The Knights of Columbus (KofC) were created in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney, a young assistant pastor in New Haven, Connecticut. McGivney was concerned about the plight of Catholic immigrants in his community, who were often poor and faced discrimination. He wanted to create a fraternal organization that would provide them with financial support and a sense of community.
The KofC was also founded in response to the growing popularity of secret societies, which were often anti-Catholic. McGivney wanted to create a Catholic alternative that would provide men with a sense of brotherhood and camaraderie.
The KofC's four pillars are charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. The organization has a long history of providing charitable support to its members and their communities. It is also a strong advocate for Catholic values and beliefs.
In short, the KofC were created to provide financial support, a sense of community, and a Catholic alternative to secret societies for Catholic immigrants in the late 19th century.
Today, the KofC is the world's largest Catholic fraternal organization, with over 2 million members in over 80 countries. It continues to provide its members with financial support, a sense of community, and a way to live their Catholic faith.
