Program Manual

Columbian Squires Program

Larry Prather phone:(254) 698-6217 email: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

While the Knights do sponsor other organizations such as the Boy Scouts, baseball teams and other worthy groups, the Columbian Squires is the Official Youth Organization of the Knights of Columbus. The Squires are organized in a Circle to acquire the skills required to become a Catholic Gentleman. These skills are learned through the teaching of leadership skills, and by being active participants with the Sponsoring Assembly Sir Knights and/or Council Knights, in conducting Parish activities for the Church, family, community, service, social events, sporting events and membership recruitment. They are truly Squires, as in the days of old, in training to become Knights (Catholic Gentlemen). The main tool used to form these young men is the “SQUIRE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM”. This program is the model for being a Squire and is the primary method used to develop Squires. It encompasses all the aforementioned activities.

To start a Circle requires a large commitment from the sponsoring Assembly and/or Council. The commitment is time, money and dedication from the Knights. It is a must for the Faithful Navigator and/or the Grand Knight to select Knights who will have this commitment to our youth. The selected Knights MUST submit Form 4348 “Youth Leader” to Supreme which conducts a background check and approves each Knight to work with the Squires. This approval is for 3 years and MUST BE RENEWED.

It is recommended that your Financial Secretary order Kit # 1 (Columbian Squires Inquiry Kit Order Form – Form 2935) from Supreme. Kit # 2 will come later with books and supplies. These materials need to be read over before choosing to start a Circle. It is also a great idea to contact your Priest and go over the materials with him and also get his input.

Some of these forms can be printed on-line at the Supreme Council website: www.kofc.org/un/eb/en/officers/forms/circle.html

One of the best ways to start a Circle is to get involved with helping train and schedule Altar Servers. These young men can form a wonderful nucleus for the Circle, plus you will have a well trained group of Altar Servers for the Priest.
In Texas, we have over 700 Councils but we only have 106 Active Circles. Sadly, we have 186 Dissolved Circles that can be reinstituted by their local Council. With this in mind, we ask that the District Deputies please contact and encourage Assemblies and/or Councils to sponsor restarting an inactive Squire Circle or sponsoring a new Squire Circle. The membership benefits for the Knights are indeed remarkable. One Circle has in 5 years had all of its Squires, who completed the Squire Program by turning 18 years of age, go on to become insured Knights. That same circle has had 18 dads of Squires become Knights.

It is also very valuable to have your local Circle become involved with the State Circle, which has 2 Texas State Squire Conventions, usually in January and June of each year. This is very exciting for all attendees who learn about other Squires and Circles and discuss and implement new activities.
If you have any questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to talk to the State Chairman.

ESTO DIGNUS – BE WORTHY !