Knights of Peter Claver facts for kids

The Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary is a worldwide Catholic group that helps others. It was started in 1909 in Mobile, Alabama, by a group of priests called the Josephites and people from a church. It is the largest and oldest organization led by Black Catholic members.

As of 2019, the Knights of Peter Claver supports over 700 local groups across the United States and in South America.

History of the Knights

How the Knights Started

The organization began in 1909. It was founded by four Josephite priests, including Father Conrad Friedrich Rebesher, and three Black laymen. A layman is a person who is not a priest. Their bishop, Edward Patrick Allen, was there for their first ceremony.

The Knights of Peter Claver was created because other Catholic groups, like the Knights of Columbus, did not always allow Black members. This showed a need for a Catholic group specifically for Black Catholics.

Early Years and Growth

A special division called the Sublimed and Meritorious Fourth Degree was formed in 1917. Knights can join this group after being members for two years. They must also show they are active in the Church and their community.

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

In 1922, the Ladies Auxiliary was created. This group gave Black Catholic women the same chances to serve their faith. The Auxiliary became an official part of the Order in 1926. The Junior Daughters division for young girls was officially recognized in 1930.

Standing Up Against Racism

In the 1920s, some members of the Knights of Peter Claver were criticized for not speaking out enough against racism and segregation. However, the Order began to openly oppose segregation starting in 1939.

Modern Activities and Support

In recent years, the Knights have helped many groups. These include the NAACP and the United Negro College Fund. They also support Catholic schools and Xavier University of Louisiana.

They have helped with disaster relief and support many social justice causes. For example, their youth divisions are working on clean water projects. They also help provide good housing for people who need it. They are also working to fight diabetes in the Black community.

In 2018, the Order started its first groups at a college. These were at Xavier University of Louisiana.

What the Name Means

The Order 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 Peter Claver helped over 300,000 of them become Catholic.

How the Organization Works

The Knights of Peter Claver is active in the United States and South America. It has over 400 groups for men (Councils) and women (Courts). 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 young men and Junior Courts for young ladies.

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

What the Knights Do

Main Goals

• To support local priests, churches, and bishops.
• To be active in their communities as a group.
• To encourage pride and action in their towns.
• To give members chances to show their Catholic faith.
• To create social events that build a sense of community.
• To offer scholarships to students.
• To help young people develop good character.
• To provide interesting activities for members.

Helping Others

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

Leaders of the Knights

Supreme Knights

Here is a list of the Most Worthy Supreme Knights who have led the Knights of Peter Claver:

• Gilbert Faustina † (1909–1926)
• Louis Israel † (1926–1940)
• Alphonse Pierre Auguste † (1941)
• John Henry Clouser † (1941–1946)
• Joseph Roland Prejean † (1946–1952)
• Beverly Victor Baranco Jr., KSG † (1952–1958)
• Eugene Boone Perry † (1958–1964)
• Shields Gilbert Gilmore † (1964–1970)
• Ernest Granger Sr., KSG † (1970–1976)
• Murry J. Frank † (1976–1982)
• Chester J. Jones, KSG (1982–1988)
• Paul Camille Condoll † (1988–1994)
• Andrew Jackie Elly (1994–2000)
• Arthur Cecil McFarland, Esq. (2000–2006)
• Gene Anthony Phillips Sr., KC*HS † (2006–2010)
• Dr. F(redron) DeKarlos Blackmon, OblSB, KCHS (2010–2016)
• James Kenneth Ellis (2016–2022)
• Dr. Christopher Pichon (2022–)

Supreme Ladies

Here is a list of the Most Esteemed Supreme Ladies who have led the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary:

• Mary Lula Figaro Lunnon † (1926–1928)
• Alfaretta Ruth O'Ferrall Aubry † (1928–1952)
• Lucy Elizabeth Huff Jones † (1952–1958)
• Inez Young Bowman † (1958–1964)
• Thelma Perrault Lombard † (1964–1970)
• Florence Madeleine Woodfork Lee † (1970–1976)
• Elise LeNoir Morris † (1976–1982)
• Consuella Broussard † (1982–1988)
• Dorothy B. Henderson † (1988–1994)
• Leodia Gooch (1994–2000)
• Mary Louise Briers (2000–2006)
• Dr. Geralyn Carmouche Shelvin (2006–2012)
• Vertelle Amos Kenion (2012–2018)
• Micaela J. A. LeBlanc (2018–2024)
• Hilda Wiltz (2024–)

Important Buildings

The Peter Claver Building in New Orleans, Louisiana, was the national headquarters from 1951 to 1974. A new building was built next to it. This building also served as the office for attorney A. P. Tureaud, Sr.. He was famous for working to end legal segregation.

Well-Known Members

Many important people have been members of the Knights of Peter Claver. These include:

• Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of Washington, the first African-American cardinal.
• Archbishop Shelton Fabre of Louisville.
• Bishop Martin Holley of Memphis.
• A. P. Tureaud, Sr, a famous Black attorney. He helped desegregate schools in the U.S.
• Bishop Harold R. Perry, one of the first Black bishops in the U.S.
• Ralph Metcalfe, an Olympic athlete and politician.
• Ernest "Dutch" Morial, the first Black mayor of New Orleans.
• Bishop Curtis J. Guillory of Beaumont.