About The Patriotic Degree Of The Order
Sir Knights of the Fourth Degree, deem it an honor and privilege to carry our TRIAD EMBLEM, which features The Dove, The Cross, and The Globe. Our Honored Order cherishes as its Patron, Christopher Columbus. The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups called assemblies. Fourth Degree members must retain their membership as Third Degree members in the local council to remain in good standing.
Color Corps:
The Color Corps is an ELECTIVE division of the Fourth Degree, whose distinctive presence in parades, wreath-laying ceremonies, Confirmations and other Catholic functions is a visible reminder of our service to the community. The tuxedo, chapeau, cape and sword worn by the Color Corps were inspired by 19th century naval uniforms, with different cape colors representing nine different program ranks. The ceremonial sword symbolizes Christian Knighthood, and is carried to signify reverence to Church, Eucharist, country and freedom.
The Color Corps is an ELECTIVE division of the Fourth Degree, whose distinctive presence in parades, wreath-laying ceremonies, Confirmations and other Catholic functions is a visible reminder of our service to the community. The tuxedo, chapeau, cape and sword worn by the Color Corps were inspired by 19th century naval uniforms, with different cape colors representing nine different program ranks. The ceremonial sword symbolizes Christian Knighthood, and is carried to signify reverence to Church, Eucharist, country and freedom.
Membership:
The Fourth Degree ritual added patriotism to the three original principles of the Order: charity, unity and fraternity. Any Third Degree member in good standing is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree. The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups called assemblies. Fourth Degree members must retain their membership as Third Degree members in the local council to remain in good standing.
Any Third Degree member in good standing is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree. There is no longer a waiting period to join the Fourth Degree. CLICK HERE for more information.
The Fourth Degree ritual added patriotism to the three original principles of the Order: charity, unity and fraternity. Any Third Degree member in good standing is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree. The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups called assemblies. Fourth Degree members must retain their membership as Third Degree members in the local council to remain in good standing.
Any Third Degree member in good standing is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree. There is no longer a waiting period to join the Fourth Degree. CLICK HERE for more information.
Exemplification Information:
The Fourth Degree member official regalia dress for members is as follows:
· Black Tuxedo
· Plain White Tuxedo Shirt - pleated and with collar
(No wing tip collars)
· Black Bow Tie
· Tuxedo Studs and Cuff Links
· Black Cummerbund - (No Vests)
· Black Footwear
· Social Baldric (Worn under the coat, from right shoulder
to left hip)
· Lapel Pin (The only pin worn on the lapel is the official pin
of the Fourth Degree, which is available from the Knights
of Columbus supreme Supply Department – item PG-113)
· Name Badge.
A member serving in the armed forces, a full-time police officer or firefighter is in proper attire when wearing the Class A dress uniform. He does not wear a baldric.
- We invite members of your Council to join the Fourth Degree. Sir Knights of the Fourth Degree, deem it an honor and privilege to carry our TRIAD EMBLEM, which features The Dove, The Cross, and The Globe. Our Honored Order cherishes as its Patron, Christopher Columbus.
- The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups called assemblies. Fourth Degree members must retain their membership as Third Degree members in the local council to remain in good standing.
- As a Fourth Degree Knight you have the opportunity to become part of your assembly's color corps. As a color corps member, you will be recognized widely by the distinctive attire of tuxedo, feathered hat (chapeau) cape and sword. Color corps members regularly take part in civic events such as parades and wreath-laying ceremonies, and in ecclesial functions at Catholic churches.
The Fourth Degree member official regalia dress for members is as follows:
· Black Tuxedo
· Plain White Tuxedo Shirt - pleated and with collar
(No wing tip collars)
· Black Bow Tie
· Tuxedo Studs and Cuff Links
· Black Cummerbund - (No Vests)
· Black Footwear
· Social Baldric (Worn under the coat, from right shoulder
to left hip)
· Lapel Pin (The only pin worn on the lapel is the official pin
of the Fourth Degree, which is available from the Knights
of Columbus supreme Supply Department – item PG-113)
· Name Badge.
