How to Lead Cor

Welcome! Thank you for your leadership.

Your “yes” to Cor places you at the heart of a powerful movement. You are answering a call that echoes the very heartbeat of our founder. 

We’re here to support you. Let’s continue Blessed Michael McGivney’s legacy of evangelization together.  

Cor Mission:
To help focus men on Jesus by building Christ-centered brotherhood through a flexible framework of prayer, formation and fraternity.  

Cor Vision:
To aid in transforming the hearts of men through Christ-centered brotherhood. Rooted in prayer, formation and fraternity, men will be sharpened in faith and virtue as they cultivate authentic friendships with Christ and each other. 

We envision a future where Cor continuously helps sustain these men to lead their families, strengthen their parish communities and courageously evangelize the world as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ.

Starting Cor Training Videos

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

– Proverbs 27:17

Startup Resources

Cor Startup Resources

Cor in 3 Steps Brochure How to start Cor.
Working with Pastor Tips on working with your pastor.
Cor Startup Guide A complete overview of Cor.
Startup Checklist To keep track of all Cor action items.
Reference Guide An in-depth review, its structure and function.
Cor Formation Content Guide Easy guide to select formation content for Cor.
Cor FAQ Frequently Asked Questions about Cor.
Waterbury Evening Democrat A 1900 article about Blessed Father McGivney.

Cor Parish Resources

Why Cor Brochure To explain and promote Cor.
Parish Invitation Script To announce Cor and invite men.
Communication Strategy Plan for successful promotion
Bulletin Announcement Sample for use at your parish.
Interest Survey Copy to create an interest survey.
How to run Cor See general structure.

Structure

Key Elements of Cor

Cor consists of three key elements which must be present for every gathering: prayer, formation, and fraternity. The word 'cor' is Latin for heart and the root of the word courage. Prayer, Formation, and Fraternity all begin with the heart and direct the heart in relationship to God and each other. These three elements build and strengthen each other and help provide consistency.

Cor Structure

Each Cor gathering lasts approximately 60-90 minutes and includes elements of prayer, formation and fraternity. In consultation with the pastor, local leadership picks the content and types of prayers that will best build community and strengthen those that participate. Each session can place more emphasis on one element and still include the other two.
See a sample structure for different types of content emphasis

Sample Timeline, 3-6 Months

We recommend that your council host Cor twice monthly (i.e., 1st and 3rd Saturday); however, accommodate what is best for men of the parish. The structure of each session should be simple; Cor does not follow a formal curriculum but allows structured content. See a sample schedule and content for the first six months.

Content

Prayer and Formation Content

A head and shoulder picture of a all white Father McGivney Statue.

Blessed Michael McGivney Cor Session Guide

Get Session Guide

Hammer coming down on hot metal over anvil with sparks flying.

Into the Breach

A video series that helps Catholic men and families lead lives of faith and virtue in today’s world.

Go To Series

A painting depicting a close up of Jesus Christ.

Men of the Word

Become Men of the Word and discover the Good News that Jesus Christ offers to each of us.

Learn More

With A Fathers Heart is pictured with a statue of Joseph and Jesus.

Patris Corde

Learn More

Rosary

Promote devotion to the rosary in our families and parishes.

Go to Rosary Program

Priest and alter servers kneel facing a monstrance at an alter in church.

Holy Hour

Organize a regular Holy Hour or host a Eucharistic Procession.

Organize a Holy Hour

A close up of a man's hand holding a bible.

Lectivo Divina

A a prayerful approach to reading the Bible.

Learn More

A relic and portrait of Father McGivney are displayed in the sanctuary of St. Mary’s Church

Supreme Chaplain’s Monthly Challenge

Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus – selects a brief passage from the Gospel reading of one of the Sunday Masses of the month.

Learn about the Monthly Challenge

A Knight holding the Booklet “Into the Breach” a part of the Building the Domestic Church initiative.

CIS Booklets

Sean Pott, senior director of evangelization and education appears on Wake Up! to talk about Cor and how to get started.

Booklets and Devotionals

A photo of the Vivat Jesus Spiritual Planner open to an image of Jesus with another planner closed laying on top.

CIS Shop

Order CIS materials for your work in prison outreach, RCIA, parish ministry, or other works of evangelization,

Shop Catholic Info

Leadership

State Leadership

Each year, we encourage State Deputies to appoint a State Evangelization and Faith Formation (EFF) Director. The director is encouraged to build out a team (2-3 men) to help him oversee and support councils throughout the state as they implement Cor.

State EFF Director role description State EFF Team Photo Brochure

Council Leadership

The Council Evangelization and Faith Formation Director and his team are responsible for the planning and execution of Cor at their respective parish. The Grand Knight appoints the EFF Director, who works closely with council leadership and the pastor.

Council leadership roles and responsibilities

Cor Central Newsletter

Cor Central, the Evangelization & Faith Formation (EFF) quarterly newsletter, is designed to provide practical tips and valuable resources to successfully implement and sustain Cor at parishes

January 2026 Cor Central October 2025 Cor Central July 2025 Cor Central April 2025 Cor Central January 2025 Cor Central

Training

Webinar & Online Events

Join the staff of the Supreme Council’s Evangelization and Faith Formation Team as we discuss Cor, council and parish implementation, best practices, planning meetings and events, and much more!

See all webinars and online events here.

All Webinars & Online Events

Cor Training Videos

Want to learn more about how to implement Cor?

Watch Our Training Videos Here

The world needs courageous men to witness to Jesus Christ.  

Cor exists to form and strengthen Catholic men in faith and virtue as missionary disciples by drawing them into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer, formation, and fraternity.

Let’s Get Started

How to Get Started

This general structure is meant to provide a simple framework for the leadership to fill with appropriate content according to what is previously planned and shared with the pastor/chaplain.

Get Started

Cor Structure

Examples demonstrating how one key element, i.e., prayer or formation, can be more heavily emphasized and still incorporate all three elements together.

Learn More

EFF Director Submission Form

Provide contact information for your council's appointed Evangelization and Faith Formation (EFF) director for the upcoming fraternal year (2025/2026).

Go To Director Form

Cor Quarterly Form

Sharing your progress is valuable to understanding the impact of Cor and will directly impact our efforts across the Order.

Share Your Progress

Cor Testimonials Form

Your testimony may be a story of your own or on behalf of someone else or the whole group. Your testimony may include success stories and/or struggles that you have faced through the development and running of Cor.

Share Your Story

How to Lead Cor

Welcome! Thank you for your leadership.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

Prayer and Formation Content

Cor Startup Resources

Cor Parish Resources

Key Elements of Cor

Cor Structure

Sample Timeline, 3-6 Months

Prayer and Formation Content

Blessed Michael McGivney Cor Session Guide

Into the Breach

Men of the Word

Patris Corde

Rosary

Holy Hour

Lectivo Divina

Supreme Chaplain’s Monthly Challenge

CIS Booklets

CIS Shop

State Leadership

Council Leadership

Cor Central Newsletter

Webinar & Online Events

Cor Training Videos

The world needs courageous men to witness to Jesus Christ. Cor exists to form and strengthen Catholic men in faith and virtue as missionary disciples by drawing them into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer, formation, and fraternity.

Let’s Get Started

How to Get Started

Cor Structure

EFF Director Submission Form

Cor Quarterly Form

Cor Testimonials Form

The world needs courageous men to witness to Jesus Christ.  

Cor exists to form and strengthen Catholic men in faith and virtue as missionary disciples by drawing them into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer, formation, and fraternity.