About Knights of Peter Claver
The Knights of Peter Claver (KPC) is the largest and oldest African American Catholic lay-led fraternal service organization in the United States, founded on November 7, 1909, in Mobile, Alabama, by four Josephite priests and three Black Catholic laymen. Modeled on the Knights of Columbus (which excluded Black members), it was created to give Catholic men of color — and later the whole family — a fraternal, charitable, and faith-filled order of their own. Today the Order, named for the Jesuit St. Peter Claver who ministered to enslaved Africans in 17th-century Colombia, is headquartered in New Orleans and operates councils, courts, and youth units across the United States and in South America. Its members live out a mission of "Faith, Hope, and Love through Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity" through parish service, social justice work, education scholarships, youth formation, and fraternal insurance benefits.
Mission
To render service to God and His Church through the brotherhood of man, promoting civic and social justice, contributing to charity, awarding scholarships, and nurturing relationships with the community, youth, and family — "spreading FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE through FRIENDSHIP, UNITY, and CHRISTIAN CHARITY."
- Founded
- 1909 (November 7, 1909; incorporated July 12, 1911)
- Founder
- Four Josephite (St. Joseph Society of the Sacred Heart) priests — Fathers Conrad F. Rebesher, John H. Dorsey, Samuel J. Kelly, and Joseph P. Van Baast — and three laymen of the Diocese of Mobile: Gilbert Faustina, Frank (Francis Xavier) Collins, and Frank (Francis) Trenier.
- Leader
- Dr. Christopher Pichon, Ed.D., 18th Supreme Knight and CEO (elected July 2022 at the 106th Annual Senior National Convention; Houston, TX; parishioner of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church). Reginald C. Auzenne serves as 18th Supreme Navigator over the Meritorious Fourth Degree.
- Reach
- Over 18,000 Catholic family members (per the Order's own published figures), with more than 400–700 subordinate councils, courts, and junior units (figures range from "over 400 units in 72 Catholic dioceses" in a 2022 press release to "over 700 subordinate units throughout the United States and a Unit in Colombia, South America" on the Order's legacy site). The Order operates in over 56–58 archdioceses and dioceses in the U.S., with an international presence in Colombia, South America; collegiate unit at Xavier University of Louisiana (New Orleans); and is a member of the worldwide International Alliance of Catholic Knights.
- Serves
- Catholic men, women, boys, and girls of all races and ethnicities — historically founded for Catholic men of color and now the only Catholic fraternal lay order welcoming the whole family. Members include clergy and prelates, as well as youth, young adults, and seniors organized in parish-based councils (men), courts (women), and junior units across the United States and in South America.
Founding and Early History of the Order
The Knights of Peter Claver was founded on November 7, 1909, in Mobile, Alabama — then one of the most segregated cities in the South. Four Josephite priests from the St. Joseph Society of the Sacred Heart (Fathers Conrad F. Rebescher, John H. Dorsey, Samuel J. Kelly, and Joseph P. Van Baast) partnered with three Black Catholic laymen of the Diocese of Mobile — Gilbert Faustina, Frank (Francis Xavier) Collins, and Frank (Francis) Trenier — to create a Catholic fraternal order open to men of color at a time when the Knights of Columbus and similar societies still excluded Black members. The first initiation ceremony was attended by Bishop Edward Patrick Allen. The Order was incorporated in the state of Alabama on July 12, 1911, and named for St. Peter Claver, S.J., the Jesuit priest from Spain who served enslaved Africans in Cartagena, Colombia, in the 1600s.
- Founded November 7, 1909, in Mobile, Alabama
- Incorporated July 12, 1911
- First officers' meeting attended by Bishop Edward Patrick Allen
- First national publication: The Shield (Mobile, November 1910), edited by Charter Member Frank Trenier
The Claverite Magazine
The Order's first official organ, The Shield, was published in Mobile beginning in November 1910 under the editorship of Frank Trenier, the Order's Charter Member and first National Secretary. In 1922 the publication was succeeded by The Claverite, with Joseph H. Rieras as its first editor (serving until 1928). The Claverite remains the official national magazine of the Knights of Peter Claver and is published semi-annually.
