On
October 2, 1881, a small group of men met in the basement of St. Mary's Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut. Called
together by their parish priest Father
Michael J. McGivney, these men formed a fraternal society that
would one day become the world's largest Catholic family fraternal
service organization. They sought strength in solidarity, and security through unity of purpose and devotion to a holy cause: they vowed
to be defenders of their country and their families and their Faith.
These men were bound together by the ideal of Christopher Columbus,
the discoverer of the Americas, the one whose hand brought the Holy
Faith to this New World. They were Knights of Columbus.
Through the foresight and leadership of Father McGivney, and the sacrifice
and dedication of those early Knights, and the millions of their
brother who have followed in their footsteps, the Knights of Columbus would become the world's foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society,
one that has helped millions of Catholic families grow in their
faith and defend their beliefs. It has made its members better husbands, fathers, sons, and citizens. It has helped families obtain economic
security and stability through the Knights'insurance program. It has built Catholic communities, fed the poor and defended the vulnerable. It has helped to renovate the Vatican and bring the Pope to the world. Since it was incorporated on March 29, 1882, The Knights of Columbus
has grown from several members in one council to more than 12,000
councils and over 1.6 million members throughout the United States,
Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto
Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and
Saipan. The Order has had thirteen Supreme Knights—from the
first Supreme Knight, James T. Mullen, who designed the famous emblem of the Order, 
to our current Supreme Knight, Carl A.
Anderson, who leads the Order across the threshold of the 21st century.
| The Grand Knight is the Chief Executive Officer of the Council and is responsible for all aspects of Council operation. He presides over Council meetings and is ex-officio member of all committees. His emblem, the Anchor carried on a purple ribbon, is indicative of Columbus, the Mariner. It has also been a variant form of the Cross for centuries. His is a royal purple robe with white cincture with silver fringe. A purple mantle with white roll collar is also worn. |  |
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The Chaplain provides spiritual guidance to the Council. His emblem is the Cross, worn on a black ribbon. The robe, too, is black with black trimming and yoke with white projecting collar. The cincture is black with silver fringe. |
| The Deputy Grand Knight acts on behalf of the Grand Knight in his absence and also serves as General Programs Director. His emblem, the Compass, was also used by Columbus, the Mariner. The Knights of Columbus Compass, with its points being Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism, is known as the Compass of Virtue; its 32 flame-like rays represent the 32 virtues which may be possessed by men. It is hung from a purple ribbon. His robe is the same as the Grand Knight, but without the mantle. |  |
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The Chancellor is the third ranking Council Officer. He is in charge of Vocations and indoctrinating new members into Council activities. The Chancellor usually acts as Council Activities Chairman as well. His emblem is the Isabella Cross, with Skull and Crossbones; it is worn on a black over white ribbon. The Cross is self-explanatory, while the Skull and Crossed Bones are symbolic of man's mortality. The Chancellor wears a black robe trimmed with white and a white cincture with silver fringe. He also wears a black mantle with white roll collar. |
| The Financial Secretary records all money transactions, issues and collects bills, issues membership cards, and is otherwise responsible for all financial matters of the Council except those allocated to the Treasurer. His emblem is a Crossed Key and Quill. The Key has always been associated with an office concerned with money, safekeeping and secrecy. The Quill is the symbol of a scribe - a recordkeeper - one who writes letters, documents, etc. This jewel is worn on a white over yellow ribbon. His robe is black, trimmed with black, and a white cincture with silver fringe. |  |
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The Treasurer keeps all funds, maintains the accounts of the Council, and issues Council checks upon receipt of a proper voucher from the Financial Secretary. Crossed Keys worn on a blue ribbon are symbolic of his complete authority over funds, particularly responsibility for their safekeeping. His robe is black, trimmed with black, and a white cincture with silver fringe. |
| The Warden assures that all members at meetings possess the current membership card. He is custodian of all Council property except funds and is in charge of properly setting up the Council Chamber. He directs the activities of the Inside and Outside Guards. His emblem, an Axe Bound with Rods, known as a Faces, was traditionally carried by the guards or protectors of Roman magistrates as a symbol of authority. The Warden ideally has and exercises that authority. The ribbon is colored red over black. His robe is black trimmed with scarlet with a scarlet cincture with silver fringe. |  |
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The Recorder keeps the minutes of the meetings, conducts correspondence as directed by the Grand Knight, and keeps official historic documents of the Council. In the absence of the Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight, he presides at Council meetings. Crossed Quills hung from a white over yellow ribbon are symbolic of his responsibilities for letter and document (records) writing and preservation. His robe is black, trimmed with black, with a white cincture with silver fringe. |
| The Lecturer provides entertainment for the members after meetings, particularly the second meeting of the month, which is our social meeting, and handles certain other major social events of the Council such as Family Dinners. His emblem consists of Lyre and Scroll. These are traditionally symbols of music and literature and the arts. Hence, the Lecturer is in charge of entertainment. His ribbon is white over blue. The Lecturer wears a black robe with national blue trimming and blue cincture with silver fringe. |  |
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The Advocate is the Chief Legal Officer of the Council, resolving procedural matters, acting as parliamentarian,and otherwise handling all legal activities. His emblem is the Scroll with Crossed Sword hung from a yellow ribbon. The Scroll is emblematic of legal literature and law, while the Sword indicates the power to defend and enforce the law. The Advocate's robe is black with golden yellow trim and yellow cincture with silver fringe. |
| The Trustees (three in number) oversee the financial transactions of the Council, review all bills and financial reports and audit the Council's financial records semi-annually. Their emblems, Crossed Key and Sword, indicate this financial authority and are worn on green ribbons. Trustees wear black robes trimmed in green. |  |
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The Inside Guard and the Outside Guards are charged with the security of the Council Chamber, and assist the Warden in meeting the duties of his Office. Their emblems, Crossed Key and Axe hung from a white ribbon, represent their power as sentries at the door. Their robes are gray with black trim and yoke. The cincture is also black with silver fringe. |
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Parade Formations When walking in a parade formation (either two or four abreast) the higher ranking person always precedes a lower ranking person. Usually ladies walk alongside their men. When Past State Deputies or past Grand Knights are in parade formation, the Immediate Past Officer takes precedence. The others follow in order of seniority with the most senior one being first. When walking in a procession formation (always two abreast) the lowest ranking person always precedes a higher ranking person, with the highest ranking person being last in line. When Past State Deputies or past Grand Knights are in procession formation, the one with the least seniority precedes the others in line, with the one exception that the Immediate Past State Deputy or Immediate Past Grand Knight will be the last in the line of Past State Deputies or Past Grand Knights, with the most senior one preceding him. 
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Information on this page courtesy of Council 2169
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