
In his own life, he temporarily had to suspend his seminary studies to care for his family after his father died. He wanted to provide insurance to care for the widows and orphans left behind. This was before most government support programs were established. As a parish priest in an immigrant community, McGivney saw what could happen to a family when the main income earner died.

The Order was intended to be a mutual benefit society. Mullen, who later led the organization, coined the name "Knights of Columbus", which expressed the ritualistic nature of the new organization and drew from positive historical associations. McGivney had originally conceived of the name "Sons of Columbus". Mary's Parish for an organizational meeting on October 2, 1881. McGivney, an American Catholic priest, founded the Knights of Columbus in New Haven, Connecticut. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus Its substantial membership and financial resources have enabled it to exercise considerable influence within the Catholic church and to promote Catholic views in social and political discourse.Įarly history Founding Michael J. The organization provided relief to soldiers in wars throughout the 20th century and fought anti-Catholic and racial prejudice. It expanded beyond Connecticut and the United States to establish its first international councils by 1905. The order was designed to foster members' pride in both their Catholic and American heritages and to establish standards of behavior for Catholic gentlemen.

It is also one of the world's largest insurance companies and operates the shrine to Pope John Paul II in Washington, D.C. Today, it advocates for Catholic causes and provides a range of philanthropic and support services to Catholic institutions worldwide. The Knights of Columbus was initially a mutual benefit society for a membership of practicing male Catholics. The history of the Knights of Columbus begins with its founding in 1882 by Father Michael J.
