| author = Darren Hurwitz
| title = Knights of Columbus: Standing on the Wrong Side of History, for a Change
| publisher = Huffington Post
| date = 12 March 2013
| url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/darrin-hurwitz/knights-of-columbus-stand_b_2854800.html
}}</ref-->


<ref name="iack">
{{cite web
|publisher= International Alliance of Catholic Knights
|url= http://www.iack.org/members.htm
|title= Member Orders
|accessdate= 2006-05-30
}}</ref>

<ref name="iconic">
{{cite web
|url= http://www.usmcmuseum.org/Exhibits_IconicArtifacts.asp
|title= Iconic Artifacts
|publisher= The National Museum of the Marine Corps
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="imsa">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.kofc.org/un/en/insurance/news/detail/IMSA_20100604.html
|title=IMSA Renews Knights of Columbus Certification for High Ethical Standards
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
}}</ref>

<ref name="immigration">
{{cite web
|url= http://www.kofc.org/un/en/news/releases/detail/59087.html
|title= Resolution on U.S. Immigration Policy
|date= April 11, 2006
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<!---
<ref name="influential">
{{cite web
| url = http://v2catholic.china8.org/background/2012/06/2012-06-23carl-anderson.htm
| title = Meet one of the most influential Catholics in the world
| author = Robert Mickens
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>
--->

<ref name="isabella">
{{cite web
|publisher= Daughters of Isabella
|url= http://www.daughtersofisabella.org/aboutus.asp
|title= About Us, Daughters of Isabella
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<!---
<ref name="facade">
{{cite web
|url= http://saintpetersbasilica.org/Exterior/Facade/Facade.htm
|title= Facade of St. Peter's
|accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>
--->

<ref name="fake">
{{cite news
| url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,928041,00.html
| title = Religion: Great & Fake Oath
| publisher = ''TIME'' magazine
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
| date=1928-09-03
}}</ref>

<ref name="famous">
{{cite web
|url= http://famous101.com/famous-knights-of-columbus
|title= Famous Knights of Columbus
|publisher= Famous101
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<!---
<ref name="gk">
{{cite web
|title=Grand Knight's Handbook
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
|url=http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/officers/grandknight.pdf
|format = PDF
|accessdate=2012-07-27}}</ref>
--->

<ref name="Grantsmanship">
{{Cite journal
| last = Caplin
|author2=Drysdale
| title = Voter Education vs. Partisan Politicking: What a 501(c)(3) can and cannot do
| publisher = The Grantsmanship Center
| date = Winter 1999
}}</ref>

<ref name="guild">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.fathermcgivney.org/mcg/en/guild/index.html
|title=Venerable Michael McGivney
|publisher=Father McGivney Guild
|accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="JPII">
{{cite web
| url = http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/knights-of-columbus-leaders-praise-john-paul-iis-legacy-to-worlds-laity/
| title = Knights of Columbus leaders praise John Paul II's legacy to world's laity
| date = April 29, 2011
| publisher = Catholic News Agency
| accessdate = 2013-07-22
}}</ref>

<ref name="kamal">
{{cite web
| url = http://www.courant.com/business/connecticut-insurance/hc-knights-of-columbus-insurance-20130711,0,2661267.story
| title = Knights of Columbus Insurance Program Passes $90 Billion Mark - Courant.com
| author = Sameea Kamal
| date = July 11, 2013
| publisher = ''[[Hartford Courant]]''
| accessdate = 2013-07-14
}}</ref>

<ref name="keane">On June 5, 1898, Keane Council #353, was instituted with 66 charter members, and Lawrence O. Murray, [[Comptroller of the Currency]], as Grand Knight. It "formed its nucleus in the Catholic University", in the words of Philip Garrigan, one of Keane's founders and vice-rector of the University. It was named for Irish-born Bishop [[John J. Keane (bishop)|John J. Keane]], first rector of the University (1889–1896), and later Archbishop of Dubuque, Iowa. First meetings are in the Typographical Temple, then move to Grand Army Hall on October 12, 1898, then to the Maccabee Temple the following June.</ref>

<ref name=KofCHistory>
{{cite web
|title=History
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
|url=http://www.kofc.org/un/en/about/history/index.html
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<!--ref name="latimes">{{cite news
| url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2008/08/prop-8-post.html
| title = Knights of Columbus tip the balance with big anti-gay marriage donation
| date = August 20, 2008
| publisher = L.A. Times
| accessdate = 2013-08-15
}}</ref-->

