Father McGivney understood that the first duty of a Catholic husband and father is to his family — to care for their needs while alive and, to the best of his ability, to provide for their care in the event of his death.

He also knew well the tragic needs of Catholic families of the deceased men in his community. Central to Father McGivney's founding vision for the Knights of Columbus was providing for the financial security of Catholic families, particularly the widows and orphans of deceased members.

To fully appreciate the dynamics of the Knights of Columbus, it is helpful to understand how the Order started in 1882. The United States was experiencing tremendous growth population- much of it stemming from European immigrants.

It was a time of adjustment and sacrifice for these pioneers. Catholic immigrants found themselves to be a despised minority. Discriminated against, they were given the lowest paid, most menial and dangerous jobs. Poverty, disease and accidents took their toll and often resulted in the death of the breadwinner.

Around the Parish of Saint Mary's Catholic Church in New Haven, CT, Father Michael J. McGivney saw the hardships faced by the widows and orphans of his community.

Having had the same experience as a child, he knew firsthand of the difficulties faced by these families. Left without pensions or means of support, they turned to their parish community for help.

Father McGivney responded. In 1882, Father Michael McGivney brought together the concerned men of his parish to form a new fellowship of care and protection: THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. It's primary goal: "To render financial aid to its members and the beneficiaries of its members."

By pooling their resources, the Knights of Columbus were able to establish a fund that would nurture and sustain families left behind even through the hardest times. Since that first meeting in the basement of Saint Mary's Church, the Order has grown to over 14,000 councils. Total membership exceeds 1.7 million Catholic families- - - an extended family of seven million men, women and children.

Since that first council was formed in New Haven, CT, the Order has grown to include councils in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Panama, Guam, Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic. The latest country in which the Order is located is Poland.

Crossing nations, we have given support touching Catholics everywhere. Our members created the VICARIUS CHRISTI FUND. The earnings each year are conveyed to the Pope for His personal charitable purpose.

The Knights of Columbus underwrote completely the renovations of the entire facade of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, the most famous church in the world.

The Knights of Columbus supports vocations through the RSVP program of financial aid and personal encouragement for seminarians.

The Knights of Columbus provides Scholarship Programs as well as Church Mortgages.

The Knights of Columbus provides charitable contributions and volunteer services worldwide. They support an educational program for children of law enforcement, fire fighters and military personnel.

On a state and local level, there are many programs which the Knights of Columbus supports including church, council, community, family and youth activities.

The Knights support the needy, the disabled and Special Olympics. They support victims of disasters. They support with manpower and money countless groups that serve the poorest of the poor.

The first purpose listed in the Order's 1882 charter is "rendering pecuniary aid to its members, their families, and beneficiaries of members and their families."

The establishment of a financially sound insurance program for members of the Order was a primary goal. Today, lack of adequate financial resources is still a great threat to family life. Now, more than ever, the Knights of Columbus continues to address the temporal needs of Catholic families, especially through one of the most highly-rated insurance programs in the world.