Squire Roses
Encyclopedia
The Squire Roses are a youth fraternity run by individual State Councils within the Knights of Columbus
, for Catholic ladies between the ages of 10 and 18. With the Squires (young men) and Squire Roses (young women), they combine to make the Columbian Squires.
The process for the birth of the Squire Roses took just over four years. In March 1993, Squires Circle #3992 (St. Mary of Sorrows) held a recruitment drive. Several young ladies asked if they could join the Squires, or if there was a similar group they could join. Regrettably they were turned down, as the Squires are an organization for young men. The seed was planted, though, which would soon grow into a beautiful rose.
In 1994 the same young ladies, bringing their friends and parents, continued to ask the Squires if they could join. When turned down, the ladies asked if they could assist the Squires in their projects, thus getting them involved in service to their parish and community. By December the Squires agreed to recruit young ladies for this offshoot organization.
By 1996, the groundwork for the Squire Roses had been laid. Volunteers from the Ladies of Virginia (LOV), local college sororities, and the local community helped to define the vision, roles, and ceremonials for this fledgling group. The young ladies who first requested to join the Squires were the ones who came up with the name. They did not want to be "Squirettes," "Columbiettes," or any other form of -ette. This group was to be equal to the Squires, not some diminutive version. They chose Squire Roses for several reasons:
In June 1996, the Virginia State Council of Knights of Columbus recognized the Squire Roses as the Virginia State Council's official youth group for ladies aged 10 to 18. Soon after, the group had its first Investiture, which is the formal name for the initiation ceremony. It was conducted by the Squires of Circle #3992 as a showing of solidarity, and LOV assisted.
2001 - The number of Circles grows to five, with Squire Roses numbering over 50.
2004 - 2005 - Circles in Washington DC fail, due to adult sponsors moving out of the area. Additionally, two Circles in Virginia fail due to lack of membership recruiting.
2006 - 2009 - With the introduction of Jason Seiler to run the Columbian Squires for the State of Virginia, the Squires and Squire Roses saw new growth and development. The Squires win multiple awards, including the top two international awards for growth. Likewise the Squire Roses add three new Circles, over doubling their membership in the state. Mr. Seiler is in talks with Knights of Columbus State Councils for New Jersey, California, Nebraska, and Texas to adopt the Squire Roses as their official youth group for young ladies, aged 10 to 18.
2010 - The first Squire Rose circle in Texas, Tx001, is invested and instituted at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Community in Orange, TX, on October 17th, 2010. In addition, the first International Squire Roses Circle was invested and instituted in Luzon, Philippines.
The Squire Roses officers consist of Chief Squire Rose, Deputy Chief Squire Rose, Secretary, Treasurer, and Ceremonial Guard. Adults (members of the Knights of Columbus
or their affiliated Ladies Auxiliaries) fill the roles of Chief Counselor, Chancellor and the priest fills the role of the Father Prior.
Circle #003 - Messengers of Grace
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
, for Catholic ladies between the ages of 10 and 18. With the Squires (young men) and Squire Roses (young women), they combine to make the Columbian Squires.
History
The Squire Roses were established in 1996 under the leadership Mr. Russ DeRose and the Virginia State Council, Knights of Columbus.The process for the birth of the Squire Roses took just over four years. In March 1993, Squires Circle #3992 (St. Mary of Sorrows) held a recruitment drive. Several young ladies asked if they could join the Squires, or if there was a similar group they could join. Regrettably they were turned down, as the Squires are an organization for young men. The seed was planted, though, which would soon grow into a beautiful rose.
In 1994 the same young ladies, bringing their friends and parents, continued to ask the Squires if they could join. When turned down, the ladies asked if they could assist the Squires in their projects, thus getting them involved in service to their parish and community. By December the Squires agreed to recruit young ladies for this offshoot organization.
By 1996, the groundwork for the Squire Roses had been laid. Volunteers from the Ladies of Virginia (LOV), local college sororities, and the local community helped to define the vision, roles, and ceremonials for this fledgling group. The young ladies who first requested to join the Squires were the ones who came up with the name. They did not want to be "Squirettes," "Columbiettes," or any other form of -ette. This group was to be equal to the Squires, not some diminutive version. They chose Squire Roses for several reasons:
- In many women's investitures, a rose was given to the candidate or another special person
- The rose is a multi-cultural symbol of womanhood
- 1960 for “Operation Rose,” a sterling silver rose was brought by Columbian Squires from Canada, throughout the United States by Squires, to Mexican Squires, to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadeloupe, and given to Pope John XXIII.
In June 1996, the Virginia State Council of Knights of Columbus recognized the Squire Roses as the Virginia State Council's official youth group for ladies aged 10 to 18. Soon after, the group had its first Investiture, which is the formal name for the initiation ceremony. It was conducted by the Squires of Circle #3992 as a showing of solidarity, and LOV assisted.
Growth & Expansion
1997 - Washington DC Knights of Columbus adopt the Squire Roses as their youth program for young ladies. The first Circle of Squire Roses is created on March 9 of this year.2001 - The number of Circles grows to five, with Squire Roses numbering over 50.
2004 - 2005 - Circles in Washington DC fail, due to adult sponsors moving out of the area. Additionally, two Circles in Virginia fail due to lack of membership recruiting.
2006 - 2009 - With the introduction of Jason Seiler to run the Columbian Squires for the State of Virginia, the Squires and Squire Roses saw new growth and development. The Squires win multiple awards, including the top two international awards for growth. Likewise the Squire Roses add three new Circles, over doubling their membership in the state. Mr. Seiler is in talks with Knights of Columbus State Councils for New Jersey, California, Nebraska, and Texas to adopt the Squire Roses as their official youth group for young ladies, aged 10 to 18.
2010 - The first Squire Rose circle in Texas, Tx001, is invested and instituted at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Community in Orange, TX, on October 17th, 2010. In addition, the first International Squire Roses Circle was invested and instituted in Luzon, Philippines.
Organization
Each Circle is supervised by a Knights of Columbus Council or Assembly and has an advisory board made up of either the Grand Knight, the Deputy Grand Knight and Chaplain or the Faithful Navigator, the Faithful Captain and Faithful Friar. Circles are either Council based, Parish based, or school based, depending on the location of the Circle and the Knight counselors.The Squire Roses officers consist of Chief Squire Rose, Deputy Chief Squire Rose, Secretary, Treasurer, and Ceremonial Guard. Adults (members of the Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
or their affiliated Ladies Auxiliaries) fill the roles of Chief Counselor, Chancellor and the priest fills the role of the Father Prior.
Emblem
The Columbian Squire Roses emblem symbolizes the ideals which identify a Squire Rose. Centered in a circle is the cross of Christ, with the letters “F,” “W,” “S,” and “C.” These symbolize Family, Wisdom, Spiritual, and Civic growth that occurs within the Squire Roses. Within the triangle are the letters “S,” representing Service, “R,” for Responsibility, “C,” for Christ, and “K,” for the Knights of Columbus, by whom the Squires Roses program is sponsored. The triangle, the most stable geometric shape, is a representation of the Holy Trinity. A red rose adorns the emblem, symbolic of womanhood and of blossoming life. The emblem is encircled with a golden ring, signifying the value and perpetuity of the group, and that all within are equal. Upon the ring is the motto of the Squire Roses – “With Grace and Dignity We Stand as One.”External links
Circle #001 - St. Mary of SorrowsCircle #003 - Messengers of Grace