- The Shield (1910–1922)
- The Claverite (1922–present)
- First Claverite editor: Joseph H. Rieras, served 1922–1928
Growth of the Order's Divisions
Within a few years of its founding, the Order expanded to include the entire Catholic family — making it the only Catholic fraternal lay order to offer membership to men, women, boys, and girls. Branches had spread to Norfolk and Richmond, Virginia; Nashville, Tennessee; and several Mississippi towns by 1910, and by 1946 the Knights of Peter Claver were a national presence. The Order's later divisions include the Meritorious Fourth Degree (1917), Junior Knights (1917, recognized 1935), Ladies Auxiliary (authorized 1922, recognized 1926), Junior Daughters (1930), and the Ladies of Grace Meritorious Division (1980).
- Meritorious Fourth Degree Knights — authorized 1917
- Junior Knights — authorized January 14, 1917; recognized as a Division of the National Council October 1, 1935
- Ladies Auxiliary — authorized August 1922; recognized as a Division of the National Council at Galveston, Texas, August 1926
- Junior Daughters — established 1930
- Ladies of Grace Meritorious Division — established 1980
Junior Knights and Junior Daughters
The Junior Division is the youth arm of the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary, open to practicing Roman Catholic boys and girls ages 7–18 who have received their First Holy Communion. The Junior Knights Division was founded in 1917, and the Junior Daughters Division in 1930. Its mission is to promote and enhance the spiritual and social well-being of all Juniors by building good character and developing leadership skills. Programs cover spiritual, educational, social, physical, service, and civic-cultural development, and Juniors serve in parish ministries such as lectors, commentators, ushers, greeters, and St. Vincent de Paul volunteers.
- Open to Catholic boys and girls ages 7–18 who have received First Holy Communion
- Spiritual, educational, social, physical, service, civic-cultural programming
- Local units called Courts (Junior Daughters) and Councils (Junior Knights)
- Members meet monthly and participate in district biennial conferences (e.g., 53rd Biennial Gulf Coast District Junior Conference, 2026)
Ladies Auxiliary
Authorized in August 1922 and recognized as a Division of the National Council at Galveston, Texas, in August 1926, the Ladies Auxiliary gives Catholic women ages 18 and older of all races and ethnicities a full role in the Claver family. Like the Knights, local units are called Courts. The Ladies of Grace Meritorious Division, established in 1980, is the Order's highest honor for women members and parallels the Fourth Degree for the Knights.
- Authorized August 1922
- Recognized as a National Council Division at Galveston, Texas, August 1926
- Ladies of Grace Meritorious Division established 1980
- Open to Catholic women ages 18+ of all races and ethnicities
National Headquarters in New Orleans
After Hurricane Katrina damaged the New Orleans campus, the Order rebuilt and dedicated its present National Headquarters at 1825 Orleans Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70116-2825, in August 1976. The Order had previously been headquartered next door at 1821 Orleans Avenue, which was dedicated in August 1951. The national staff serves the Order's councils, courts, junior units, and members across the country and abroad from this address. The complex also serves as the meeting place for many district and national gatherings.
- Current address: 1825 Orleans Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70116-2825
- Phone: (504) 821-4225; Fax: (504) 821-4253
- Email: [email protected]
- Previous HQ: 1821 Orleans Avenue (dedicated August 1951)
Leadership and Supreme Officers
The Knights of Peter Claver is led by a Supreme Knight and CEO, the Order's top elected officer. Dr. Christopher Pichon, Ed.D., of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Houston, Texas, was elected the 18th Supreme Knight and CEO at the Order's 106th Annual Senior National Convention in July 2022. Pichon is a career educator who serves as Executive Director for School Administration and Principal Development with the Galena Park (Texas) Independent School District, and is the founder/CEO of the Christopher Pichon II Foundation. Reginald C. Auzenne of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Houston serves as the 18th Supreme Navigator over the Meritorious Fourth Degree — the highest-ranking officer of that division.
