Trivia about the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic, family fraternal service organization. It was founded on March 29, 1882 in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. In its Charter, the Order’s purposes are specified, namely: a) of rendering pecuniary aid to its members; b) of rendering mutual aid and assistance to its sick, disabled and needy members and their families; c) of promoting social and intellectual intercourse among its members and their families; and d) of promoting and conducting educational, charitable, religious social welfare, war relief and welfare, and public relief work.

On April 23, 1905, the first council (Manila Council 1000) was established in the Philippines by Americans who came here at the turn of the century.

The emblem of the Order of the Knights of Columbus shows a shield mounted upon the Formee Cross which is the representation of a traditionally artistic design of the Cross of Christ. This then represents the Catholic Spirit of the Order. Mounted on the shield are three objects: a mace standing. vertically, and, crossed behind it, an anchor and short sword. The mace is the symbol of authority which must exist in an efficiently operating organization.

The anchor is the mariner’s symbol for Columbus, the patron of the Order, while the short sword or dagger was the weapon of the Knight when engaged in an errand of mercy. Thus, the shield expresses Catholic Knighthood in an organized merciful action, and with the letter K of C, it proclaims this specific form of activity. Fr. George J. Willmann, S. J. was responsible for the growth of the Order in the Philippines and founded the fraternal benefits program of the Order in 1958:

To commemorate the 100 Years of the K of C in the Philippines, the present leadership has adopted the theme: “Eucharist in the Knights of Columbus supporting Family, Clergy and Country.”