In February, 1882, in New Haven, Connecticut, Father Michael McGivney and his companions established the movement.

The movement became an Order from the beginning. Men brought together in this Order bore the name "Knight". Christopher Columbus was chosen as Patron of the Order.

Its Nature

The first element of its nature: it is a movement which unites men of faith and who, following the wishes of its founder, is not a part of the formal structure of the Church. It is not a religious or a Catholic movement, nor is it a social movement, but essentially a "CATHOLIC LAY ORDER CALLED THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS".

The second element of its nature: it is a FEDERATIVE FORM OF FRATERNAL MUTAL HELP SOCIETY; insurance constitutes a link with the movement and its objectives; it is a way to attain those objectives related to helping the widow and the orphan; characteristically, it issues no shares and is not-for-profit - its activities are based upon charity and upon fraternity - its field of activity is demonstrably social.

Article 2 of the Charter, Regulations and Constitution of the Order define the objectives of the Founder as follows: provide financial assistance to its members, to their families and, having the right; provide assistance to members who are sick, invalid and needy, including their families; to encourage, amongst it members and their families, social and intellectual relations; to promote and direct educational, charitable, religious and social works; to provide help in time of war and civil disaster.

A Catholic Lay Movement

From its foundation, it has been a movement founded for laymen, belonging to laymen and administered and directed by laymen.

Its character as a Catholic, family-based and protective movement of faith has made it readily acceptable in Quebec. Over the years, Councils have multiplied to a point where, today, there are over five hundred and fourthy (540). It is safe to say that the Knights of Columbus cover the greater proportion of the Dioceses of Quebec.

The Knights of Columbus, a fraternal mutual help society, consists of MEN of faith. It is, since its foundation, an EXCLUSIVELY MALE movement.

Only the initiation ceremonies retain their members-only status, which makes it a "quasi-secret" movement.

In1882, Father Michael McGivney adopted for the Order, the principles of CHARITY AND UNITY. Several years later, two other principles were added: FRATERNITY and PATRIOTISM (1899).

Even though they are not inscribed in the original "Charter, Regulations and Constitution", these four principles constitute the four poles of the initiation ceremonies and are considered the pillars of Columbian life. They must guide the actions and attitudes of Knights in daily life.