- Supreme Knight and CEO: Dr. Christopher Pichon (18th), elected July 2022
- Supreme Navigator, 4th Degree: Reginald C. Auzenne (18th), Houston TX
- Past Supreme Knight: James K. Ellis (reached end of statutory tenure in 2022)
- Media contact: Athanase Jones, Media Director ([email protected])
Goals, Objectives, and the Order's Patrons
Stated goals and objectives of the Order include providing social and intellectual fellowship, developing youth in a positive nurturing environment, fostering recreational assemblies, awarding scholarships, contributing to worthwhile causes, encouraging lay apostolic and Catholic action, promoting civic improvements and social justice, participating in parish and community activities, and supporting the local parish and the diocesan bishop. The Order is placed under the patronage of St. Peter Claver, S.J., and has received the Apostolic Benediction of the Holy Father on multiple occasions, along with the formal approbation of U.S. cardinals, archbishops, and bishops throughout the dioceses where the Order operates.
- Patron: St. Peter Claver, S.J. (feast day September 9)
- Apostolic Benediction received from the Holy Father on multiple occasions
- Approbation of U.S. cardinals, archbishops, and bishops
Membership, Benefits, and Fraternal Insurance
Membership is open to all practicing Catholics and is organized in four divisions: Knights (Catholic men ages 18+), Ladies Auxiliary (Catholic women ages 18+), Junior Knights (Catholic boys/young men ages 7–18), and Junior Daughters (Catholic girls/young ladies ages 7–18). Full members are eligible for fraternal life insurance of up to $2,500 guaranteed under standard plans, with additional options to expand coverage for their families; collegiate members qualify for policies of $5,000 and above. Members also gain access to the Order's national network, scholarship opportunities, and member discounts from corporate partners.
- Knights: Catholic men ages 18+ of all races and ethnicities
- Ladies: Catholic women ages 18+ of all races and ethnicities
- Junior Knights: Catholic boys/young men ages 7–18
- Junior Daughters: Catholic girls/young ladies ages 7–18
- Fraternal life insurance up to $2,500 (full members); $5,000+ (collegiate)
- Scholarship opportunities for Junior Knights, Junior Daughters, and member dependents
Education and Scholarship Programs
Education is a core mission of the Knights of Peter Claver. The Order funds scholarships for Junior Knights, Junior Daughters, and dependents of members, and operates a dedicated scholarship program supporting Xavier University of Louisiana — the only historically Black Catholic university in the United States. The Order's historic first formal collegiate unit of any Black Catholic fraternal order was established at Xavier University on April 15, 2018 (Unit #403), and its Xavier chapter has presented $4,000 in annual scholarship awards to deserving students. A Claver Scholar, Sarah Bertrand, was awarded the inaugural Ochsner Health System Medical School Scholarship in 2019.
- College scholarships for Junior Knights, Junior Daughters, and dependents
- Xavier University of Louisiana Development and Expansion Fund
- Collegiate Unit #403 at Xavier University of Louisiana, established April 15, 2018
- Annual $4,000+ in scholarships awarded at Xavier's collegiate unit
Social Justice, Civil Rights, and the Faith
The Knights of Peter Claver has a long public record of Catholic social justice engagement. By 1939 the Order had begun to oppose segregation, created a committee to support Black priests, and declined to send Black priests overseas, instead working to strengthen the domestic Black Catholic community. During the civil rights movement the Order worked alongside the NAACP and the National Urban League. Today, the Order's Social Justice Initiatives promote dialogue and action on racism (referencing the U.S. bishops' pastoral letter Open Wide Our Hearts), criminal justice reform, immigration, and human trafficking — with Supreme Knight Pichon noting that up to 70% of human trafficking victims in the U.S. are Black. The Order also cooperates with the National Black Catholic Congress, the Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Educational Foundation, the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, the National Council of Negro Women, and the National Black Clergy and National Black Sisters Conferences.
