Knights of Peter Claver oldest, largest African American Catholic lay organization

The year was 1909, when a group of four priests and three laymen from the Diocese of Mobile, Ala., sought to change the course of history. Together these pioneer men formed the first chapter of the Knights of Peter Claver (KOPC). This was the first organization to allow men of color membership in a fraternal society.
 
Since that time, the Knights of Peter Claver have received strong support from the Catholic Church. Comprised of more than 18,000 Catholic family members and currently headquartered in New Orleans, La., the order now has more than 700 subordinate units throughout the United States and a unit in Colombia, South America.
 
The order is a member of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights. The Knights of Peter Claver is the largest and oldest African American Catholic lay organization in the world. 
 
KOPC was named after Saint Peter Claver, a 17 ^th century Jesuit priest from Spain. Saint Claver was stationed in Columbia, one of the main ports for slave trade. Saint Claver attended the physical and spiritual needs of many slaves. Until his death in 1654, he worked tirelessly for the abolition of the African slave trade and for the salvation of the African slaves. Through the work of Saint Peter Claver, more than 300,000 slaves were converted to Catholicism. Saint Peter Claver is the patron saint of slaves.
 
The mission of the Knights of Peter Claver involves promoting social and civic justice, fostering relationships within the community, youth and family, and performing charitable works. These tasks are carried out through many divisions: The Knights of Peter Claver, Ladies Auxiliary, the Junior Division, Junior Daughters, the Fourth Degree Knights, and the Fourth Degree Ladies of Grace.
 
In 1926, the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary was formed. To-date, more than 11,000 women comprise the various “courts” within the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary. Additional branches include youth divisions of the Junior Knights and Junior Ladies.
 
The Oklahoma City Corpus Christi parish Knights of Peter Claver council was established in 1985 and has been active since its inception. Corpus Christi is home to Council #264 and Saint Martin De Porres Court #264.
 
The goals and objectives of the order are:

• To be a supporter to the local parishes and to the bishop of the diocese;
• To participate collectively in various parish and community activities;
• To promote civic improvements and social justice;
• To encourage lay apostolic and Catholic action;
• To make contributions to worthwhile causes;
• To award scholarships and support education;
• To foster recreational assemblies and facilities;
• To develop youth in a positive, nurturing environment;
• To provide social and intellectual fellowship for its members.

Over the years, the KOPC has participated in numerous charitable works, including many noteworthy contributions to various local, state and national organizations. Since its founding, the Knights of Peter Claver has been an organization where everyone is welcome, regardless of race or ethnicity.

Nick Richardson, current Grand Knight of Council #264, said being involved with the KOPC has been in a great way to meet people while also giving back to his parish.
 
“The people I’ve met within the organization have been some of the most topnotch people I have ever met,” Richardson said.
 
In the past, the KOPC of Corpus Christi has raised enough funds to offer scholarships to graduating youth. 
 
Richardson said his interest in the Knights began when he and his wife joined Corpus Christi nine years ago. He said they were looking for an opportunity to become more active in their parish. After being invited by Deacon Bernie Hollier, he joined the Knights. He said he considers it a “great honor” to be the Grand Knight of his council.
 
Magnolia Cumby is the Grand Lady of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, Saint Martin De Porres Court #264. Cumby, who joined the Ladies Auxiliary in 1990, said it wasn’t long after she started attending Mass at Corpus Christi, she felt compelled to give the Ladies Auxiliary a try.
 
“Once I saw the ladies in their white dresses and I saw the things they were doing, I knew that was what I wanted to do,” she said.
 
Not only have the ladies enjoyed a fellowship, Cumby and the sisters in her court have taken charge of many charitable works over the years, including spearheading fundraisers for their parish, projects to help the homeless, among others.
 
“This is a family thing.” 
 
Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.


Saint Peter Claver
Patron Saint of Slaves
 
Born: June 26, 1581
Feast Day: Sept. 9

• Jesuit Missionary to Columbia;n Brought 300,000 people to Christ;
• With the help of interpreters, he was able to reassure the slaves of their human dignity and God’s saving love; 
• During Peter’s ministry he baptized and instructed more than 300,000 slaves;
• On Sept. 8, 1654, after being very sick, Peter Claver died;
• In 1888, Peter Claver was canonized a saint by Pope Leo XIII and declared patron saint of missionary work.