Texas Knights of Columbus homepage
Finish Line Texas Knight Read the latest issue Meeting Registration Register for upcoming meetings and events State Per Capita Dues Pay State Per Capita Dues Online Mid-Year Meeting Presentations (English) Donate Now Donate to State Council Charities Faith In Action Resources
Texas Knights of Columbus
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our History
    • Message from the State Deputy
    • State Officers
    • Why Join the Knights of Columbus?
  • Star Guide
    • Membership
    • Star Councils Awards
    • Council Growth
    • Programs
    • Education, Training & Communications
    • Charities
    • Football Sweepstakes
    • Texas State Council Office
  • News
  • Blog
  • Events

Honoring our Namesake

Posted Oct 11, 2021
by Mark Johnson

Share        

When founding the Knights of Columbus, Father Michael McGivney picked Christopher Columbus as a namesake for the organization because in a time when anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant feeling ran rampant, the American public embraced this famous explorer.

Father McGivney and his Knights understood that using Columbus as their Order's namesake asserted an important truth: that not only was there a place for Catholics and immigrants within American society, but that such a person had already played a part in creating the young, free world around them.

Times have changed and today there are those who contest Columbus’ achievements and protest the national holiday held in his honor. They look to make Columbus responsible for all the atrocities against Native Americans.

In an article that appeared in RealClear Politics two years ago and also in recent testimony in New Haven, Conn., Patrick Mason (a member of the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors and also of the Osage Nation), said there is a danger that blaming Columbus misses the lessons of history and adds to the risk of repeating it.

Honoring Our Names and His Legacy
(GettyImages)

“As American citizens, we need to remember our history, both the good and the bad, so that we are not set up to repeat history’s mistakes,” Mason said. “We need to take an honest look at all our fore-fathers. We need to give them the credit they deserve for what they did well, while being mindful of the things that they should have been done differently or better.”

He added that the current debate brings with it the opportunity honor and acknowledge indigenous people while preserving the great explorer’s legacy.

The Knights of Columbus continue to celebrate Columbus Day, knowing that the explorer gave voice and representation to generations of Catholics, and helped pave a path for the diverse society we have today.

Want to learn more?
• Blaming Columbus Misses the Lessons of History
• A website about Columbus presented by the National Christopher Columbus Association
• K of C-Marist Poll: Do Americans Support Columbus Day?
• Christopher Columbus and Fake History
• Why Columbus Sailed: Interview with Stanford Professor Carol Delaney

 

Back to Blog

 

Recent Articles

  • Terry Logo transparent copy Register Here for the Texas State Council An... Posted Jan 25, 2023
  • WSMD D Rabey Affiliate Membership Initiative (AMI) Posted Jan 17, 2023
  • Terry Fruge Headshot web ++Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza - S... Posted Sep 20, 2022
  • Terry Fruge Headshot web Worthy Brothers of the Great State of Texas, Posted Sep 15, 2022
  • Discover Your Mission TSC church entry promo Become an Online Member for Free! Posted Jul 20, 2022

Monthly Archive

  • January 2023 2
  • September 2022 2
  • July 2022 1
  • June 2022 1
  • May 2022 1
  • January 2022 1
  • December 2021 1
  • November 2021 1
  • October 2021 1
  • August 2021 2
  • July 2021 2
  • June 2021 1
Finish Line Texas Knight Read the latest issue Meeting Registration Register for upcoming meetings and events State Per Capita Dues Pay State Per Capita Dues Online Mid-Year Meeting Presentations (English) Donate Now Donate to State Council Charities Faith In Action Resources

Subscribe to Email Updates

Want to be notified when news, blogs, events, and prayer requests are posted?

Something went wrong

Thanks for subscribing!

Texas Knights of Columbus Logo

TEXAS STATE COUNCIL OFFICE
6633 Highway 290 East, Suite 204
Austin, Texas 78723-1157
Phone (512) 442-1492
Fax (512) 326-1492

TKofC Facebook TKofC Twitter

Navigation

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Star Guide
  • News
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Downloads

Submissions

  • Submit a News Story
  • Submit an Announcement
  • Submit a Calendar Event
  • Submit a Prayer Request
  • Submit a Download

Flickr Photos

©2017-2023 Texas State Council. All content on this website is copyrighted and the sole property of Texas State Council and only can be used by the express permission of the Texas State Council. (512) 442-1492

  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our History
    • Message from the State Deputy
    • State Officers
    • Why Join the Knights of Columbus?
  • Star Guide
    • Membership
      • Membership Recruitment
      • All Councils Active
      • Membership Retention
      • Ceremonials
      • Online Membership
      • “Father Wants You” Letter
      • Membership Awards
    • Star Councils Awards
      • Awards
      • Star Tracker and Goals
      • Submission of Forms
    • Council Growth
    • Programs
      • Vocations
      • Culture of Life
      • Veterans Affairs
    • Education, Training & Communications
    • Charities
      • Charity Fundraising Team
      • The Charity Pin
      • Bishop Thomas J. Flanagan Fund - Grants for Retired Priests
      • Cardinal Medeiros Fund
      • Special Olympics
      • Emergency Response
      • Educational Grants
      • Wheelchair Program
    • Football Sweepstakes
    • Texas State Council Office
  • News
  • Blog
  • Events