Joining the Knights of Columbus?

[MarshallJackson]

I’m currently in RCIA, and during my research I recently found out about the Knights of Columbus. I greatly enjoy learning more and more in the Catholic faith, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Would the Knights of Columbus be a good path for me to choose? Being in RCIA currently, what would I have to do in order to join? Any information would be great!

 

[YoungTradCath]

Assuming you’re a man (I think you are), you need to contact whoever is in charge of KofC in your parish. Your priest is most likely the chaplain and he can point you in the right direction. Just ask him.

I think KofC is an excellent way for a man to become integrated in the parish.

 

[Quaesitor]

I was baptized at the Easter Vigil and then was initiated into the Knights two weeks later. I think the Knights are awesome. The guys in my council are friendly and love to do service. One thing I love about the Knights is it entails many different ministries all rolled into one. So it gives you a lot to choose from.

One thing, you have to be baptized to “join” the Knights, but if you’re not baptized you can attend their service projects and help out until such time as you are baptized and can be initiated. I started helping out with them back in December. I helped unload the food bank truck, pancake breakfasts, coffee hours, pro-life events, lenten meager meals all while waiting to join.

 

[Tighty_Whitey]

I am nearly 100% sure that you have to be Catholic first so you’ll likely have to wait for now.

 

[wllmjoseph]

My name is Will Murphy and I am a Fourth Degree Knight. In order to join the Knights of Columbus you need to be a practicing Catholic. You will have to wait until you are received into th Church. I strongly encourage you to read the bood “Parish Priest” written by Douglas Brinkley and Julie Fenster. The wonderful book is on the life of our founder Venerable Fr. Michael J. McGiveney.
I love being a Knight of Columbus. It is through the Knights of Columbus that I am able to serve my Lord, Church and Community. I especially love the fellowship that I have experienced with my Brother Knights. I strongly recommend joining the Knights once you have been received into the Church.

 

[SaintFrancis333]

I’m currently in RCIA, and during my research I recently found out about the Knights of Columbus. I greatly enjoy learning more and more in the Catholic faith, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Would the Knights of Columbus be a good path for me to choose? Being in RCIA currently, what would I have to do in order to join? Any information would be great!

Firstly, welcome home! Secondly, take your time. There are near endless possibilities in the Catholic Church for your spirituality to grow and for you to better imitate Christ and His Saints. Let the Holy Spirit continue to guide you. Study the many different apostolates, secular orders, etc. You will find something you will enjoy. Take your time, pray about it, and discern. God Bless.

 

[CarolNoel]

Great idea. Go for it. They will love having you.

 

[Chatter163]

Another fourth degree Knight here. Once you have been received into the Church, this will be a wonderful fraternal organization for you to join. It has made a huge difference in my life, and I was very active in the Church before becoming a Knight. Please do join!

http://www.stdominic.ptdiocese.org/images/k_of_c_logo_plaque.jpg

 

[just_came_back]

Joined the Knights in November of 2000 and got my 2nd and 3rd degrees in the same day in June 2002. Never have went for my 4th degree, but hope to in 2014. It is a great way to serve God and your fellow man but be ready to be asked a lot of questions when you wear the yellow apron for the “tootsie roll drive”. I’ve had people get MAD at me and fellow Knights and all we’re doing is raising money for mentally handicapped people.

 

[commenter]

Firstly, welcome home! Secondly, take your time. There are near endless possibilities in the Catholic Church for your spirituality to grow and for you to better imitate Christ and His Saints. Let the Holy Spirit continue to guide you. Study the many different apostolates, secular orders, etc. You will find something you will enjoy. Take your time, pray about it, and discern. God Bless.

The above is good advice. That said, I can say I am glad I joined the K of C a decade ago. I had been active in the Church for decades prior. I have also participated in other apostolates before and since joining the K of C, as well as my parish. The K of C has steadfastly stood with the Church, and Christ, in good times and bad, popular and unpopular. I am proud to be part of that. I am also part of other Catholic activities, as are my brother knights.
Again, welcome to the Church!

 

[Gavroche]

It’s been suggested to me that I join the K of C but to be honest I’m quite wary. What is the secrecy all about? Is true that members have to take some sort of pledge of secrecy to join? If so, why is this?

 

[Baelor]

Another question: I hate any sort of pomp and ceremony besides the liturgy, and I also cannot stand any sort of in-group mentality. Would joining the KofC make sense for me?

 

[larsont7]

It’s been suggested to me that I join the K of C but to be honest I’m quite wary. What is the secrecy all about? Is true that members have to take some sort of pledge of secrecy to join? If so, why is this?

The secrecy goes only so far as to the initiation ceremonies. There are no secret oaths or pledges you have to take, other than a promise of being a faithful Catholic gentleman. The ceremonies are kept secret to retain the beauty of them. The KofC is NOT a secret society and it is NOT associated with freemasonry or other crazy cults.

 

[larsont7]

Another question: I hate any sort of pomp and ceremony besides the liturgy, and I also cannot stand any sort of in-group mentality. Would joining the KofC make sense for me?

In the councils I have been a part of, there is very little pomp or ceremony involved with the Knights. The meetings follow Robert’s Rules of Order parliamentary procedure, though that is just to keep the meetings moving along. The Knights main mission is support the Catholic Church, the local parish, the diocese, and the community.

If you become a 4th Degree Knight, there is some pomp that goes with it (they wear the tuxedo, hat, and sword and various functions), but most Knights are 1st through 3rd Degrees, so no uniform is necessary.

 

[floresco]

I’m currently in RCIA, and during my research I recently found out about the Knights of Columbus. I greatly enjoy learning more and more in the Catholic faith, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Would the Knights of Columbus be a good path for me to choose? Being in RCIA currently, what would I have to do in order to join? Any information would be great!

My husband is a Knight and I think it is a great service organization. I cannot tell from your post if your goal is learning about the Catholic faith. If so, you will probably need to do something else as well as join the Knights. They do not do much study/instruction. They do put out a magazine for members that has some informative articles in it.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Joined the Knights in November of 2000 and got my 2nd and 3rd degrees in the same day in June 2002. .

Same here, 3 in one day.

I would like to see the degrees as something to work for, something that is earned and studied for, then celebrated with intitiation.

 

[Fairwinds]

Another question: I hate any sort of pomp and ceremony besides the liturgy, and I also cannot stand any sort of in-group mentality. Would joining the KofC make sense for me?

the initiation stuff is childish, and once in a while someone will be really offended. but other than that, there’s no in-group mentality. the business meetings are roberts-rules formal, and the officer installation is pomp and ceremony, but they’re just catholic men working for the parish.