A member serving in the armed forces, a full-time police officer or firefighter is in proper attire when wearing the Class A dress uniform. He does not wear a baldric.
Items to Remember for Fourth Degree Exemplification:
· The official dress for the Fourth Degree Exemplification is black tuxedo, black bow tie, plain white tuxedo shirt (NO wing tip shirts), black shoes, and black cummerbund. Religious and members of the armed services may wear their clerical garb or dress uniform respectively. NO lapel pins and jewel of office to be worn during exemplification by candidates. You must have your Third Degree membership card with you for the Fourth Degree Exemplification.
· Any Third Degree member in good standing, with at least six months membership in the order is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree.
· A Ladies Luncheon is provided for your wife’s entertainment and enjoyment during the actual Exemplification ceremony.
· Evening banquet tickets will be distributed by your assembly. Seating at tables is assigned by the District Master. You can NOT switch seats. If you wish to sit together as a group, you MUST provide this information to your assembly prior to the exemplification.
· The official dress for the Fourth Degree Exemplification is black tuxedo, black bow tie, plain white tuxedo shirt (NO wing tip shirts), black shoes, and black cummerbund. Religious and members of the armed services may wear their clerical garb or dress uniform respectively. NO lapel pins and jewel of office to be worn during exemplification by candidates. You must have your Third Degree membership card with you for the Fourth Degree Exemplification.
· Any Third Degree member in good standing, with at least six months membership in the order is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree.
· A Ladies Luncheon is provided for your wife’s entertainment and enjoyment during the actual Exemplification ceremony.
· Evening banquet tickets will be distributed by your assembly. Seating at tables is assigned by the District Master. You can NOT switch seats. If you wish to sit together as a group, you MUST provide this information to your assembly prior to the exemplification.
New Military Chaplain Scholarship Announced
The Knights of Columbus has established a new scholarship program to help fund the education of seminarians preparing to become Catholic chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The program will distribute $1 million in scholarship money to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, over a period of five years at a rate of $200,000 per year. These funds, in turn, will help produce a new generation of much-needed Catholic chaplains to minister to U.S. military personnel and their families. Fundraising for the Orderwide project will be led by the Fourth Degree, the patriotic degree of the Knights.
The idea for the scholarship developed during Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson's recent visit to the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. While watching flight-qualifier tests with an assistant secretary of the U.S. Navy, the supreme knight had the opportunity to think about Catholics in uniform and the hardship they face of having to go weeks — and sometimes months — without being able to attend Mass or receive spiritual guidance from a priest.
The program will distribute $1 million in scholarship money to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, over a period of five years at a rate of $200,000 per year. These funds, in turn, will help produce a new generation of much-needed Catholic chaplains to minister to U.S. military personnel and their families. Fundraising for the Orderwide project will be led by the Fourth Degree, the patriotic degree of the Knights.
The idea for the scholarship developed during Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson's recent visit to the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. While watching flight-qualifier tests with an assistant secretary of the U.S. Navy, the supreme knight had the opportunity to think about Catholics in uniform and the hardship they face of having to go weeks — and sometimes months — without being able to attend Mass or receive spiritual guidance from a priest.
"It can be very difficult for Catholic members of the armed forces when they're on forward deployments," Anderson said. "The U.S. military archdiocese, which supplies Catholic chaplains, estimates that it needs 800 priests to fully serve all of the Catholic men and women in uniform today, but they are only able to supply 280 — barely a third of the number needed."
