<p>On October 2, 1881, a small group of men met in the<br />basement of a church in New Haven, Connecticut.<br />Gathered together by their priest, Father Michael J.<br />McGivney, they formed a fraternal society called the<br />Knights of Columbus in honor of the Catholic explorer<br />who had brought Christianity to the New World. Originally<br />conceived as a mutual aid society, the Knights of Columbus<br />was dedicated to helping Catholic families in need—<br />people in the community who, in many cases, were<br />excluded from unions and other organizations that provided<br />social services to so many others. The members also<br />vowed to be defenders of their nation and their faith.<br />Well over a century later, the Knights of Columbus is<br />going strong and, with over 1.8 million members, it has<br />extended its reach to embrace people around the world.<br />Through fascinating text and photographs, The Knights<br />of Columbus: An Illustrated History tells the story of an<br />organization that, through war and peace, has remained<br />“the strong right arm of the Church,” bringing help and<br />hope to people everywhere.</p>