- First opposed racial segregation in 1939
- Partnered with the NAACP and the National Urban League
- Social Justice Initiatives handbook for councils and courts
- Racism Committee and listening sessions with bishops in every diocese
- Human trafficking awareness and victim outreach
Conventions, Conferences, and Claver Day
The Knights of Peter Claver gathers annually for diocesan, district, state, and national conventions, including the Senior National Convention (now in its 108th+ year) and biennial district junior conferences such as the 53rd Biennial Gulf Coast District Junior Conference (2026). The 2024 convention carried the theme "RISE — centered on the Eucharist," emphasizing a daily celebration of the Mass and active participation in the Eucharist as the source of apostolic mission. The Order also observes Claver Day on September 9, the feast of St. Peter Claver, with parish-based recruitment drives, charity events, and liturgical service.
- Annual Senior National Convention
- Biennial District Junior Conferences
- Claver Day — September 9
- Racism Committee convenes during national news events
Parish Life, Liturgy, and Pastoral Support
Councils and courts are parish-based, and members are expected to be visible supporters of their pastors, parishes, and the diocesan bishop. Typical parish involvement includes serving as lectors, commentators, ushers, greeters, Eucharistic ministers, and gift bearers; volunteering with parish St. Vincent de Paul conferences; staffing recruitment tables after Sunday Masses; and hosting parish breakfasts, luncheons, and service events. The Order's identity as a "supporter to the local parishes and to the Bishop of the diocese" is listed as one of its explicit goals.
- Lectors, commentators, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, greeters, gift bearers
- St. Vincent de Paul and food pantry partnerships
- Clergy and religious appreciation events
- Support of the diocesan bishop
International Reach and the Alliance of Catholic Knights
While the vast majority of Knights of Peter Claver councils, courts, and junior units are in the United States, the Order is international. The Order maintains a unit in Colombia, South America, and is a member of the worldwide International Alliance of Catholic Knights, linking it to other national Catholic fraternal service organizations across the globe. A formal collegiate unit at Xavier University of Louisiana — the nation's only historically Black Catholic university — strengthens the Order's presence in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
- Active unit in Colombia, South America
- Member of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights
- Collegiate unit at Xavier University of Louisiana (Council/Court #403)
- Councils in 56–58+ U.S. archdioceses and dioceses
Heritage of St. Peter Claver
The Order is named for Saint Peter Claver, S.J. (1580–1654), a Spanish Jesuit priest born in Verdú, Catalonia, who was sent to the Spanish colony of New Granada (in present-day Colombia) and for nearly 40 years ministered to newly arrived enslaved Africans in the port of Cartagena. He is recognized as the patron saint of slaves, African Americans, and ministry to African people, and was canonized in 1888 along with his mentor St. Alphonsus Rodriguez. The U.S. bishops have asked priests to preach on St. Peter Claver and his care for the enslaved during the September 9 Mass each year.
- St. Peter Claver, S.J. (1580–1654)
- Spanish Jesuit, patron of slaves, African Americans, and ministry to African people
- Feast day September 9; U.S. bishops request homilies on racism and St. Peter Claver that day
- Ministered in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Resources, Publications, and Tools for Members
The National Office produces a wide range of resources for councils, courts, and members. These include The Claverite magazine, recruitment posters and digital templates for Facebook and Instagram, a "Welcoming the Entire Family" booklet and posters, the Biographies of Our Seven Founders, St. Peter Claver prayer cards, a Scholarship Funds brochure, the Social Justice Initiatives Handbook, and the Claver Toolbox — an online hub for branding, event planning, and member communications. The Order's recommended social media handle across platforms is @ClaverFamily, with the Junior Division at @ClaverJuniors.
- The Claverite magazine (semi-annual)
- Recruitment posters, social-media templates, and prayer cards
- Social Justice Initiatives Handbook
- Biographies of the seven founders
- Social media: @ClaverFamily and @ClaverJuniors
