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On February 22, 1900, the first
exemplification of the degree was held in New
York City. The ritual added patriotism to the
three original principles of the Order: charity,
unity and fraternity. Any Third Degree member in
good standing, six months after the anniversary
of his First Degree, 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.
Starting at the Supreme level there is the
Supreme Master and the Supreme Board of
Directors. The next level of the structure is
broken into provinces of which there are twenty.
Each province is lead by a Vice-Supreme Master.
The Vice-Supreme Master wears a light blue lined
cape and chapeau. The province is then broken up
into districts each of which should contain no
more than eight assemblies. A Master is in
charge of a District and wears gold lined cape
and chapeau. Also a Master usually has a
District Marshall to assist him. The District
Marshall wears a green lined cape and chapeau.
Faithful Navigators wear a white cape and
chapeau.
Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as
Color Guards and Honor Guards at civic and
religious functions, an activity which has
brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of
Columbus organization. Honor Guardsmen have
mastered the "Manual of the
Swordsmen". The District Marshall of the
Color Corps wears a green lined cape and
chapeau. The Color Corp Commander wears a purple
lined cape and chapeau. Finally, all other
members of the Color Corp wear red lined capes
and white chapeaus.
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Emblem of the 4th Degree |
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The Fourth Degree
emblem consisting of three overlaid objects
representing the Trinity. The Globe represents
God the Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth. The
Crusader's Cross, similar to the cross which
knights use to wear into battle during the Holy
Crusades, represents God the Son, Jesus Christ.
The Dove represents the God the Holy Spirit,
Paraclete.
The colors, Red, White, and Blue are the colors
of the American Flag representative of the
principle of the 4th Degree, Patriotism. |
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