The Knights of Peter Claver, named after St. Peter Claver, a Spanish Jesuit priest, is an international Catholic fraternal service order founded in 1909 (four decades after the Emancipation Proclamation, when at the time Black members were not allowed in any of the Councils of the Knights of Columbus). It was founded by parishioners from Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, in Mobile, Alabama. The Ladies Auxiliary was formed in 1922.  The Knights and Ladies together are considered to be the largest and oldest Black Catholic lay-led organization still in existence. The Mission of the “Noble Order” is to spread faith, hope, and love, through friendship, unity, and Christian charity
 
The Order has as its present focus: social justice, support for vocations (especially from the Black Catholic community), and evangelization.

As of 2022, there are approximately 15,000 Knights and Ladies nationally and growing. In 2021, the Bishop Emerson J. Moore Council and Court 404 were established at St. Charles Borromeo Church, in Harlem. This is the first establishment of the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary in the Archdiocese of New York.  

The focus of Court 404 in 2023 is to rebuild “The “Village” supporting youth and seniors.

The Claver Prayer
God our Heavenly Father, You have given us life
through the Death and Resurrection
of Your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ;
Jesus, our Saving Lord, You came into a world
darkened by man’s sin
and gave it light through your teachings;
Holy Spirit, the Breath of God within us,
you guide and enlighten us
and give us the strength of our convictions;
St. Peter Claver, who became an example for us,
you showed us the Love of God,
The Light of Christ, and the strength of the Holy Spirit;
We pray now that all we say and do, in your honor,
be a continuation of your work here on earth.
St. Peter Claver, pray for us.
 

To learn more about the Order go to kofpc.org/info

 

What are the qualifications to join? Be a Catholic in good standing with the church.
Do I have to be Black to join?  No, the Knights of Peter Claver is a diverse organization with members of all races and ethnicities.
Can I also be a Knight of Columbus? Yes we are all part of the International Association of Catholic Knights we are all here to serve not to compete.

AUGUST 15, 2021 Three leaders from the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary introduced the men and women of the parish who became the first members of a new council (the men) and a new court (the women). The 3 leaders included: Micaella Le Blanc Supreme Lady, Kim Procter District Deputy Northern States and Grant Jones Executive Director.