Knights of Saint Peter Claver
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Knights of Peter Claver is a Catholic lay, fraternal organization made up primarily of black Catholics. The organization was founded by four Josephite priests (Reverend Joseph Van Baast, S.S.J., Reverend Conrad Rebesher, S.S.J., Reverend John H. Dorsey, S.S.J., Samuel J. Kelly), S.S.J. and three lay Catholic men (Frank Collins, Gilbert Faustina and Frank Trenier) in 1909 in Mobile, Alabama.The group is a member of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights. The Knights are named for Saint Peter Claver.
The organization has chapters in 39 U.S. states. In 2006, the Knights started a chapter in Colombia, the country of their patron's ministry. The organization has both male and female memberships. Councils of men ("Knights") and courts of women ("Ladies") form at the local level, numbering 330 units. Branches for boys ("Junior Knights") and junior courts for girls ("Junior Daughters"), whose ages range from 8-18 years, number over 100 units. There are also 4th degree assemblies for men and 4th degree ladies of grace for women.
[edit] Goals of the Knights
- To support a local pastor, parish and bishop.
- To become active, as a group, in a Knights respective community.
- To instill civic pride & action.
- To engage Knights in opportunities that will allow them to demonstrate their Catholicism.
- To allow for social interaction by creating gatherings that might foster a sense of community.
- To provide for the awarding of scholarships.
- To develop the character of youth.
- To provide social and intellectual stimulation for its members
