A snapshot of Notre Dame’s only fraternity

 

For many of the hungry pilgrims gracing Notre Dame’s campus on a football Saturday, the Knights of Columbus’ steak sandwiches have achieved a legendary status. Yet most fans’ knowledge of the Knights probably begins and ends with the delicious sandwich they consume on a beautiful fall day; the same can likely be said of many Notre Dame students.

What exactly are the Knights of Columbus and how do these gallant Notre Dame men fit into the organization?

Father Jonathan Kalisch, OP, is currently the Director of Chaplains and Spiritual Development at the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council, and is thus well suited to answer this question. He explains that the Knights of Columbus is fundamentally a “Catholic fraternal organization whose primary mission is to provide a way for good men to become great Catholics through charitable works and faith-formation.”

A glance at the statistics from the Supreme Knight’s Address at the Supreme Convention demonstrates the truth of these words. The Knights of Columbus boasts over 14,500 councils and almost 2 million members worldwide. In the 2012-2013 fraternal year, the Knights of Columbus donated almost $170 million and over 70 million volunteer hours.

Blessed Pope John Paul II once referred to the Knights of Columbus as the “strong right arm of the church.” When most think of the Knights, however, they likely imagine a group of mostly elderly men with funny hats, and many probably do not think of college-aged Knights.

There are approximately 125 active college councils in the United States, and the Notre Dame council is unique among them. Notre Dame Council #1477 was founded in 1910, making it the oldest college council in the entire Order. Students began pushing for a council in 1905, but it took over five years to convince the administration that such an organization would succeed at Notre Dame.

Over the years, the Knights have contributed far more to campus than delicious steaks. They raise funds and serve countless hours for many worthy organizations, as well. For example, before the Notre Dame Boxing Club was organized, the Knights coordinated Bengal Bouts.

Bobby Rauch, a past Grand Knight of Notre Dame’s Council and current college council coordinator with the Supreme office, shared the following observation: “While many groups at Notre Dame can be confined to a major, special interest, or residence hall, the Knights of Columbus has the ability to transcend all of these and bring together the student body in faith and service.”

Dennis Malloy, a current student in the law school and 2011 graduate of Notre Dame, echoed this sentiment, sharing, “It isn’t that the Knights offer something distinct from any other resources on campus, but rather that we offer something deeper that can enrich the college experience of any Catholic man at Notre Dame, forming him in the principles of charity toward fellow man, unity with the Church, and fraternity with his brother knights … Our goal is to form 18-year-old men into Catholic gentleman by the time they graduate, ready to go out into the world, representing both Notre Dame and the Catholic Church.”

One aim of the Knights of Columbus, then, is to support the Catholic Church. As Pope Francis describes in Evangelii Gaudium, the “challenge is not so much atheism as the need to respond adequately to many people’s thirst for God.” The Knights believe they are called to be that response.

Father Kalisch told the Rover, “The Knights are not for the perfect, but we call men to conversion. Numerous are the stories (and men I know personally) who joined the Knights at a time when they were not really living out the faith. Through their involvement and the encouragement of their brother Knights, they were able to become good men, and Catholics desiring to live the joy of the Gospel.”

Any Notre Dame men who feel like they have strong, under-used right arms are invited to consider joining the Knights of Columbus. Their grills, and the Catholic Church, can use their help.

Colin Devine is a sophomore PLS and accounting major in Keough Hall. He was recently elected Grand Knight of the Notre Dame council and really enjoys writing limericks. Anyone who sends him a limerick about the Knights at cdevine1@nd.edu will receive a free steak sandwich.