Sign In For Members Join Sign In
  • Donate

  • For Members

  • Who We Are

  • Our Mission Our Faith Our History Supreme Officers About Membership Video Library
  • What We Do

  • Charity Insurance Invest Donor-Advised Funds Programs Scholarships Churchloan
  • Get Involved

  • Join Donate Find a Council Store College Councils
  • News Hub

  • Latest News Columbia Knightline Faith Response Social Media Hub
  • Contact Us

  • Safe Environment Program

  • Careers

  • Who We Are

    What We Do

    Get Involved

    News Hub

    Honoring our Namesake

    Knights celebrate Columbus Day, knowing that our namesake gave voice to generations of Catholics, and helped pave a path for our diverse society.

    by Corporate Communications Staff 10/7/2020

    When founding the Knights of Columbus, Father Michael McGivney picked Christopher Columbus as a namesake for the organization because in a time when anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant feeling ran rampant, the American public embraced this famous explorer.

    Father McGivney and his Knights understood that using Columbus as their Order's namesake asserted an important truth: that not only was there a place for Catholics and immigrants within American society, but that such a person had already played a part in creating the young, free world around them.

    Times have changed and today there are those who contest Columbus’ achievements and protest the national holiday held in his honor. They look to make Columbus responsible for all the atrocities against Native Americans.

    In an article that appeared in RealClear Politics two years ago and also in recent testimony in New Haven, Conn., Patrick Mason (a member of the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors and also of the Osage Nation), said there is a danger that blaming Columbus misses the lessons of history and adds to the risk of repeating it.

    (GettyImages)

    “As American citizens, we need to remember our history, both the good and the bad, so that we are not set up to repeat history’s mistakes,” Mason said. “We need to take an honest look at all our fore-fathers. We need to give them the credit they deserve for what they did well, while being mindful of the things that they should have been done differently or better.”

    He added that the current debate brings with it the opportunity honor and acknowledge indigenous people while preserving the great explorer’s legacy.

    The Knights of Columbus continue to celebrate Columbus Day, knowing that the explorer gave voice and representation to generations of Catholics, and helped pave a path for the diverse society we have today.

    Want to learn more?
    Blaming Columbus Misses the Lessons of History
    A website about Columbus presented by the National Christopher Columbus Association
    K of C-Marist Poll: Do Americans Support Columbus Day? 
    Christopher Columbus and Fake History 
    Why Columbus Sailed: Interview with Stanford Professor Carol Delaney 

    PRESS RESOURCES

    PRESS

    Logos & Emblems

    Photo Library

    Press Releases

    Recent News

    Supreme Convention

    Video Library

    PUBLICATIONS

    Chaplain's Report

    Columbia

    Fraternal Leader Advisory

    Knightline

    Knights in Action

    Share your Knights in Action News

    FOR PRESS INQUIRIES

    Please contact the
    Knights of Columbus News Bureau
    news@kofc.org, 475-255-0097

    Knights of Columbus 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven, CT 06510 203-752-4000

    Connect With #KOFC

    Who We Are

    Our Mission Our Faith Our History Supreme Officers About Membership Video Library

    What We Do

    Charity Insurance Invest Programs Scholarships Churchloan

    Get Involved

    Join Donate Find a Council Store College Councils

    Member Resources

    Sign In For Members Safe Environment Program Brand Assets Benefits
    This website uses cookies, including third-party cookies, to optimize the functionality of the website and for website analysis and statistics. To find out more about cookies and how to change your cookie settings, please go to our Cookie Policy. Click Allow if you agree to the use of cookies.