FIRSTS IN CANADA

Father Michael McGivney, founder of the Order, got his pre-seminary education at St. Hyacinthe, Quebec at age 16 - 18 (1868-70) and first seminary training at St. Mary's College in Montreal (1872-73), being finally ordained in Baltimore.

First Council ever formed outside the U.S., formed in Montreal November 25 1897.

First State Deputy in Canada was John P. Kavanagh of Montreal, his appointment coinciding with Canada being declared a State jurisdiction on May 24, 1900.

Canada's first Master of the Fourth Degree was Joseph A. Mercier of Montreal, appointed sometime before January 14 1907.

Canada's first Fourth Degree Exemplification was held in Montreal on July 14, 1907... the first ever outside the U.S.

First Canadian Supreme Director Joseph A. Mercier 1909-1918.

First ever meeting of the Fourth Degree worldwide National Assembly was held in Quebec City July 29, 1910.

Canada's first Vice Supreme Master of the Fourth Degree, Michael J. Gorman of Ottawa, was appointed July 29, 1910.

First Supreme Convention ever held outside of the USA, was in Quebec City August 2-4, 1910.

Columbian Squires was established by the Order at the August 7-9, 1923 Supreme Convention in Montreal. There were 20,000 Knights in attendance, the largest attendance ever at a Supreme Convention.

SOME BASIC FACTS

History: The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic family, fraternal, service organization instituted March 29, 1882 in New Haven, Connecticut by Fr Michael J. McGivney. This organization was introduced into Canada on November 25, 1897 in Montreal. The Fourth Degree, which was founded or February 22, 1900 in New York city, came to Canada on July 14, 1907, again to Montreal. The K of C have the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. Founded upon ideals inspired by teachings of our Catholic faith, it has a proud heritage of service to the Church, country, family and community. Headquarters for the Order are in New Haven and its membership is present in twelve countries . . . the USA, Canada, Mexico, Philippines, Cuba Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Saipan, Guam, Virgin Islands and Panama.

Membership: As of June 30, 1995, world wide membership stands at 1.55 million men in 10,556 councils. Including wives and children of members, the K of C's extended family totals about six million people . . . the size of a small country as Pope John Paul I said. It is the largest Catholic men's organization in the world and the third largest mens organization in Canada. Canada has 1693 Councils with 222,782 members.

Insurance: At year end 1994, the Order showed life insurance in force of $26. 7 billion, ranking among the top 5% of insurance companies in North America. A total of 517,000 Brother Knights have at this time availed themselves of this benefit. There is a wide variety of top quality insurance and annuity programs available to members and their families. A special new package of free insurance benefits to new Knights was introduced in January 1995.

PROGRAMS

Church: The Knights are involved in a great many projects in support of the Church on a local, national and international level. One of the oldest (starting in 1947) and best known programs is the Catholic Information Service which, through an annual assessment of 80 cents per member, provides free religious pamphlets and instruction to millions of inquirers. In 1994, 9500 inquirers enrolled in this correspondence course. The Order also provides volunteer and financial resources in support of vocations awareness programs at local and national levels. At the Council / Assembly level, there is a considerable amount of support for parishes, for seminarians, clergy and bishops. At the national level, the Bishop de Laval Fund supports our Canadian Bishops with an annual contribution which in 1994 was $63,080. At the international level, the Order has financed renovations in the Vatican, underwrites the cost of satellite TV broadcasting for Papal functions, has a Vatican and Papal microfilm library, has created a $20 million foundation (Vicarius Christi Fund), the earnings of which are conveyed annually to the Holy Father for his own personal charitable purposes. And much more. The Knights have distributed over two million K of C rosaries, currently at about 10,000 a month.

Charity: During the year 1994-95, the Order gave $100 million to charity, $72 million of which was through local Councils, $17 million from Supreme Council (international governing body) and $12 million from State (provincial level) Councils. In addition an estimated 49 million hours of volunteer service was provided by members of the Order in the same time frame, and 345,000 Brothers donated blood.

Fraternal: The Order, inherently a very fraternal organization, has many programs aimed at strengthening the bonds as Brothers in Christ.

Family: Through programs of family prayer, family participation in the parish liturgy, concern of Christian values in the home and school, days of family recreation and much more, the K of C's work to defend family life which is under attack by immoral forces rampant in society.

Pro Life: The Order devotes outstanding effort and resources at all levels in attempts to end the legalized slaughter of innocents. In the early 1990s, the Order has undertaken a nation wide awareness pro- gram of erecting "Tombs to the Unborn".

Youth: The Order has multifaceted programs to help our youth in sports, youth camps and in the educational field with student loans and scholarships and with the establishment of college/university Councils. The Order also established an organization for boys between 12 and 18 years of age called Columbian Squires. This came about at the Supreme Convention held in Montreal on August 7-9, 1923.

As of mid 1995, the Order-wide membership count

is 24,355 Squires in 1071 Circles. Alberta started a similar program in 1971 for girls, called Columbian Squirettes.

Seniors: Several Councils in Alberta have sponsored the building of government subsidized Seniors lodges, residences and low cost housing.

Community Services: In 1994 the world-wide K of C membership volunteered a total of 60 million hours of community service to youth, communities, hospitals, jails and churches. K of Cs sponsor programs to feed the hungry, aid the elderly, shelter the homeless, guide young people, and to assist the physicaly and mentally handicapped.

Patriotism: The Order fosters love of country through patriotic projects of its Fourth Degree members.

Benefits of Membership

1. Membership provides association and fellowship with a community of some of the finest of Catholic men

        and their families, from all walks of life.

2. Membership is a sound investment that will bring generous dividends in spirtual growth, personality, 

        character, leadership and success.

3. The resources of this 1.5 million member organization are available to members so that they might 

        accomplish Christian oriented projects which they can not do alone.

4. Membership provides the urge to think wi and work for the restoration of all things in Christ.

5. The Member/Spouse Fraternal Benefit provides accidental death insurance coverage up to $2500 (Can.)

        for all members at no cost.

6. The Family Fraternal Benefit that, for eligible families, (a) pays $1500 for the child who dies before the age

        of 61days; (b) pays $750 for the child who is stillborn at least 20 weeks after conception; (c)offers     

        guaranteed-issue insurance up to $5000 to any child under age 18.

7. The Orphan Fraternal Benefit that endows an $80 monthly allotment for orphans of eligible families. Also

        up to $7000 in college scholarships are available through this benefit.

8. Twelve Canadian scholarships are available for higher education. Student loans for members, spouse and 

        children (see Appendix for further information).

9. A portfolio of top quality insurance, RRSP and annuity products are offered to members and their wives.

10. Each new or readmitted member receives a K of C rosary.

11. All members receive a free subscription to Columbia magazine, which their wives continue to get after

        the members death.

12. A daily Mass of remembrance is held at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut for deceased 

        members of the Order . . . and much, much, more!