Please e-mail our Membership Director, Vito C. DiChiara ,
or call him at 302-229-1941 for a membership application or information.
Thank you for your interest in the Knights
of Columbus.
Membership in the
Knights of Columbus is open to practical Catholic men age 18 or older. A
practical Catholic is one who is in union with the Holy See, and practices the
precepts of the Catholic Church. Men interested in joining the Knights of
Columbus can do so at any time during the year. You do not have to wait
until a membership drive is held or until someone invites you to join.
You can take the initiative to join. The first step in becoming a Knight
is to contact a current Knight or membership director and complete a membership
application. Application for membership should be made through the
council in the community nearest your place of residence. After your application
is reviewed and approved by the council and admissions committee, you will
attend a first degree exemplification. Following the first degree, you
are considered a council member and are welcome to attend regularly held
council meetings and events.
Prospective
knights without a permanent domicile, such as men on temporary assignment in
the armed forces, may make application through their hometown council or at the
nearest military base council.
All priests and
religious brothers who apply for membership and participate in the ceremonials
become honorary life members of the Order and are exempt from payment of annual
dues.
There is a modest
initiation fee and annual dues set by subordinate councils under regulations
established by the Supreme Council. For
Affordable KofC
insurance is available to all qualifying members, and is an important advantage
of membership. Many knights choose to take advantage of the KofC
insurance program to provide financial security for their family. Life
insurance, annuities, long-term care and other insurance products are available
to knights and their families.
The Knights of
Columbus is a diverse group made up of men from every walk of life and a wide
range of ages. It is a united organization dedicated to charity, unity,
fraternity, and patriotism. We also stand in solidarity with our
Priests. The Knights of Columbus is composed of men who give unselfishly
of their time and talents in service of God and country. Membership
in the Knights of Columbus provides the opportunity for fellowship and
association with other practical Catholics with the
same beliefs, who recognize the same duty to God, family and neighbor.
Knights stand side by side in defense of those beliefs. Programs are
supported that address local needs and are aligned with the council objectives
as set by the council members. As a united body, the Knights are able to
accomplish tasks and objectives together that can not be accomplished by
individuals.
The Knights of
Columbus has a proud heritage. The qualified Catholic man can share in
that heritage, and build an even greater future by affiliating himself with
this strong, dedicated organization.
There are four
degrees in the Knights of Columbus. They can be thought of as lessons in
charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. They are meant to inspire
knights to grow in their Catholic faith, and to think about these principles as
they progress on their journey as knights. The first degree is about
charity and is required before a candidate can become a member. The
second degree is about unity. The third degree is about fraternity and is
required before a knight is considered a full knight with the privilege to
become an officer, attend state meetings or attend supreme conventions.
First degree members are encouraged to progress through the second and third
degrees of unity and fraternity, respectively.
The fourth degree
is about patriotism, and is required before a knight can join an assembly or
participate in the color corps. The primary purpose of the fourth degree
is to foster the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship.
The first fourth degree exemplification was held on