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Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practical Catholic men at least 18 years of age. A practical Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church.
Every Knight is happy to propose eligible Catholic men for consideration as members.
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. He subsequently is advanced through the Second Degree and the Third Degree. (In order to serve as a council officer, you must be a Third Degree.)
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There are modest initiation fees and dues set by subordinate councils under regulations established by the Supreme Council. The insurance privileges are available to all members who can qualify, which represents an important advantage of membership. Your membership in our local Council also means you become a member of the International Organization. For men in every walk of life the name Knights of Columbus engenders the image of a united organization, efficiently going about it tasks of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism and defense of the priesthood. It is composed of men who are giving unselfishly of their time and talents in service of God and their country.
K of C has a proud heritage. The qualified Catholic man can share in that heritage and build an even greater future by affiliating himself with this forceful, effective body.
The Patriotic Degree (4th)
Another degree open to members of the K of C is that of the Fourth (or Patriotic) Degree. On February 22, 1900, the first exemplification of that degree was held in New York City. The ritual added patriotism to the three original principles of the Order: charity, unity and fraternity. Any Third Degree member in good standing, one year after the anniversary of his First Degree, is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree.
The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups called assemblies. Fourth Degree members must retain their membership as Third Degree members in the local council to remain in good standing.
Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity which has brought worldwide recognition to the K of C organization.
Six reasons why you should consider becoming be a Knight
1) As an integral part of the world's largest and most dynamic Catholic fraternal organization, you'll be united with 1.5 million Brothers and their families in more than 9,000 local councils located in the US, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Central America and the Caribbean.
2) Your personal involvement as a Knight will provide opportunities, in charity and fraternity, for service to the Church at the local, diocesan and universal levels; to your communities; and to the less fortunate in our midst.
3) Your active participation in council affairs: spiritual, fraternal, family, social, civic-oriented, athletic and recreational - will serve as a school of leadership and enable you to develop qualities that enhance your strengths and abilities.
4) You'll enjoy a sense of 'belonging' in an organization that shares your religious beliefs; brings together like-minded men joined in a common cause, and offers the opportunity to develop and cement friendships for years to come.
5) Your concerns for your family and for your retirement years can be addressed by the Order's low-cost insurance program, conducted by Brother Knights for Brother Knights, and assure their security and your peace of mind.
6) You'll share in the sense of pride all Knights feel in knowing that their Order is second to none in support of our Holy Father, our Bishops and Priests; in working for our fellow man, especially those most in need; and in binding together to preserve traditional values in the face of attacks against the family and innocent human life.
Some other important benefits available to you as a Knight
You'll be eligible to join The Knights of Columbus Insurance Program
Father McGivney understood that the first duty of a Catholic husband and father is to his family — to care for their needs while alive and, to the best of his ability, to provide for their care in the event of his death. He also knew well the tragic needs of Catholic families of the deceased men in his community. Central to Father McGivney’s founding vision for the Knights of Columbus was providing for the financial security of Catholic families, particularly the widows and orphans of deceased members.
The first purpose listed in the Order’s 1882 charter is “rendering pecuniary aid to its members, their families, and beneficiaries of members and their families.” The establishment of a financially sound insurance program for members of the Order was a primary goal. Today, lack of adequate financial resources is still a great threat to family life. Now, more than ever, the Knights of Columbus continues to address the temporal needs of Catholic families, especially through one of the most highly rated insurance programs in the world.
The Knights of Columbus has hundreds of insurance agents, serving the needs of families in local councils.
RATINGS & STATISTICS
• Rated A++ (Superior) by A. M. Best—highest rating for 24 straight years
• This rating puts the Knights in the top 2% of all rated independent companies
• Rated AAA (Superior) by Standard and Poor’s. Highest possible rating, held by just 17 independent insurance companies in the US and Canada, and held only by the Knights among all fraternal benefit societies
• Over $4.2 billion of insurance issued in 1998
• $35.8 billion total insurance in force
• Over 1.4 million certificates in force
• Paid $196 million in life dividends in 1998
• Over $1 billion in death benefits paid
• $7.5 billion in assets
You'll be eligible for the Knights of Columbus Student Loan Program
Knights of Columbus is a lender under the Guaranteed Student Loan Program. This loan is available to members of the Order in good standing; the wives, sons and daughters of members of the Order in good standing; and the widows, sons and daughters of members of the Order who were in good standing at the time of their death. In addition, priests, brothers, sisters, seminarians, and postulants (without reference to membership in the Order) as well as members of the Columbian Squires mayapply. Applicant must be enrolled as at least a half-time student and must be a citizen or resident alien of the United States. Maximum annual loan amounts: $2,625 for freshman and $3,500 for sophomores; $5,500 for 3rd & 4th year students, $8,500 for graduate students.
For information, contact:
Knights of Columbus Student Loan Committee
P.O. Box 1670
New Haven, CT 06507-0901
Phone: (203) 772-2130 Ext 224
All Knights receive Columbia Magazine, the K of C's award-winning monthly publication