About Council 1344

The Nights of Columbus Napoleon Council 1344, was Chartered in 1908, just 28 years after the orders founding. The Napoleon council has grown to 130 members, and provided over $6,000.00 in charitable Disbursements, and over 3500 hours of volunteer service each year. All practicing Catholic men 18 years or older are invited to become part of this, the Largest Catholic Mens Fraternal Organization.

Our Fraternal Organization

The Nights of Columbus, was founded in 1882 by father Michael J. McGivney in New Haven Connecticut, to serve the Church, Community, and Family by the four giving principals of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. The vision of Fr. McGivney has grown to over $106 Billion of Life Insurance in Force. Each year The Knights of Columbus Charitable Donations worldwide total over $175 Million Dollars and over 75 million hours of service.

Father Michael J. McGivney

Founder

Father Michael J. McGivney, the 29-year-old assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., gathered a group of men at his parish on Oct. 2, 1881. He proposed establishing a lay organization of Catholic men.

To demonstrate their loyalty to their country as well as their faith, these men took Christopher Columbus — recognized as a Catholic and celebrated as the discoverer of America – as their patron. The Knights of Columbus elected officers in February 1882 and assumed corporate status on March 29.

Patrick Kelly

Current Supreme Knight

Patrick E. Kelly is the 14th Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, having taken office on March 1, 2021. He serves as the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization, with more than 2 million members internationally.

Mr. Kelly has had a distinguished career in the Knights of Columbus, the military and public service. His demonstrated track record of service to Church and country for more than 25 years serves him well in advancing the Knights’ mission of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.

BUILDING A BRIDGE BACK TO FAITH

Charity

Charity is at the heart of our work and our faith – and it always has been. For the Knights of Columbus, charity means supporting a virtually boundless variety of projects.

Faith

Our commitment to charitable service is just one of the many ways that we express our Catholic faith.
We’re here to build a daily bridge back to what matters, for our members and fellow Catholics.

Membership

With 2.1 million members around the world, we have been investing our time, effort and resources into our values of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism since 1882.

Insurance

The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal benefit society, which means we can provide financial security to members and their families, while turning premiums into charitable impact.

Asset Advisiors

Seeking to both grow your wealth and maintain your integrity? Consider our fully compliant investment portfolio.

Our Code of Ethics and Conduct

The Knights of Columbus’ principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism serve as the basis of the Order’s core values which are Integrity, Professionalism, Excellence, and Respect.

The Knights of Columbus

We are committed to being Faithful, Charitable, and Informative

The World Needs More Knights!

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