<ref name="legacy">
{{cite web
| url = https://www.kofc.org/un/en/columbia/detail/2012_08_legacy.html
| title = A Growing Legacy
| publisher = Knights of Columbus
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<!--- linkrot
<ref name="lesbian">
{{cite news
|url= http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051129/tribunal_lesbiancouple_051129
|title= B.C. tribunal awards lesbian couple damages
|publisher= CTV.ca
|accessdate= 2012-07-27
}}</ref>
--->

<ref name="liberty">
{{cite web
| url = http://www.kofc.org/un/en/conv/2012/resolutions/liberty_defense.html
| title = Resolution in Defense of Religious Liberty
| publisher=Knights of Columbus
| accessdate = 2013-06-30
}}</ref>

<ref name="life">
{{cite web
|url= http://www.kofc.org/un/en/conv/2010/resolutions/life.html
|title= Resolution on Building a Culture of Life adopted by the 128th Supreme Convention on Aug. 5, 2010.
|date= August 5, 2010
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="love">
{{cite web
|url= http://www.zenit.org/article-29570?l=english
|title= Rome's Love For Her Knights
|publisher=Zenit
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="marriage">
{{cite web
|url= http://www.kofc.org/un/en/news/releases/detail/20363.html
|title= Resolution on Defense of Marriage
|date= August 4, 2005
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
|accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="martyr">
{{cite web
|title= History of the Knights of Columbus Priest Martyrs of Mexico
|publisher= Knights of Columbus
|url= http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/communications/martyrs_booklet.pdf
|format = PDF
|accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="medishare">
{{cite web
| url = http://www.projectmedishare.org/blog/2011/03/healing-haitis-children-program-sponsored-by-knights-of-columbus-gets-new-prosthetics-lab/
| title = 'Healing Haiti's Children' Program sponsored by Knights of Columbus gets new prosthetics lab
| year = 2011
| publisher = Project Medishare
| accessdate = 2013-07-14
}}</ref>

<ref name=minn>{{cite news
| url = http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/05/07/religion/photos-same-sex-marriage-amendment-rosary-walk
| title = Photos: Catholics march from Capitol to Cathedral in support of marriage amendment
| last = Kolyer
| first = Alex
| date = May 7, 2012
| accessdate = 2013-11-04
| publisher = [[Minnesotta Public Radio]]
}}</ref>

<ref name="Moody">
{{cite news
|publisher=CNBC
|title=Moody's Backs US's AAA Rating, S&P Cuts Fannie, Others
|url=http://www.cnbc.com/id/44058747
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="nd">
{{cite web
|title=Big Men on Campus
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
|url=http://www.kofc.org/un/en/columbia/detail/549413.html
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="ndsmco">
{{cite news
|author=Cheffers, Elizabeth
|url=http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/2.2754/knights-serve-the-community-1.271848#.Uc20wDtOSi4
|title=Knights serve the community
|newspaper=The Observer
|date=September 24, 2004
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<!--ref name="new record">
{{cite web
|url= http://www.kofc.org/un/en/news/releases/detail/stdep_chgiving.html
|title= Knights of Columbus Sets New Records for Charitable Giving
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref-->

<ref name=obama>{{cite news
| url = http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/benedict_xvi_obama_send_greetings_to_k_of_c/
| title = Benedict XVI, Obama send greetings to K of C
| publisher = Catholic News Agency
| date = August 4, 2009
| accessdate = 2014-12-26
| accessdate = 2014-12-26
| first = Michael
}}</ref>
| last = O'Loughlin

| publisher = Crux
<ref name=outstanding2014>{{cite news
| title = CUA Knights Honored at Retreat
| publisher = The Tower
| date = October 3, 2014
| accessdate = 2014-11-02
| url = http://cuatower.com/cua-knights-honored-retreat/
}}</ref>

<ref name="oregon">{{cite web
| url = http://www.oyez.org/cases/1901-1939/1924/1924_583
| title = Pierce v. Society of Sisters
| publisher = University of Chicago Kent School of Law
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="Patterson">
{{cite web
| url = http://www.hudsonrivervalley.org/library/pdfs/floydpatterson.pdf
| title = Floyd Patterson
| format = PDF
| publisher = Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist College
| accessdate = 2013-07-22
}}</ref>

