In Medieval times, a squire was a young man in training to become a knight. Squires learned through service, and, through their training, advanced toward the honorable goal of becoming a knight.
Like the squires of old, Columbian Squires, through the Squire Advancement Program, will advance through various levels of training. The program has the goal of recognizing and rewarding each Squire for acquiring the skills and attitudes of Catholic leadership as he moves towards becoming a Knight.
The program is structured with five levels of achievement, designed to guide a Squire through a process of learning and growth, while he masters certain activities and develops leadership skills. Each level requires a specific number of achievements in four categories: Home and Family; Squires and Knights; Community and Country; and Church.
Each level is described below.
The first level in the Squire Advancement Program is Page. Historically, a page was in training to become a squire. He would be taught courtesy and chivalry by attending to his knight, the knight’s lady and their guests, as well as taking care of household duties.
To reach this level a Squire must have been a member for at least two months and must achieve a basic knowledge of the Columbian Squires, the Knights of Columbus, his family, nation and faith.
To learn more about the requirements of this level, please Click on the Page drop down on the menu.
Shield Bearer is the second level in the Advancement Program.
A Squire must have been a member for at least six months. He must expand on his knowledge of the Squires and of the Knights, be involved in his family, begin to get involved in his community, and become more advanced in the knowledge of his faith.
To learn more about the requirements of this level, please Click on the Shield Bearer drop down on the menu.
The third level of achievement sought by Squires is that of Swordsman.
A Squire must have been a member for at least nine months. He should be creative and helpful at home and should be gaining increasing confidence as a committee member, as a public speaker, as a member of the community, and as a member of his parish.
To learn more about the requirements of this level, please Click on the Swordsman drop down on the menu.
The fourth level of achievement sought by Squires is that of Lancer. A Squire must have attended circle and committee meetings and activities for at least one year. He should be creative and helpful at home and should be gaining increasing confidence as a committee member, as a public speaker, as a member of the community, and as a member of his parish.
To learn more about the requirements of this level, please Click on the Lancer drop down on the menu.
A knight’s senior squire was called the “squire of the body.” This squire was responsible for the actions and supervision of the other squires. When his knight went into battle, this squire would accompany and aid him with his personal needs, including armor and armaments. A squire of the body would also tend to the wounds of an injured knight or assure that the knight’s body would be buried if the knight was killed in action.
To become a Squire of the Body of Christ, the highest, most honorable level in the Squire Advancement Program, a Squire must complete at least 96 achievements and be an active Squire for at least two years.
A Squire must exhibit exceptional interest in his family and in the world around him. He should demonstrate exceptional leadership skills in his circle, in the community and in the Church. He must plan, organize, implement, and complete a major activity on behalf of his parish or another Church institution in the arch/diocese.
To learn more about the requirements of this level, please Click on the Body of Christ drop down on the menu.