Knights of Peter Claver facts for kids

The Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary is a Catholic group that helps others. It's like a club for people who want to serve their community and church.

It was started in 1909 in Mobile, Alabama. It is the oldest and largest organization led by Black Catholic people.

History of the Knights

How the Group Started

The Knights of Peter Claver began in 1909. It was founded by four priests from the Josephite order and three Black men. These founders included Father Conrad Friedrich Rebesher and laymen Gilbert Faustina, Francis Xavier "Frank" Collins, and Francis "Frank" Trenier. Their local bishop, Edward Patrick Allen, was even there for their first ceremony!

The group was created because other Catholic groups, like the Knights of Columbus, did not always allow Black members. This showed a clear need for a Catholic group where Black people could join and serve.

Early Years of the Order

In 1917, a special group called the Sublimed and Meritorious Fourth Degree was formed. Knights can join this group after being active members for two years. They must show they are dedicated to the Church and their community.

A program for younger members, called Junior Knights, also started early on. This division was officially recognized in 1935.

In 1922, the Ladies Auxiliary was created for African American Catholic women. This group became an official part of the Order in 1926. The Junior Daughters division for young girls was officially recognized in 1930.

Facing Challenges

In the 1920s, another group called the Federated Colored Catholics disagreed with the Knights of Peter Claver. They felt the Knights were not speaking out enough against unfair treatment and separation based on race.

This disagreement led to some difficulties. However, the Knights of Peter Claver began to openly oppose unfair treatment starting in 1939.

Modern Times

Today, the Knights of Peter Claver help many organizations. They support groups like the NAACP and the United Negro College Fund. They also help Catholic schools and universities like Xavier University of Louisiana.

They have also supported the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation. The group works with other Catholic organizations too.

In 2006, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops gave them money for a project. This project teaches people in poorer areas about environmental health dangers. The Knights also help with disaster relief. They support many social justice causes. For example, their youth divisions are working to get clean water and good housing for people in need. They also work to fight diabetes in the Black community.

In 2018, the Knights started their first college groups at Xavier University of Louisiana.

What's in a Name?

The organization is named after Saint Peter Claver. He was a Jesuit priest from Spain in the 1600s. He helped enslaved Africans in Cartagena, Colombia. It is said that he helped more than 300,000 of them learn about Catholicism.

How the Group is Organized

The Knights of Peter Claver are active in the United States and South America. They have over 400 groups called Councils (for men) and Courts (for women). These groups are found across the U.S. and on San Andres Island in Colombia.

For young people aged 7 to 18, there are Junior Councils for boys and Junior Courts for girls.

Members of the Fourth Degree Knights are called "Sir Knight." Members of the Fourth Degree Ladies of Grace are called "Gracious Lady."

The Knights are also part of a worldwide group called the International Alliance of Catholic Knights.

What They Do

Their Main Goals

The Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary work to:

• Support their local church leaders and parishes.
• Be active in their communities as a group.
• Encourage pride in their community and civic action.
• Help members show their Catholic faith through actions.
• Create social events to build a sense of community.
• Offer scholarships to students.
• Help young people develop good character.
• Provide social and learning opportunities for members.

Their Spirit of Service

The Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary help all Catholics get involved in their faith. They do this by living out the teachings of the Gospel. They take part in many projects to serve their church and community.

Leaders of the Knights and Ladies

Supreme Knights

Here are the leaders who have served as the main executive officers for the Knights of Peter Claver:

1. Gilbert Faustina (1909–1926)
2. Louis Israel (1926–1940)
3. Alphonse Pierre Auguste (1941)
4. John Henry Clouser (1941–1946)
5. Joseph Roland Prejean (1946–1952)
6. Beverly Victor Baranco Jr., KSG (1952–1958)
7. Eugene Boone Perry (1958–1964)
8. Shields Gilbert Gilmore (1964–1970)
9. Ernest Granger Sr., KSG (1970–1976)
10. Murry J. Frank (1976–1982)
11. Chester J. Jones, KSG (1982–1988)
12. Paul Camille Condoll (1988–1994)
13. Andrew Jackie Elly (1994–2000)
14. Arthur Cecil McFarland, Esq. (2000–2006)
15. Gene Anthony Phillips Sr., KHS (2006–2010)
16. Fredron DeKarlos Blackmon, OblSB, KHS (2010–2016)
17. James Kenneth Ellis (2016–2022)
18. Christopher Pichon (2022-)

Supreme Ladies

Here are the leaders who have served the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary:

1. Mary Lula Figaro Lunnon (1926–1928)
2. Alfaretta Ruth O'Ferrall Aubry (1928–1952)
3. Lucy Elizabeth Huff Jones (1952–1958)
4. Inez Young Bowman (1958–1964)
5. Thelma Perrault Lombard (1964–1970)
6. Florence Madeleine Woodfork Lee (1970–1976)
7. Elise LeNoir Morris (1976–1982)
8. Consuella Broussard (1982–1988)
9. Dorothy B. Henderson (1988–1994)
10. Leodia Gooch (1994–2000)
11. Mary Louise Briers (2000–2006)
12. Geralyn Carmouche Shelvin (2006–2012)
13. Vertelle Amos Kenion (2012–2018)
14. Micaela J. A. LeBlanc (2018–)

Important Buildings

The Peter Claver Building in New Orleans, Louisiana was the national headquarters for the group from 1951 to 1974. A new building was built next to it after that. This building also served as the office for attorney A. P. Tureaud, who worked to end legal separation in U.S. schools.

Well-Known Members

Many notable people have been members of the Knights of Peter Claver, including:

• Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, the first African-American cardinal.
• Cardinal Daniel Nicholas DiNardo
• Archbishop Shelton Fabre, who is the current national chaplain.
• Bishop Martin Holley, a past National Chaplain.
• A. P. Tureaud, Sr, a famous Black attorney.
• Bishop Harold R. Perry, one of the first Black bishops in the U.S.
• Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD
• Auxiliary Bishop Joseph N. Perry
• Ralph Metcalfe, an Olympic athlete and politician.
• Ernest "Dutch" Morial, the first Black mayor of New Orleans.
• Sylvester O. Rhem, a politician from Chicago.
• Bishop Kevin Vann
• Bishop David Talley
• Cardinal Raymond Burke
• Archbishop Allen Vigneron
• Bishop Charles Michael Jarrell
• Auxiliary Bishop David G. O'Connell
• Bishop Paul Loverde
• Bishop Eduardo Nevares
• Bishop David Toups
• Bishop Curtis J Guillory SVD DD , a past National Chaplain.
• Bishop Brendan Cahill