The Knights of Columbus, who Pope John Paul II referred to as "the strong right arm of the Catholic Church", was founded by an Irish priest in the 1800's. It is based on the principles of charity for our Lord tells us in Matthew 19:21 that charity atones for a multitude of sins and buys us great treausure in heaven (1 Timothy 6:18-19).
The Knights of Columbus is composed of tens of thousands of local 'councils' affiliated with a local parish or a local region of the country and each is run by a Grand Knight who is elected by the council members for a term of one year and may be re-elected for a second term. He is assisted by a Deputy Grand Knight, Chancellor, Warden, etc.
The councils raise money running parish breakfasts after Sunday services, selling turkey raffles, ham raffles, etc.; running golf outings, road races, etc. Some of the money raised is sent to the Supreme council which does works of charity on the national and international level.
For example, when the 9/11 attacks heppened, the first million dollar check pledged was from the Knights of Columbus. Whenever you see a mass from the Vatican on Christmas, Easter, etc.; the satelite feed to televise it to the entire world is paid for by the Knights of Columbus. Etc.
On the local level, each council addresses the local needs. For example, our council, which is composed of a little over a hundred members (and only about half of them are active so we're talking about sixty members) raised in excess of $24,000 during the year for local needs. Some of that went to the church and the school. Some went toward scholarships for priests and nuns. Some to help unwed mothers so they do not get an abortion. Some to help the local handicap.
In addition to giving out money, we also assist with our time. We decorate the church for the holidays, help the elderly do everyday things that they can no longer do by themselves. Etc.
If you are a Catholic gentleman in good standing with the church and you have the time and are interested in helping others, the Knights could use you. Application for membership must be made through the council in the community nearest the applicant's place of residence. Interested prospects without a permanent domicile, such as men temporarily away from home through duty in the armed forces, may make application through their hometown council or at the nearest council on a military base. Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practical Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who shall not be less than 18 years of age on their last birthday. A practical Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church. Acceptance of the applicant depends upon a vote of the members of the subordinate council in which he is making application.
If favorably voted upon, the applicant becomes a member by initiation known as the First Degree. There are four degrees of knighthood and one must go through an exemplification process for each degree. Upon completing the third degree, a member is considered a full knight and can hold office on the local level. There is also a fourth honory Patriotic Degree which is needed if one wishes to hold office beyond the local level.
Additionally, the Knights of Columbus has one of the best insurance programs in the industry. Both A. M. Best Co. and Standard & Poor's rate K of C insurance "Superior" - A++ and AAA, respectively - their highest designations. The insurance program is open only to knights and their families.
