CNA Staff, Aug 4, 2020 / 11:11 am
The 138th annual convention of the Knights of Columbus begins today- the first in the organization's history to not be held in-person.
The New Haven, Connecticut-based fraternal and charitable organization is encouraging its members to tune in to the convention online. Due to coronavirus restrictions, the gathering is being held virtually. Last year's convention took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The convention comes a few months after the Vatican announced that Fr. Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, will be beatified following Pope Francis' approval of a miracle attributed to his intercession.
Founded in New Haven in 1882, the Knights of Columbus was originally intended to assist widows and their families upon the deaths of their husbands. It has grown into a worldwide Catholic fraternal order, with more than 2 million members carrying out works of charity and evangelization across the globe. The Knights also offer life insurance policies to their members.