| Fr. John A. Nolan Council 3537, Clarksville, TN |
| The Ladies' Secret Guide to the Knights of Columbus For Wives, Friends & Families of new Knights By Greg & Sue Taillon, NH State Council |
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Husband: "Honey, I've been asked to join the Knights of Columbus." Wife:"What are the Knights of Columbus?" Husband: "Well, all I really know is that it's a mens' group that helps the Church and Community. I'll be taking my First Degree next Monday." Wife:"What's a First Degree?" Husband: "Well, frankly, I don't know. But when I find out, I won't be able to tell you." Wife: "So, you're joining a group of men that supposedly does good things and you can't tell me anything about it? Well, please don't forget that you have a wife and a family." Husband: "Well, I am told that IT IS a FAMILY oriented organization!" Wife: "And how do your wife and kids get involved and what kinds of family activities do the Knights out on????" Husband:"Well, I'm not sure, but I'll find out." Three months later.... Young Child: "Mommy, where's Daddy going again tonight?" Wife: "He's at another Knights meeting again, sweetie." Young Child: "Mommy, what does he do at Knights meetings?" Wife: "Well, honey, I'm not really sure. Why don't you and I ask him tomorrow night!" When your husband, father, or maybe older brother joins the Knights of Columbus, he is joining the largest Catholic, Family, Service Organization in the world. What does that all mean???? Simply put, he's doing a good thing! This group of men believes in the Family, and need their family's involvement and support. The Knights is a service organization that also supports the community. With these as its high ideals, it is the responsibility of the local Council that he will join to run programs and activities that support Church, Community, Family, Youth, and Pro-Life efforts, and the needs of their local Council. But, let's get back to the sample dialogue above. It could represent what happens to many new Knights and their families. Unfortunately and often unintentionally, many families are kept in the dark about the Knights. Councils are encouraged to provide the ladies and families of new Knights with orientation sessions at the time he joins. And thus, the intent of this brief guide is to further help make you more knowledgeable about the organization that he and your family are joining. First of all, let's clarify an incorrect belief about the Knights of Columbus. While Knights keep secret their degree ceremonials, it is NOT a secret organization!!!!!! If your Knight isn't sharing with you everything else, ASK HIM! Make him explain to you and the family about his Knights involvement. What happened at the last business meeting; what activities, events, and programs are being planned by the Council; how the Council is meeting the needs of the pastor and parish community; what family and youth events are coming up and what the officers and directors are responsible for in his Council. And for any other question you may have, simply ASK HIM! He should welcome your interest and involvement! Secondly, it is a FAMILY oriented organization. A Knight's wife and family should ALWAYS be involved in the programs and activities of his local Council. If the Council isn't sponsoring enough Family and Youth events/activities, your Knight has the RESPONSIBILITY to step forward and initiate them. Your involvement is critical to the success of his Council, the needs of the Church and Community. Finally, the more his family knows about the Knights, the more likely they will share and support his involvement. So with this in mind, below you will find a number of terms, titles, and expressions that will hopefully make it easier for you and your kids to talk about and understand what your Knight is involved in.
-DISTRICT DEPUTY- Supports 4 to 5 Councils and works with their Grand Knights -STATE DEPUTY- Head of a State Jurisdiction -SUPREME KNIGHT- Head of the worldwide Knights of Columbus. The Supreme Headquarters is located in New Haven, Connecticut. |
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| Council Officer Positions and Duties |
Position |
Duties |
Degree Teams- One of the primary purposes of degree
ceremonials is to exemplify the principles and lessons of Charity,
Unity, and Fraternity. To accomplish this, Degree Teams are
formed by the grand Knight of a Council for the 1st Degree; by the
District Deputy for the 2nd Degree; and by the State Ceremonials
Director for a state jurisdiction for the 3rd Degree. After
completing a degree, your new Knight is eligible to learn one of the
parts of that Degree and join that degree team. Degree
Ceremonials are the ONLY part of the Knights that is secret
to non-members.
ceremonials is to exemplify the principles and lessons of Charity,
Unity, and Fraternity. To accomplish this, Degree Teams are
formed by the grand Knight of a Council for the 1st Degree; by the
District Deputy for the 2nd Degree; and by the State Ceremonials
Director for a state jurisdiction for the 3rd Degree. After
completing a degree, your new Knight is eligible to learn one of the
parts of that Degree and join that degree team. Degree
Ceremonials are the ONLY part of the Knights that is secret
to non-members.
A quick glance at the emblem indicates a shield
mounted upon the formee cross. The shield is that
associated with a medieval Knight. The formee cross
is the representation of a traditionally artistic design
of the Cross of Christ through which all graces of
redemption were procured for mankind. This then
represents the Catholic spirit of the Order. Mounted
on the shield are three objects: a fasces standing
vertically, and crossed behind it, an anchor or dagger
or short sword. The fasces from Roman days is
symbolic of authority which must exist in any
tightly-bound organization. The anchor is the
mariner's symbol for Columbus, patron of the Order,
while the short sword or dagger was the weapon of
the Knight when engaged upon an errand of mercy.
Thus, the shield expresses Catholic Knighthood in
organized merciful action, and with the letters K of C,
it proclaims this specific form of activity.
mounted upon the formee cross. The shield is that
associated with a medieval Knight. The formee cross
is the representation of a traditionally artistic design
of the Cross of Christ through which all graces of
redemption were procured for mankind. This then
represents the Catholic spirit of the Order. Mounted
on the shield are three objects: a fasces standing
vertically, and crossed behind it, an anchor or dagger
or short sword. The fasces from Roman days is
symbolic of authority which must exist in any
tightly-bound organization. The anchor is the
mariner's symbol for Columbus, patron of the Order,
while the short sword or dagger was the weapon of
the Knight when engaged upon an errand of mercy.
Thus, the shield expresses Catholic Knighthood in
organized merciful action, and with the letters K of C,
it proclaims this specific form of activity.
| The Emblem of the Order of the Knights of |