They ignited the spirit of the Columbiette Order
May we continue to kindle the flame.

Our Founders

The Honorable Margaret Mary Josephine Mangan

Judge Mangan was a Justice of the Supreme Court of New York and was one of the Founders of our Order.
In 1959, Judge Mangan was elected the First President of the Supreme Council Columbiettes. She was a woman of greatness and humility and was dedicated to the Columbiettes. The Columbiettes were always dear to her heart and she brought honor and glory to the Columbiettes in all aspects of her career as a Supreme Court Justice and a Catholic woman.

John Leo Coyle             Charles P. Maruca

Thomas J. Hartigan, Chairman of the New York Chapter Knights of Columbus, designated Past Grand Knight Charles P. Maruca and Faithful Navigator John Leo Coyle, both as Advisors to formulate a plan to follow through on the ideas put forth by the Chaplain. They enlisted the aid of a member of St. Nicholas Auxiliary, Margaret Mary J. Mangan, to assist them. Their untiring efforts thus resulted in the Columbiettes. John Leo Coyle, a blind Attorney, who worked from the outset of the formation of the Organization, composed a First Degree. On December 17, 1939, the First Degree was exemplified for all the Columbiettes in existing Auxiliaries. The Major Degree was completed in 1942 and was exemplified at the Capital Hotel in Manhattan. The Degrees brought the Columbiettes in format with the Knights of Columbus structure.

To our founders we dedicate ourselves to do God’s work on earth promoting unity, Christ’s love for each of us, and zeal to serve God through Faith, Hope and Charity.