Knights of Columbus

[CatholicCid]

I was wondering to any Knights or anyone who might have a general knowledge of them:

Why are there initiations and oaths kept secret?

I know the KofC is a great organization, but the secrecy to me seems to cause more problem then it's worth.

[littleflower+JMJ]

you probabaly want to try the search engine because theres been a thread about this before i think

[tojo]

I'm sure there has been such threads before yes, I seem to remember posting to one, and I've only been here since September, so it isn't that old....

[littleflower+JMJ]

[quote name='tomasio127' date='Nov 25 2005, 11:20 PM']I'm sure there has been such threads before yes, I seem to remember posting to one, and I've only been here since September, so it isn't that old....
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[url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=40222&hl="]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=40222&hl=[/url]

[CatholicCid]

I read over it all and found nothing really sufficient... Just they are kept secret because they can...

And hearing that the minutes are secret probably mean I cannot go and sit in at a meeting...

Was just wondering to get some information on it... Honestly must say I've never seen anything really from the KoC in my area except occasional Mass days with them there and hearing of Fish Fries

Edited November 26, 2005 by CatholicCid

[littleflower+JMJ]

do you have Knights of Columbus at your parish? I"m sure there would be someone to talk with you and answer all your questions since they are in it, or perhaps give you more information

as for the secrecy, I have seen no problems over it through my experience

[CatholicCid]

If I traveled to my old Parish, I could find someone to talk to, but that'll have to wait due to winter...

Otherwise, I'm just confused as to why any secrecy... They're website doesn't really get into it.

[kaidoh]

Yes there are many KofC.
Am a Columbian Squires from Circle # 2040 about Dec. 12, ill be a Squire for 1 year.
As a KofC I join Council #759 Nov. 2 and its fun being both KofC, Squire and Highschool Youth.
Your understand why the initiations are kept secret when you join. Ill tell you this CHARITY * UNITY * FRATERNITY * PATRIOTISM again your understand when you join.

[CatholicCid]

The thing is, I see no reason to join... And you can't attend meetings beforehand so all I know is that they do fish fries occasionally...

Could you maybe list a few other things they usually do?

[kaidoh]

heres some things
Fish Frys, Golf Tournament, Presbyterian Night Shelter Children's Center, Beautiful Feet Evening Meal.
mainly its a good place to meet other Catholic men, where you can be friends for life.
BTW what council are you thinkin of goin into

[Theoketos]

I think that you should join. [b]I bought life insurance from them for my unborn Child.[/b]

Also, in our oath there is a clause that says our duties as knights come after our duty to God and to our Country.

Further, it is not really secret, because every one can join. All you have to do is worship God in the best way...ie be a practicing Catholic. (If you are female you can join the woman's auxiliary or daughters of Isabella.)

Seriously. The best Catholic Fellowship this side of Benedictine College or Stubeville is in the Knights Hall.

And again

As to why secrecy, so that the cermony has the sweet affect that it does.

To all of those who have the right to the info it is accesiable.

[b]Priests for instance simply have to observe the ceremonies to become members.[/b]

For more info you should read the latest info from the Columbia Magazine. But for example, the college council I used to belong to fully funded a woman's crisis center. We also helped to close down an abortion clinic by peaceful protesting. We also raise awareness of true Marian Devotion. We are frist her knights.

That tells you everything.

[Theoketos]

Honestly nothing is really kept secret. Seriously.


Originally, meetings were secret because of persecution by the Masons. Seriously.

Now, because the knights do things so radical in the world, it is again good to keep minutes locked in a file cabinant. I think it goes along the lines of only telling your spiritual director about penances.


By the way, we need your help protecting the words "Under God" in the pledge. BTW again, We put them there is first place.

[CatholicCid]

I seem to have read that before :

Anyway, I think I'll look more into the easy way of joining: Priests for instance simply have to observe the ceremonies to become members.


Though, since the counsel kinda gives out location, I'll exclude it

[quote]We also raise awareness of true Marian Devotion. We are frist her knights.[/quote]
I always heard your were always first Knights to the protection Eucharist, which caught my interest

Though, "Honestly nothing is really kept secret. Seriously." seems contradictory.
I'm sure everything that is kept secret is just information, but in these current times I see little reason a group would do so.

Edited November 26, 2005 by CatholicCid

[littleflower+JMJ]

the Knights of Columbus are very awesome and i have to echo Theo's post.

They have shown throughout time their faithfullness and really no reason to doubt them

They also have an awesome job of protecting the eucharist! :

They stand for so much, and represent the Church so very well.

[littleflower+JMJ]

[quote name='CatholicCid' date='Nov 26 2005, 12:39 AM']Though, "Honestly nothing is really kept secret. Seriously." seems contradictory.
I'm sure everything that is kept secret is just  information, but in these current times I see little reason a group would do so.
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its probably because thats just the way they do it. whatever they think is best and how it is best arranged it how its going to operate. i dont know the history of the KOC but i'm sure they have their reasons of running it so...not to "hide" anything.

if theres no one around to talk to, im sure you can easily ask a priest as well.

their good fruit is pretty awesome to see in the Church, and I know many ppl who are grateful for them.

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

im definatley joing the KofC when i turn 18.

[Theoketos]

I think the problem is in with terms, even then I still argue that the Fraternity is not secret.

I would say that the K of C is not secret by the following first definition: Kept hidden from knowledge or view; concealed.

Why because, nothing is really kept hidden. No one is excluded from our ranks. What we stand for has been spelled out already. And no secret is really kept because the initiation is a universal initiation. Just as the Church is a universal invitation, but full communion is only for those who have gone through the initiation

Now with the fifth definition I would say that there is a secret.: Known or shared only by the initiated.

However it is only our rites of initiation that are secret, nothing else, not our order or her works, for they are the works of the Church. And really our "rites" are not really that secret. If you were to ask me about what they are in different terms other than what goes on in the Knights hall during the first degree I would tell with out a problem. I imagince the conversation would start with, "what virtues does a lay family man need to exhibit so that society functions?" And if our rites were not "secret" or unknown to those who have not gone through them, then I doubt they would be effective at all.