KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

• To render pecuniary aid to its members, their families and beneficiaries of members and their families;
• To render mutual aid and assistance to its sick, disabled and needy members and their families;
• To promote social and intellectual intercourse among its members and their families; and
• To promote and conduct educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and welfare, and public relief work. 

The Order subscribes and adheres to four cardinal principles, namely:

• Charity      – which is love of God and love of neighbor in the name of God.
• Unity       – which is oneness in faith to gain strength in the pursuit of Charity.
• Fraternity – which is Christian brotherhood among the Knights and our fellowmen.
• Patriotism – which is love of country.

The Knights of Columbus was founded by Rev. Fr. Michael J. Mc Givney, a young Catholic Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Church in 1881 in New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A..

On March 29, 1882, the Knights of Columbus was incorporated and obtained legal status in the State of Connecticut, U.S.A. The name “Knights of Columbus” was adopted simply because the organizers strongly felt that the organization should relate to Christopher Columbus, the Catholic heritage. On April 23, 1905, the first council of the Knights of Columbus was established in the Philippines. This was Council No.1000. In the beginning, the membership in Manila Council was exclusively American. However, 1907 and 1908 saw the admission of qualified Filipinos as first degree Knights. By 1920, the membership in the Council was predominantly Filipino.

Fr. Willmann was appointed in 1948 as the first District Deputy in the Philippines, Upon the demise of Fr. Willmann, former Senator and Ambassador, Hon. Oscar Ledesma was appointed Philippines Deputy. He presided over the continued growth of the order in the Philippines.             Mardonio R. Santos succeeded Ambassador Oscar Ledesma as Philippines Deputy in 1983. Under his leadership, the Knights of Columbus achieved remarkable growth. The Columbian Squires is the Youth Organizations of the Knights of Columbus. In 1950, the first Columbian Squires was organized in Cebu City. This was Circle 623 sponsored by Council No. 3106 of Cebu. It held its first national convention in Parañaque, Rizal in 1969. As of January, 1996, there were 9,681 Squires from 256 Circles in Luzon Jurisdiction, 1,670 squires from 58 Circles in Visayas Jurisdiction; and 6,128 Squires from 168 Circles in Mindanao Jurisdiction. As of December 2008, there were 9,762 Squires in 435 Circles in Luzon Jurisdiction; 2,826 Squires in 133 Circles in Visayas Jurisdiction and 3,502 Squires in 182 Circles in Mindanao Jurisdiction.

The Hierarchy of the Order is constituted by the Supreme Council, the Supreme Board of Directors, the Supreme Knight, the State (Territorial) Deputy, the District Deputy and the Council. The Supreme Council is the Governing body of the Knights of Columbus. It is composed of the Supreme Officers, members of the Supreme Board, State or Territorial Deputies, and Past/ Living State/ Territorial Deputies. The Board of Directors elect annually a Supreme Chaplain and a Supreme Warden and appoint from their own number the Supreme Knight, Deputy Supreme Knight, Supreme Secretary, Supreme Treasurer, Supreme Advocate and a Supreme Physician. At the District level, the District Deputy supervises the Subordinates Councils under the District. The District Deputy is also a member of the Diocesan Round Table. The Subordinate Council is the basic unit of the Knights of Columbus. Its officers are the Grand Knight as the Chief Executive Officer, the Chaplain, Deputy Grand Knight, Chancellor, Recorder, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Lecturer, Advocate, Warden, Inside and Outside Guards, and three Trustees.

Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to all Catholic gentlemen who is a responsible family model. He copies their attitude of interdependence, and respect for authority. He must have the following qualifications:He must not be less than 18 years of age on his last birthday.

• He must be a “practicing Catholic in union with the Holy See.”
• He must be willing and able to provide for the security and future of his family.
• He must be a resident of the parish of the council he is applying for admission.
• He must not have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.
• He must not give rise or cause scandal to the Order or the Church.

• Church Activity – this is the Knight’s response to the call of the Church for more active involvement in the spirituality of the laity.
• Community Activity – this is the civic involvement and service rendered to the betterment of the community as the externalization of the interior spirituality expressed in the form of Lay Apostolate.  
• Council Activity – this involves activities for members to enhance, strengthen and foster fraternalism among the Knights.
• Family Activity – concerns itself with the strengthening of the family life of the members.
• Youth Activity – serves to help build the youth into responsible citizens of tomorrow.

The Knights of Columbus councils are present and active in most of the parishes in every Diocese or Archdiocese in the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao jurisdictions.

c/o Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ Center

General Luna corner Sta. Potenciana Streets

Intramuros, 1002 Manila

TeleFax   : + 63.2.527. 5388

Mobile       : + 63. 0917.788.3380

A quick glance at the emblem indicates a shield mounted upon the Formee Cross. The shield is 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 from Roman days is symbolic of authority which must exist in any tightly-bonded and efficiently operating 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 red, white and blue in the background of the shield and the foreground of the Cross of Malta are the colors of our country. As such, red is the symbol of hope, of calm tranquility under God and of confidence in the protection of our country. White is the symbol of nobility of purpose, of purity of aim and of crucible – tried ideals to be carried out.

Luzon Deputy :   Alonso L. Tan

State Chaplain :   Most Rev. Honesto F. Ongtioco, D.D.

State Secretary :   Arsenio Isidro G. Yap

State Treasurer :   Joven B. Joaquin

State Advocate :   Jose C. Reyes, Jr.

State Warden :   Pascual C. Carbero