<ref name=Pelowski>{{cite news
| title = Remembering Mr. Blue
| last = Pelowski
| first = Alton J.
| publisher = Columbia
| date = June 2014
}}</ref>

<ref name="Pike">{{Cite journal
| title = The Archives Recalls CUA's Relationship with the Knights of Columbus
| url = http://archives.lib.cua.edu/res/docs/newsletter0301.pdf
| year = Fall 2008
| author = Pike, Robin
| journal = ACUA Newsletter
| pages = 3
| format = PDF
| accessdate = 2013-07-19
}}</ref>

<ref name="pierce">{{ussc|268|510|1925}}</ref>

<ref name="pope visit">{{cite news
|url= http://www.usnews.com/news/national/articles/2008/04/16/bush-welcomes-pope-with-pomp-and-pageantry
|title= Bush Welcomes Pope With Pomp and Pageantry
|newspaper= U.S. News and World Report
|date= April 16, 2008
|accessdate= 2012-07-27
}}</ref>

<ref name="postcard">
{{cite news
|url= http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/31/international/americas/31canada.html
|title= Church Fights Gay Marriage Bill
|newspaper= The New York Times
|accessdate = 2013-06-28
|first=Clifford
|last=Krauss
|date=2005-01-31
}}</ref>

<!---
<ref name="promise">
{{cite web
|url= http://www.kofc.org/un/en/news/releases/detail/promise_kept.html
|title= A Promise Kept
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>
--->

<ref name="prop8">
{{cite web
|url=http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Campaign/Committees/Detail.aspx?id=1302592&view=late1
|title=California Secretary of State - CalAccess - Campaign Finance
|publisher=California Secretary of State
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<!---
<ref name="protocol">
{{cite web
|title=Protocol Handbook
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
|url=http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/service/council/protocol.pdf
|format = PDF
|accessdate=2012-07-27}}</ref>
--->

<ref name=Ramstein>{{cite news
| url = http://www.milarch.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=dwJXKgOUJiIaG&b=7656203&ct=12240657
| title = Knights of Columbus Expand Fourth Degree Membership Among Overseas Military with Induction in Europ
| publisher = [[Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA]]
| date = October 16, 2012
| accessdate = 2013-11-13
}}</ref>

<ref name="regalia">
{{cite web
|url= http://www.calvertprovince.org/base.cgim?template=regalia
|title= Laws and Rules of the Order Governing the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus
|publisher=Calvert Province
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="review">
{{cite web
|publisher= Knights of Columbus
|url=http://www.kofc.org/un/en/about/history/anniversary/historical/yearsinreview/1890.html
|title= 125 Years in Review&nbsp;– 1890s
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="Rome">{{cite web
| url = http://www.romereports.com/palio/the-knights-of-columbus-celebrate-90-years-in-rome-english-2314.html#.UgGkPpLCaSo
| title = The Knights of Columbus celebrate 90 years in Rome
| date = June 19, 2010
| publisher = Rome Reports
| quote = The exhibition also includes the organization's current projects in Rome: from the sporting fields for youth to repairs of the facade of St. Peter's Basilicia—the Knights of Columbus have provided nearly a century of achievements for the Catholic Church.
| accessdate = 2013-08-06
}}</ref>

<ref name="scpr">{{cite web
| url = http://www.scpr.org/news/2012/02/07/31169/la-catholics-react-prop-8-decision-many-catholics-/
| title = LA Catholics react to Prop 8 decision; many Catholics strongly supported the proposition
| author = Shereen Marisol Meraji
| date = February 7, 2012
| publisher = 89.3 KPCC
| accessdate = 2013-08-15
}}</ref>

<ref name="squires">
{{cite web
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
|title=Columbian Squires
|url=http://www.kofc.org/en/squires/index.html
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="sm">
{{cite web
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
|title=Squires Membership
|url=http://www.kofc.org/un/en/squires/membership.html
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name=SmithvsKnights>
{{cite web
|url= http://www.bchrt.bc.ca/decisions/2005/pdf/Smith_and_Chymyshyn_v_Knights_of_Columbus_and_others_2005_BCHRT_544.pdf
|title= Smith and Chymyshyn v. Knights of Columbus
|publisher= British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal
|format = PDF
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="snpdown">
{{cite web
| url = http://www.standardandpoors.com/ratings/articles/en/us/?assetID=1245316596970
| title = Rating Actions Taken On 10 U.S.-Based Insurance Groups Following Sovereign Downgrade
| date = 8 Aug 2011
| publisher = [[Standard & Poor's]]
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<!---
<ref name="sorrows">
{{cite web
|publisher=Knights of Columbus Council 8600
|title=The St. Mary of the Sorrows Squire Roses
|url=http://www.kofc8600.org/columbian_squire_roses.htm
|accessdate=2012-07-30
}}</ref>
--->