The military chaplain scholarship aims to provide a solution to this problem. According to Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, the scholarship money will be dedicated to the archdiocese's "Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program," which was initiated to recruit priestly vocations for the military for the benefit of the armed forces as well as participating dioceses and religious orders throughout the country. Through this program, the military archdiocese contracts with each participating diocese to fund 50 percent of the cost of a seminarian's five-year education — typically $12,500 per year. In return, the candidate agrees that, following ordination and three years of service at a parish, he will commit to serve as a military chaplain under the auspices of the military archdiocese for a minimum of three to five years.
So far, the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program has seen impressive results. Since its inception, the initiative has garnered an increase in co-sponsored seminarians, from seven in 2008 to 30 in 2010.
"These results, while extraordinary, place a large financial burden on the archdiocese, which annually generates only enough funds — 95 percent from donations — to cover its operating costs," said Archbishop Broglio, who joined the Order in 2007 while serving as the apostolic nuncio of the Dominican Republic. "The archdiocese has no funds on hand to meet the long-term contractual commitments of the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program, especially if, as it is hoped, the numbers continue to grow."
The military chaplain scholarship aims to provide a solution to this problem. According to Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, the scholarship money will be dedicated to the archdiocese's "Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program," which was initiated to recruit priestly vocations for the military for the benefit of the armed forces as well as participating dioceses and religious orders throughout the country. Through this program, the military archdiocese contracts with each participating diocese to fund 50 percent of the cost of a seminarian's five-year education — typically $12,500 per year. In return, the candidate agrees that, following ordination and three years of service at a parish, he will commit to serve as a military chaplain under the auspices of the military archdiocese for a minimum of three to five years.
So far, the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program has seen impressive results. Since its inception, the initiative has garnered an increase in co-sponsored seminarians, from seven in 2008 to 30 in 2010.
"These results, while extraordinary, place a large financial burden on the archdiocese, which annually generates only enough funds — 95 percent from donations — to cover its operating costs," said Archbishop Broglio, who joined the Order in 2007 while serving as the apostolic nuncio of the Dominican Republic. "The archdiocese has no funds on hand to meet the long-term contractual commitments of the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program, especially if, as it is hoped, the numbers continue to grow."
Through this new scholarship, the Order, too, hopes to ensure the future development of the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program.
"Thanks to the generosity of the Knights of Columbus, this military chaplain scholarship will help fill this need for years to come," Broglio added. "The Knights of Columbus, over many years, has been most generous in providing much-needed financial support to this archdiocese.... [This] is but the latest instance of the organization's generosity. For that, I am most grateful."
"Thanks to the generosity of the Knights of Columbus, this military chaplain scholarship will help fill this need for years to come," Broglio added. "The Knights of Columbus, over many years, has been most generous in providing much-needed financial support to this archdiocese.... [This] is but the latest instance of the organization's generosity. For that, I am most grateful."
Religiously Devoted, Patriotically Proud
For most men who follow Jesus, there comes a time when duty extends beyond our own lives, beyond how we lead our families, and into how we serve our fellow man. That's what the Knights of Columbus is all about. The Patriotic Degree allows K of C members to take this one step further. "Sir Knight" is more than a title — it’s an honor.
An honor guard of Fourth Degree Knights from Michigan Fourth Degree District #2 looks on as (from left) Vice Supreme Master George A. Dann, Supreme Director Thomas M. Wegener and Joseph Salvia place a wreath at the fallen soldier memorial at Patriarche Park in East Lansing. Following the district's Fourth Degree exemplification, 216 new Fourth Degree Knights joined other K of C members, an Armed Forces color guard and a bagpipe band for a procession and memorial service at the nearby park.
An honor guard of Fourth Degree Knights from Michigan Fourth Degree District #2 looks on as (from left) Vice Supreme Master George A. Dann, Supreme Director Thomas M. Wegener and Joseph Salvia place a wreath at the fallen soldier memorial at Patriarche Park in East Lansing. Following the district's Fourth Degree exemplification, 216 new Fourth Degree Knights joined other K of C members, an Armed Forces color guard and a bagpipe band for a procession and memorial service at the nearby park.
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