Late 19th century America, in particular the East
Coast, was marked by hostility toward immigrants, mostly Catholics, and
dangerous factory and mine working conditions that left many families
fatherless. Recognizing a number of
needs in his New Haven, Connecticut community, Father Michael J. McGivney
gathered a group of men at Saint Mary’s Church on October 2, 1881.
Forming a fraternal organization, the men vowed to be united
with their fellowmen in the Catholic faith and to provide for the families of
deceased members. Catholic men were drawn
to this new fraternity because of its emphasis on serving one’s Church,
community and family with virtue.
As a symbol that their allegiance to America did not
conflict with their allegiance to their Catholic faith, they took as their
patron Christopher Columbus – recognized as a Catholic and celebrated as the
European discoverer of America. In 1882
they were chartered in Connecticut as the Knights of Columbus. By 1897 they were established all the way west to California.
Edward L. Hearn wrote in 1898 that a Knight should live
according to the vittues of loyalty, charity, courtesy and modesty, as well as “self-denial
and careful respect for the feelings of others.”