<!---
<ref name="texas">
{{cite web
| url = http://www.aggiecatholic.org/index.cfm?load=page&page=154
| title = Knights of Columbus Council #10624 :: St. Mary's Catholic Center (College Station, TX)
| date = October 1, 2012
| publisher = St. Mary's Catholic Center
| accessdate = 2013-07-14
}}</ref>
--->

<ref name="these men">
{{cite web
|url= http://www.kofc8600.org/These_Men_they_Call_Knights.pdf
|format = PDF
|title= These Men they Call Knights
|publisher= Knights of Columbus Supreme Council
|quote= A practical Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the Precepts of the Church.
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="united">
{{cite web
|url= http://www.kofc.org/un/en/charities/index.html
|title= United in Charity
|publisher=Knights of Columbus
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="venerable">
{{cite news
|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/03/16/idUS62169+16-Mar-2008+PRN20080316
|date=March 16, 2008
|title=Vatican Declares Knights of Columbus Founder 'Venerable'
|publisher= Reuters
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>

<ref name="vocations">
{{cite web
|url= http://www.kofc.org/about/activities/church/vocations/index.cfm
|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070207015709/http://www.kofc.org/about/activities/church/vocations/index.cfm
|title= Support of Vocations
|date= 2007-02-07
| archivedate = 2007-02-07
| accessdate = 2013-07-17
}}</ref>

<ref name="warrenton">
{{cite web
|publisher=Knights of Columbus Council 5561
|title=Squire Roses Circle
|url=http://kofcwarrenton.org/wordpress/?p=442
| accessdate = 2013-06-28
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


}}
}}


*http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/faith/article3971845.ece
==Works cited==
*http://www.scotscatholic.org/blog/2013/12/09/Nightfever-Glasgow-brings-hundreds-to-the-Catholic-Church.aspx
{{refbegin}}
*http://www.macsa.ca/events/nightfever

*http://www.muscc.org/nightfever.html
*{{cite book
*http://stpatricksoho.org/blog/2014/01/28/nightfever/
|first= John P.
*http://www.christiantoday.com/article/nightfever.catholic.mission.in.the.heart.of.soho/35194.htm
|last= Bauernschub
*http://www.irishcatholic.ie/article/nightfever-street-mission-spreading-nationwide
|title= Fifty Years of Columbianism in Maryland
*http://www.sconews.co.uk/youth/24235/nightfever-catches-on-in-scotland/
|publisher= Maryland State Council
*http://cny.org/stories/Nightfever,10763
|year= 1949
*http://www.catholicregister.org/ysn/ysn-news/item/13918-nightfever-comes-to-canada
|ref=harv}}
*http://www.saccatholic.com/event/1027

*http://stmariecathedral.org/news-and-events/nightfever/
*{{cite book
*http://catholicuvic.webs.com/nightfever
|first= John P.
*http://www.nightfevergosport.co.uk/9.html
|last= Bauernschub
|title=Columbianism in Maryland 1897–1965
|publisher= Maryland State Council
|year= 1965
|ref=harv}}

*{{Cite book
|last= Brinkley
|first= Douglas
|authorlink= Douglas Brinkley
|first2=Julie M.
|last2= Fenster
|authorlink2= Julie M. Fenster
|title= [[Parish Priest: Father Michael McGivney and American Catholicism]]
|publisher= William Morrow
|year= 2006
|isbn= 978-0-06-077684-8
|ref=harv}}

*{{Cite book
| title = The Knights of Columbus in Peace and War, Volume 1
| year = 1920
| isbn = 978-1-142-78398-3
| last1 = Egan
| first1 = Maurice Francis
| last2 = Kennedy
| first2 = John James Bright
| ref=harv}}

*{{Cite book
|first= Christopher J.
|last= Kauffman
|title= Faith and Fraternalism
|publisher= Harper and Row
|year= 1982
|isbn= 978-0-06-014940-6
|ref=harv}}

