3-hour program to feature Knights of Columbus

You know the Knights of Columbus as the men with the cool plumed helmets and swashbuckling swords at major ceremonies of the Catholic Church, but if you’re not a member, do you really understand the breadth of what they do? Here’s your opportunity!

On Tuesday, Aug. 3, EWTN will air a three-hour block of programming about this august organization – which will be interspersed with live coverage of his year’s 128th Supreme Convention in Wash. D.C.

Here’s an overview of the Aug. 3 programs:

· Opening Mass of the KOC’s Supreme Convention: Airs live from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Wash. D.C. at 9:30 a.m. ET

· Opening Session of the Knight’s Convention: Airs 1 p.m. ET.

· “A People of Life” looks at the Knights’ support and involvement of the pro-life movement in North America. (Airs 4 p.m. ET.)

· “Men of Faith Who Make a Difference: Knights of Columbus.” The Knights have been dedicated to faith, family, and country for over 100 years; this documentary explores the Knights history at its influence on humanitarian, cultural and religious enterprises. (Airs 5 p.m. ET)

· “From Benedict to Benedict: Ninety Years of the Knights of Columbus in Rome:” Explore the strong relationship between the Knights and the Vatican from Pope Benedict XV to Pope Benedict XVI. The program focuses on the organization’s many contributions to the city of Rome and how the contributions have fostered the growth of the Knights themselves. (Airs 6 p.m. ET)

· “Vocation to Marriage:” This award-winning KOC documentary looks at the vocation of marriage as a path to greater union with God.

· Knights of Columbus 128th Supreme Convention: State’s Dinner: Will be aired live from Washington, D.C. beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

For those who want more, here are a few interesting facts about the organization from their official website:

Q: Where did the Knights of Columbus get their name?

A: These men were bound together by the ideal of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of the Americas, the one whose hand brought Christianity to the New World. Their efforts came to fruition with the incorporation of the Knights of Columbus on March 29, 1882.

Q: Who founded the Knights of Columbus?

A: Father Michael J. McGivney, a 29-year-old parish priest, whose cause for canonization is being investigated by the Vatican.

Q: How did the organization begin?

A: On Oct. 2, 1881, a group of men met in the basement of St. Mary’s Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut. Called together by their parish priest, these men formed a fraternal society that would one day become the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization.

Q: How large is the KOC?

A: The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 13,000 councils and 1.7 million members throughout the U.S., Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan.

Q: What do the Knights do?

A: The Order has been called "the strong right arm of the Church," and has been praised by popes, presidents and other world leaders, for support of the Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement and aid to those in need. To get an idea of what this means, tune into EWTN on Aug. 3.