WSC History - Knights of Columbus Washington State Council

THE ORIGIN OF THE ORDERThe story of the origin of the Order is known in a general way by all Knights of Columbus. Theprincipal facts concerning the founding of the Order are contained in many pamphlets, books and otheraccounts.Members have heard parts of the story at their initiation and occasionally at banquets.Considering the vagaries of human memory, especially the flurry of events, facts and impressions at one's3rd Degree, it might be well to review again the early days of the Order. This would be for the benefit ofthose entering the Order in increasing numbers; for the benefit of those whose memory might be hazyand for the information of those outside the Order who might be interested.Father Michael J. McGivney is revered as the founder of the Knights of Columbus. As a youngpriest attached as a curate to St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut he displayed outstandingabilities. His pastor saw in him great promise as a man who would do great things for his Church. Hewas also respected by the parishioners. No one thought, at the time, that his influence would extend faroutside his own parish or diocese. They could not foresee that his name and influence would becomeknown in every parish and diocese in this country and several foreign countries as well.It is clear that Father McGivney was deeply concerned about the conditions of the Irishimmigrants who formed a large part of his parish. They had cometo the New England states to find the opportunities not available tothem in Ireland. Most were uneducated and could take only menialjobs. Those who were long established in the area, some withroots back to the Pilgrims and reared in the traditions ofPuritanism, looked upon the Irish as a lower class people, withoutculture or background and capable of doing only rough manuallabor. This resulted in discrimination against the Irish and FatherMcGivney was determined to do something about it. He sought toinstitute an organization on behalf of the Irish. This accounts forthe fact that, in the beginning, almost all of the Knights ofColumbus were of Irish descent.Father McGivney often spoke to his people informally,talking with them about their economic and social problems andtrying to improve these conditions. As a result of all of this, it isrecorded that on the evening of January 16, 1882 a number of theprincipal parishioners met at St. Mary's to organize some means bywhich the religious, social and economic welfare of the parishioners could be improved. Among thoseattending were James T. McMullen, Daniel Colwell, John Tracy, Michael Tracy, William M. Geary,Cornelius T. Driscoll, John T. Kerrigan, James T. Mahon and William H. Sellwood. These men of faithand action became closely identified with the work of Father McGivney and some of them figureprominently in the early history of the Order. Indeed, James T. McMullen was the first Supreme Knight.At this meeting various past and existing organizations that might be suitable for their purposeswere investigated. It was decided to propose that the Irish form a Sodality of St. Mary's parish. FatherMcGivney presented his plan to Bishop Lawrence T. McMahon, also Irish, who rejected it completely.Father McGivney was not to be deterred so additional meetings were held. During these meetings it wasrecalled that there had been a Catholic society, the Sarsfield Guards - a part of the Connecticut NationalGuard consisting entirely of Catholic men. Bigots in the state prevailed upon the governor to disband theorganization. Other groups were investigated and found to be unsatisfactory. The most promising ofthese was the Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters. Father McGivney made a trip to Boston toinvestigate the feasibility of instituting a branch of this successful Order in New Haven. He had to reportback that, while the Order was eager to help, the Catholic Order of Foresters did not want a branchoutside of their own state.