*{{Cite book
|first= Christopher J.
|last= Kauffman
|title= Patriotism and Fraternalism in the Knights of Columbus
|publisher= The Crossroad Publishing Company
|year= 2001
|isbn= 0-8245-1885-3
|ref=harv
}}

*{{Cite book
| title = By Their Works: Profiles of Men of Faith Who Made a Difference
| last = Singular
| first= Stephen
| publisher = HarperCollins
| isbn = 0-06-116145-4
|year= 2005
|ref=harv}}

{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{EB1922 Poster}}
{{1913CE|Knights of Columbus}}
* [http://www.kofc.org/un/en/cis/index.html Catholic Information Service]
* [http://www.fathermcgivney.org/ Father Michael J. McGivney Guild]
* [http://www.kofc.org Knights of Columbus]
* [http://www.kofc.org/en/about/history/anniversary/index.html Knights of Columbus 125th Anniversary]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08670c.htm New Advent Article]


{{International Alliance of Catholic Knights}}
{{Lay Cath Spirituality}}


[[Category:Eucharist]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Knights Of Columbus}}
[[Category:Eucharistic devotions]]
[[Category:Knights of Columbus people|Knights of Columbus people]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1882]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic missionary work]]
[[Category:International Alliance of Catholic Knights]]
[[Category:Knights of Columbus|*]]
[[Category:Catholic lay societies]]
[[Category:Fraternal service organizations]]
[[Category:Organizations based in New Haven, Connecticut]]

Revision as of 15:18, 27 December 2014

Nightfever is a Roman Catholic association that organizes prayer evenings in cities, with special aim to non-practizing passengers. Essential parts of the prayer evenings are Eucharistic adoration, prayers, Worship and praise music and Confession. It is primarily directed to young adults. Nightfever events take place in over 30 European and American cities, and is especially centered in Germany where it comes from.

History

Nightfever is an initiative which grew out of World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne, and in the following time spread across Germany, where there are regularly meetings in many Catholic churches and was also introduced into other European cities. The founders are Katharina Fassler-Maloney and Andreas Süß. Only one event was originally planned, which was then reiterated due to its success.

Concept

After an evening Mass on a Saturday in the centre of the city the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration, accompanied by prayer, singing and the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (penance) and to talk (with a priest, etc.) until late into the night. Volunteers go out into the streets and invite people into the church.

Venues

Nightfever takes place in city centre Catholic churches.

  • Great Britain
    • London, St Patrick's Church, Soho Square
    • Oxford, Blackfriars
    • Gosport, St Mary's RC Church
    • Manchester, Holy Name Church
    • Sheffield, St Marie's Cathedral
  • Scotland
    • Glasgow, St Aloysius Church
  • Canada
    • Halifax, St. Mary´s Basilica
  • Germany:
    • Aachen, St. Foillan
    • Augsburg, Dom Unserer Lieben Frau
    • Berlin, St. Bonifatius
    • Bonn, St. Remigius
    • Düsseldorf, St. Lambertus
    • Duisburg, Liebfrauenkirche
    • Erfurt, Lorenzkirche
    • Frankfurt, Frankfurter Dom
    • Freiburg, St. Martin
    • Fulda, Heilig-Geist-Kirche
    • Gummersbach, St. Franziskus
    • Heidelberg, St. Anna
    • Höhr-Grenzhausen, St. Peter und Paul
    • Jena, St. Johannes Baptist
    • Köln, Kölner Dom
    • Mainz, Augustinerkirche
    • München, St. Peter
    • Münster, St. Lamberti
    • Nürnberg, St. Elisabeth
    • Paderborn, Marktkirche
    • Regensburg, St. Johann
    • Saarbrücken, Basilika St. Johann
    • Trier, St. Gangolf
    • Würzburg, Karmelitenkloster Würzburg Maria Magdalena
    • Wuppertal, St. Laurentius
  • Austria
    • Graz, Franziskanerkloster
    • Wien, Wiener Minoritenkirche
  • Switzerland:
    • Basel, Clarakirche
  • Denmark
    • Copenhagen, St. Ansgars
  • Netherlands
    • Oldenzaal, St. Plechelmus-Basilika
  • The United States of America

References

  1. ^ O'Loughlin, Michael (December 24, 2014). "Young Catholics evangelize, one candle at a time". Crux. Retrieved 2014-12-26.
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