Membership in the Knights of
Columbus is open to practical Catholic men in union with the Holy See,
who shall not be less than 18 years of age on their last birthday. A
practical Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and
the Precepts of the Church. Application blanks are available from any
member of the Knights of Columbus. Every knight is happy to propose
eligible Catholic men for consideration as members.
Acceptance of the applicant depends upon a
vote of the members of the subordinate council in which he is making
application.
All priests and religious brothers having
duly made application for membership and participated in the
ceremonials become honorary life members of the Order and are exempt
from payment of dues.
Application for membership must be made
through the council in the community nearest the applicant's place of
residence. Interested prospects without a permanent domicile, such as
men temporarily away from home through duty in the armed forces, may
make application through their hometown council or at the nearest
council on a military base.
If favourably voted upon, the applicant
becomes a member by initiation known as the First Degree. He
subsequently is advanced through the Second Degree and the Third
Degree.
There are modest initiation fees and dues
set by subordinate councils under regulations established by the
Supreme Council. The insurance privileges are available to all members
who can qualify, which represents an important advantage of
membership. For men in every walk of life the name Knights of Columbus
engenders the image of a united organization, efficiently going about
it tasks of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism and defense of the
priesthood. It is composed of men who are giving unselfishly of their
time and talents in service of God and their country.
Membership in the Knights of Columbus
provides opportunity for wholesome association with congenial
companions who are, first of all, practical Catholic gentlemen. It
offers the opportunity for fellowship with those who are of the same
belief, who recognize the same duty to God, to family and to neighbor
and who stand side by side in defense of those beliefs. Programs are
so organized as to appeal to the individual interest of the members.
Through many constructive activities of Christian fraternity, members
are enabled to render service to their Church, their country and their
fellowman. Through membership they develop a consciousness of their
ability to lead and to assist.
Organized Columbianism, united behind the
individual Knight of Columbus, provides the power of an intelligent,
alert body of Catholic men--a strength which the individual by himself
cannot achieve.
Knights of Columbus have a proud heritage.
The qualified Catholic man can share in that heritage and build for an
even greater future by affiliating himself with this forceful,
effective
body.