Who We Are
Our Mission Statement
Catholic women who through sisterhood, service and spirituality, strengthen our faith while meeting the needs of our community and church..
We are inclusive, respect life and support our Knights of Columbus.
Message from Our President
I am honored and grateful to be the President of a wonderful group of Catholic women. I look forward to serving with faith, humility, and dedication as we continue to grow in fellowship, prayer, and service to our parishes and communities. No one person can accomplish everything alone, many are needed. I think this represents who we are “We are many people” “we are all one body”. Let us continue to work together to make the Delaware Columbiette Organization a successful one by not only recruiting new members but by encouraging them to get involved in the many activities and committees within the Auxiliaries. We all have a gift that we can share with each other. We are one body in this world.
Please consider joining your local Columbiettes. You will make new friends and your light will shine through faith and service in our organization.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Patricia Burroughts
President, Delaware State Columbiettes
Convention News
The 24th Delaware State Columbiette Convention was held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Church of the Holy Cross Parish in Dover, Delaware. The Columbiettes are Catholic women who, through sisterhood, service and spirituality, strengthen our faith while meeting the needs of our community and church. They are inclusive, respect life and support our Knights of Columbus. Attendees to the convention included delegates from the six auxiliaries throughout the state who represent the almost 350 members; our Supreme Officers; and other State representatives. The photo reflects the newly elected board including the new state President Patricia Burroughs, whose term will begin July 1. The Columbiettes are extremely excited to start their 25th year to serve the needs of others.
The Names from the photo left to right:
Jill Mercer-State Immediate Past President
Father John Hynes- State Chaplain
Corey Thomas-State Secretary
Patricia Burroughs- State President
Polly Dougherty -State Vice President
Rosemary Solomon-State Sentinel
Deanna Lail- State Advocate
Anna Skinner -State Financial Secretary
Darlene Sanphy- State Treasure
Our Patronesses
The Blessed Virgin Mary
We strive to emulate the purity of Mary and imitate her as a mother. As Catholics, we recognize that she is the foundation of true motherhood.
St. Therese of Lisieux
In her great zeal to serve Almighty God, St. Therese of Lisieux, sometimes called the Little Flower, welcomed any opportunity to make sacrifices and unite her life to God.
St. Joan of Arc
St. Joan of Arc, though young, was always ready to give her aid unselfishly to those who defended a righteous cause and worked to enact the will of God in the world.
Our Emblem
The Blue Circle represents the World.
The White Cross represents Christ’s love for us – by His Crucifixion,
He redeemed the World.
The Golden Rays represent our zeal to serve God through the Mediums of Faith, Hope and Charity symbolized by the Three White Stars.
Our History
In 1939, Monsignor J. Francis McIntyre, at that time the Chaplain of the New York Chapter Knights of Columbus, and who later became Cardinal McIntyre of Los Angeles, California, saw a great number of women leaving a rally at Madison Square Garden. Impressed with their enthusiasm, he thought, “ If they can do it, so can we!” At that moment he conceived the idea of the Columbiettes, a women’s organization working with the Knights of Columbus..
The New York Chapter Knights of Columbus embraced the idea and formulated a plan for such an organization. Their plan called for the establishment of Auxiliaries in each Council and to coordinate the efforts of all under the direction of the parent group. They also enlisted the aid of a friend, the Honorable Margaret Mary J. Mangan to make it happen.
On March 2, 1939, the first Columbiettes were instituted in New York City. Since that memorable day, many new Auxiliaries were formed, and eventually, State Councils and a Supreme Council were established.
In 1959, Judge Margaret Mary J. Mangan was elected the first President of the Supreme Council Columbiettes. A woman of great humility and dedication, she held the Columbiettes and the Catholic Church dear to her heart. She brought honor and glory to them as well as her career as a State Supreme Court Justice.
Today there are over 250 auxiliaries and over 14,500 members throughout the United States. Delaware’s first Columbiette Auxiliary was established in 1994 in Sussex County. Since then, the Delaware Columbiettes have grown to over 300 members with the latest auxiliary formed in July 2020.