St. Joseph Circle 3847

•   16 Blueberry Hill Road   •    Raymond, NH  03077   •    (603)895-4713   •   

The Columbian Squires, the official youth organization of the Knights of Columbus, is a worldwide organization composed of Catholic males aged 10-18. Its purpose is the training of its members in the art and techniques of leadership and is literally the junior organization of the Knights.

Knights of Columbus Council 6850

    The Squires emblem symbolizes the ideals which identify a squire. On the arms of a maltese cross are the letters "P," which represents the physical development necessary to make the body as strong as the spirit; "I," which stands for the intellectual development needed for cultural and mental maturity; "S," which represents the spiritual growth and practice of our faith and "C," which stands for the development of citizenship and civic life. The larger letters "C," representing Christ; "S," the Squires; and "K," the Knights of Columbus by whom the Squires program is sponsored, are intertwined in the center of the cross. They are the three foundations of the program. "Esto Dignus," the Squires' motto encircling the emblem, is Latin for "Be Worthy."

What is a Circle?

    Squires are organized into units or groups called "circles" which are sponsored by either a Knights of Columbus council or assembly. (A minimum of ten young men is needed to form a circle.) The sponsoring council or assembly provides a meeting location for the circle. Responsibility for the conduct of the circle is retained by the sponsoring council's advisory board which consists of the council's grand knight, deputy grand knight and chaplain. In the case of an assembly, the advisory board consists of the faithful navigator, faithful captain and faithful prior.

    Each circle has four elected officers and four appointed ones. The circle's presiding officer is the chief squire. The other officers are: deputy chief squire, notary and bursar who are elected each June, and the marshal, sentry, arm captain and pole captain who are all appointed by the chief squire. The chief squire also appoints the chairmen of the spiritual, service, circle and membership activities committees. Another circle officer is the father prior, who must be a priest. He is appointed by the grand knight of the sponsoring council or by the faithful navigator of the sponsoring assembly.

    The Supreme Council Department of Fraternal Services at the Knights of Columbus office in New Haven, Connecticut helps to spur growth and create unity between Squires circles by planning and promoting Orderwide campaigns. The Department of Fraternal Services also publishes the monthly SQUIRES NEWSLETTER, which helps keep every Squire, counselor and Knights of Columbus leader informed of programs and activities. The Supreme Council office also provides handbooks and training aides to the local council leadership and membership to help develop the full potential of each member and every circle.

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