Council History

 

In the year 1882, a young Parish Priest named Father Michael J. McGivney was desperately seeking a way in which to help the growing number of widows, orphans & crippled at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven. His congregation was comprised of mostly poor Irish immigrants who worked under nightmarish conditions as day laborers, and were faced with discrimination and distain at every turn. He dreamed of a way to bring the people of his Parish together, a way to help the poor and fight discrimination.

  In the basement of St. Mary's, Father McGivney met with some of the men of his Parish, and the Knights of Columbus was born. He chose the name Knights of Columbus, the Knights for the Knights of old, full of valor and chivalry, and Columbus, who brought the word of God to the New World. On March 29, 1882 the Connecticut state legislature officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society. The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity.

The Knights was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.

The history of the Order shows how the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican, brought about what has become the world's foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities.

The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in the basement of a Church, to more than 13,000 councils and 1.8 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan.

The early system of fraternal benefits has grown into a top-quality life insurance society, offering a variety of policy plans to members and their families. Both A. M. Best Co. and Standard & Poor's rate K of C insurance "Superior" - A++ and AAA, respectively - their highest designations.

The Knights of Columbus, the world's largest organization of Catholic men and their families, has been called "the strong right arm of the Church," and has been cited by popes, presidents and other world leaders for support of the Church, for programs of evangelization and Catholic education, for civic involvement and aid to those in need.

"Protecting Families for Generations" is a motto that captures the Knights' adherence to the legacy of Father McGivney and fidelity to his vision.
The Patchogue Knights of Columbus Council #725 was formed on January 4th, 1903, just 21 short years after Father McGivney's dream. The Council has been active in serving the Patchogue Community, Churches and Hospitals now for well over a century. With over 400 members, the Patchogue Knights of Columbus remains loyal to the Principles set forth by Father McGivney of Charity, Unity & Fraternity.


http://www.fathermcgivney.org/en/index.html