2010-11 Officers
Fourth Degree Knights
On February 22, 1900, the first Fourth Degree exemplification or degree
ceremony was held in New York City. The Fourth Degree imparts a lesson
on the virtue of patriotism. The primary purpose of this degree is to foster
the spirit of patriotism in members and the community at large and
encourage active Catholic citizenship. Today there are some 300,000
Fourth Degree Knights out of the total 1.6 million member Knights of
Columbus.
Local units, called assemblies, draw their members from Knights of
Columbus councils. The qualifications for membership in the Fourth
Degree are: membership in the Knights for at least one year and being a
Third Degree Knight.
A Fourth Degree Knight may become part of the assembly's color corps.
These members are recognized widely by their distinctive attire of tuxedo,
feathered hat (chapeau), cape and sword. These members regularly take
part in civic events such as parades and wreath-laying ceremonies, and at
ecclesial functions at Catholic churches. The various colored capes and
chapeau feathers denote different officer positions within the Fourth
Degree.
On February 22, 1900, the first Fourth Degree exemplification or degree
ceremony was held in New York City. The Fourth Degree imparts a lesson
on the virtue of patriotism. The primary purpose of this degree is to foster
the spirit of patriotism in members and the community at large and
encourage active Catholic citizenship. Today there are some 300,000
Fourth Degree Knights out of the total 1.6 million member Knights of
Columbus.
Local units, called assemblies, draw their members from Knights of
Columbus councils. The qualifications for membership in the Fourth
Degree are: membership in the Knights for at least one year and being a
Third Degree Knight.
A Fourth Degree Knight may become part of the assembly's color corps.
These members are recognized widely by their distinctive attire of tuxedo,
feathered hat (chapeau), cape and sword. These members regularly take
part in civic events such as parades and wreath-laying ceremonies, and at
ecclesial functions at Catholic churches. The various colored capes and
chapeau feathers denote different officer positions within the Fourth
Degree.
| Please Remember our Deceased Sir Knights who passed this past year Sir Knight Ray Cooper PGK, PFN Sir Knight Casimir Rupinski II Sir Knight Jan Glabinski Sir Knight Louis Lachall Sir Knight Paul Dressel PGK |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|
Updated 07/10/10 JRM
The triad emblem of the Fourth Degree features
the Dove, the Cross and the Globe. The Dove -
classic symbol of the Holy Spirit and Peace - is
shown hovering over the orb of the earth
(Globe). Both are mounted on a variation of the
Crusader's Cross - that which was found on the
tunics and capes of the Crusading Knights who
battled to regain the Holy Land from the pagans.
Our Honored Order cherishes as its patron Christopher Columbus.
Spiritually, the sacred symbols on the emblem typify the Union of the
Three Divine Persons in one Godhead - the most Blessed Trinity.
The Globe - God the Father, Creator of the Universe. The Cross - God
the Son, Redeemer of Mankind.
The Dove - God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of Humanity.
A blue Globe with the lands of the Western Hemisphere in white.
A red Cross with gold borders, and gold knobs at the end of the points
forming the ends of the arms of the Cross (also known as the Isabella
Cross).
A white dove.
Red, white and blue are the colors of the flag of the country in which
our Order originated; and are used to stress the basic principal of the
Fourth Degree ... PATRIOTISM.