Happy birthday, brother Knights!

March 29, 2007 — On this day in history, the Connecticut legislature granted a charter to the Knights of Columbus. The year was 1882.

The recent advent of the locomotive, electricity, the telegraph, and daily newspapers had changed life in so many ways. It was an incredible time, and New Haven, Conn., was on the cutting edge. Our first brother Knights must have imagined that they were living in the Golden Age of Communication.

James Mullen, John Kerrigan, Cornelius Driscoll, Bill Geary, Dan Colwell, and a bunch of other “regular guys” would get together with the tireless Fr. McGivney for their monthly meetings in the eerily lighted basement of the still-new St. Mary’s Church. (The polished wood floor reflected the harsh light from Thomas Edison’s recent incandescent invention.)

Attendance was great — maybe because someone always gave a reminder telephone call to each of the Knights who had one of those newfangled contraptions. (What an amazing communications tool that was turning out to be! Make a few calls, and practically the entire Order shows up.)

They were young — mostly in their thirties — and were involved in their parish and in their community. They were well-grounded in faith and tradition, but they also had ambition and vision. Our founders took advantage of all the modern technologies that New Haven offered them. These men were relevant and “with it” — and they established an enduring Catholic society that they would recognize still today.

We can’t imagine what the Church and the world will need from us in another century and a quarter. But we know that, in the year 2132, while observing our 250th anniversary, the Knights of Columbus will also be observing our traditions and will still be building on our vision.

How is it that our fraternity continues to stand the test of time?

Tradition and vision. We Knights of Columbus recognize that some things never change and that other things always change.

— Editor