WHY I BECAME A KNIGHT

--My only regret is that I waited until I was 31 to join--

Earlier this year I took my First Degree. Since then, I have had occasion to build relationships with several of my brother Knights and learn quite a bit more about our Order. The men I have met so far are stalwart defenders of moral decency and the Catholic faith, dedicated husbands and fathers, apologists for the sanctity of life in their communities, advocates of the disadvantaged, and contributors to the common good in various ways through their activities as Knights. Moreover, I have been impressed with the sense of our brotherhood and the unwavering commitment to take care of our own. My only regret is that it took me until I was 31 years old to join the knights.

Any one of the descriptions of the Knights of Columbus I offered above is sufficient reason for joining. Indeed, there is a critical need for leadership in all of these areas in our Church and in the countries where Knights are found. Each of us should be grateful for the opportunity for just this kind of service the knights provide. Nevertheless, none of these opportunities are the primary reason that moved me to take my First Degree.

Wimps And Barbarians
Many commentators in recent years have noted a certain crisis in the masculine virtues, especially among young men. In his penetrating article, "Wimps and Barbarians" (Claremont Review of Books, winter 2003, www.claremont.org), Terrence Moore gives us a way of articulating the nature of this particular crisis. According to Moore, our younger brethren all too often fall into one of two categories: wimps or barbarians.

In the latter case we find young men whose entire view of what it means to be a man is exhausted by sports competition, womanizing, vulgar and course behavior and self-aggrandizement. In the former case, we have young men who are lacking in any particularly masculine traits of character. They are oversensitive, passive young men who are unwilling to take initiative for themselves or the common good.

What happens to society when there is an increase in wimps and barbarians is obvious. There is a decline in the number of young men who take on the responsibility of marriage and family, and illegitimacy and divorce rates go up.

Restoring Masculine Virtues
These problems hamper our ability to combat the culture of death. The revitalization of the family, the re-evangelization of our culture, and the return to respect for traditional masculine virtues of courage, respect, wisdom justice, charity and faith all must be brought about if we are ever going to set our nations on the path of moral and spiritual renewal. In short, the coming of a culture of life requires that we restore the masculine virtues.

These virtues cannot be taught in a classroom, nor can they be learned simply from the pulpit, however important such teaching may be. Virtues are best learned though association with somebody who lives a virtuous life. This need for an example of a man's virtuous life is finally why I joined the Knights of Columbus.

My brother Knights are not wimps -they take the initiative to lead their fellow citizens and parishioners, and in doing so they speak and act boldly and courageously in the interest of what is just and faithful. Neither are they barbarians - part of being a Knight is to have compassion for the downtrodden, the unborn child and people with disabilities, while being respectful of our neighbors, our wives and our friends. The traditions and contemporary actions of the Knights are the very examples that our world needs in order to recover its lost sense of masculinity.

A Model for My Sons
I joined the Order not only because of what our world needs, but because I want the knights of Columbus to be there for my own sons. I want my boys to have a community of like-minded men to whom they may be accountable and with whom they may earnestly work to defend their faith and protect the weaker members of their community. That is the very model of what a Christian gentleman should be, and that is the model I think of their father and his brother Knights.

I am proud to be counted among your number. Vivat Jesus!

James D. Madden is assistant professor of philosophy at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., Where he lives with his wife Jennifer and their children William, Martha and Patrick. He is a member of Sacred Heart Council 723 in Atchison.

Tim S. Hickey
Editor - Columbia Magazine/Knightline
Knights of Columbus Supreme Council
203-752-4303 (v)
203-752-4109 (fax)
tim.hickey@kofc.org