About us
Learn more about our story
Who We Are
The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in 1882 by Blessed Michael J. McGivney in New Haven, Connecticut, the Order began with a simple mission: to support Catholic families through charity, mutual aid, and community service. Membership is open to practicing Catholic men who want to live their faith in a practical and meaningful way.
Today, the Knights include more than 1.9 million members in over 15,000 councils worldwide. The organization is known for its charitable outreach, its support of the Church, and its commitment to helping those in need. It also operates a respected insurance program that continues McGivney’s vision of caring for families.
Although the Knights of Columbus is a separate fraternal benefit society rather than a Vatican-governed institution, it works closely with Church leadership and supports a wide range of religious, educational, and charitable initiatives around the world.
Council 12214 is based at Cristo Rei Parish in Mississauga. Our council serves the parish community through faith, service, and fellowship, supporting parish events, charitable projects, and families throughout the local area.
Our Principles
The Knights of Columbus are guided by four core principles: Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. These pillars shape the organization’s mission and inspire the work we do, whether supporting our parish, helping families in need, or contributing to the wider community.
Charity
Unity
Fraternity
Patriotism
Unity
None of us is as good as all of us. Members of the Knights of Columbus all know that – together – we can accomplish far more than any of us could individually. So we stick together…we support one another. That doesn’t mean that we always agree or that there is never a difference of opinion. It does mean that – as a Knight of Columbus – you can count on the support and encouragement of your brother Knights as you work to make life better in your parish and community.
Fraternity
Blessed Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus, in large part, to provide assistance to the widows and children left behind when the family breadwinner died – often prematurely. The Order’s top-rated insurance program continues to do this today, as do the good works of individual Knights, who gave more than 75.6 million service hours in 2017, illustrating how Catholics serve each other in fraternity and mercy.
Patriotism
Members of the Knights of Columbus, be they Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, Cubans, Filipinos, Poles, or Dominicans, are patriotic citizens. We are proud of our devotion to God and country, and believe in standing up for both. Whether it’s in public or private, the Knights remind the world that Catholics support their nations and are amongst the greatest citizens.
What We Do
The Knights of Columbus focus on serving the Church, supporting families, and helping those in need. Councils work within their parishes and communities to organize charitable initiatives, assist with parish events, provide financial and spiritual support to families, and respond to local needs through volunteer service.
Our work ranges from fundraising for charitable causes, supporting parish ministries, and helping vulnerable individuals, to participating in community outreach, educational programs, and faith-based activities. Everything we do is rooted in service and guided by our Catholic values.