Why Join?

What are the Knights of Columbus?

What do we do?

and more...

In Brief

What can the Knights do for you?

Your membership will continue to aid you after graduation. The Knights of Columbus is a fraternity that can support you as you settle in new cities and explore new career opportunities. The Knights of Columbus is an international fraternal organization dedicated to faith, service, and brotherhood. As a college Knight, you will be able to:

  • GROW IN FAITH through prayer, the sacraments, retreats and small group discussions with your brother Knights.

    • Join a band of brothers, a network of men in communities around the world dedicated to corporal works of mercy in the Service of God and neighbor.

    • Share in the sense of pride all Knights feel in knowing that their Order is second to none in support of our Holy Father, our bishops and priests; in working for our fellow man, and especially those most in need.

    • Support your Parish by putting your Catholic faith into action

    • Reach out to meet community needs through programs of charity and service and deepen your faith through volunteerism

    • Be a part of the New Evangelization

  • NETWORK WITH PEERS by attending events such as the annual College Councils Conference, World Youth Day, mission trips and the March for Life.

    • Give back to your community by putting you principles and ideals into action

    • Work with people who have similar beliefs, values, and ideals into action

    • Uphold Catholic teaching by defending marriage families and building a culture of life

    • Build and strengthen Catholic fellowship among families

  • ACCESS TO OUR TOP-RATED LIFE INSURANCE PORTFOLIO including specifically designed financial products for young adults.

    • Provide for the financial security of our members and their families through our Fraternal Benefits program

  • BECOME A LEADER in your council and develop professional skills that will prepare you for your postgraduate career.

Why Join in College

What Does Being a Knight Require of Me?

Since 1882, membership in the Knights of Columbus has been open to men 18 years of age or older who are "practical" (that is, practicing) Catholics in union with the Holy See. Since that time, the Knights of Columbus has understood "practical catholic" to mean a Catholic who accepts the teaching authority of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals, aspires to live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church. All we ask of our members is just this, to be an Adult, Catholic man and to act like one with all its implications. Participation in our council will make that simple(r) for you.

Our Principles

4 Principles, 4 Reasons

All the good works we do are informed by our four core principles:

  1. Charity

Our Catholic faith teaches us to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Members of the Knights of Columbus show love for their neighbors by conducting food drives and donating the food to local soup kitchens and food pantries, by volunteering at Special Olympics, and by supporting, both spiritually and materially, mothers who choose life for their babies. Knights recognize that our mission, and our faith in God, compels us to action. There is no better way to experience love and compassion than by helping those in need, a call we answer every day.

  1. Unity

None of us is as good as all of us. Members of the Knights of Columbus all know that – together – we can accomplish far more than any of us could individually. So we stick together…we support one another. That doesn’t mean that we always agree or that there is never a difference of opinion. It does mean that – as a Knight of Columbus – you can count on the support and encouragement of your brother Knights as you work to make life better in your parish and community.

  1. Fraternity

Venerable Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus, in large part, to provide assistance to the widows and children left behind when the family breadwinner died – often prematurely. The Order’s top-rated insurance program continues to do this today, as do the good works of individual Knights, who gave more than 75.6 million service hours in 2017, illustrating how Catholics serve each other in fraternity and mercy.

  1. Patriotism

Members of the Knights of Columbus, be they Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, Cubans, Filipinos, Poles, or Dominicans, are patriotic citizens. We are proud of our devotion to God and country, and believe in standing up for both. Whether it’s in public or private, the Knights remind the world that Catholics support their nations and are amongst the greatest citizens.

Who We Are: Mission, Faith, History


We are Catholic men building a bridge back to faith. There is much work to be done in the world. Good work period necessary work. And that's what the Knights do. Everyday. Assisting the sick and disabled. Protecting those who can't protect themselves. Whether they are next door or halfway around the world. This is the journey we are on. Our path.

We do it to be better husbands, fathers, sons, neighbors, and Catholics. We invest our time, our efforts, and our resources into our values: Charity. Unity. Fraternity. Patriotism.

We come from many places. And backgrounds. In stages in our lives. But we are all one of faith. A fraternity of men striving to do better and our world. It's one thing to say who you are. It is another to live it. To put your faith and values into action. That's what we do at the Knights of Columbus. That's who we are.

Watch the Video for a similar message.

Why join our council thinks you should join?

In our day, being a Catholic and/or even a man is not just unpopular but is becoming a cultural antithesis. Now more than ever we need to have a foundation of faith, not just in our private lives but among other men. Now as much as ever, the world must be shown what it means to be a Catholic, a Christian, and a man. So many believe that each of those things is evil in itself. Yet, until they are shown what it means they will continue to believe these lies and begin to believe worse. In each of our lives, we are given an opportunity to do good or evil. The Knights of Columbus, united in Christ's love and commands, are called to move where each of us struggle to, together. As knights, we can do more good for each other and our world, one council at a time. Together and with the strength of our charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism we can love God and serve God. Bringing God's love to where it is most needed.

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