This principle is the basis of all we do as Knights and as Catholics. Today, we ask for his intercession, pray for his canonization, and live out in our lives the principles he left us as Knights:įirst Degree – new Knights start as First Degree Knights exemplifying Charity. Mary’s Church in New Haven, CT, the city where the Order’s headquarters remains. This holy and heroic parish priest founded the Order with a group of laymen in the basement of St. Priests do not participate directly in Degree exemplifications as laymen do, but rather take the degree by observation.īehind everything a Knight does is the vision of our founder, Venerable Michael McGivney, and the mission he left us as Catholic men united in faith. Upon reaching the Third Degree, a gentleman is a full member. He is then said to be a First Degree Knight of Columbus after participating in the subsequent degrees, each of which focuses on another virtue, he rises to that status. A First Degree exemplification ceremony, by which a man joins the Order, explicates the virtue of charity. Make sure a candidate receives the full packet of information which includes valuable instructions on what is needed for registration.Īt this time when our way of life is being challenged both locally and globally, we ask that all men rise up to answer the call of becoming a Fourth Degree member to show that we will publicly defend both our rights and religious responsibilities.The Order is dedicated to the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. Please take the time during both Council and Assembly meetings to promote the Fourth Degree Exemplification and encourage Third Degree or lower members to attain the title of Sir Knight. 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. Therefore, it is not unusual to find Fourth Degree Knights participating visibly in church events, such as Eucharistic processions, and others, and in the community, standing up for the unborn and the elderly at Pro-Life events, and commemorating the sacrifices of previous generations. Government, and to recognize excellence in public life. To support by word and deed, the duly constituted authorities of local, state and national.To oppose dissemination and spread of doctrine dangerous to our form of government,Īnd to the Divine law of faith and morality.To promote by example the highest type of citizenship so necessary for the preservationĪnd perpetuation of republican form of government, and its democratic institutions.To educate its members, and others, both in the teachings of Holy Mother Church, and.To promote and strengthen the patriotic spirit of the civic community.In more detail, these goals may be stated as: The Fourth Degree is frequently regarded as an honorary title but should rather be thought of in terms of service to church and country, and the goals of the Fourth Degree may be summarized as the promotion of the ideals of Catholicism and Patriotism side by side. The requirements for joining the 4th are that a brother Knight must be a third degree member in good standing, be an exemplary Catholic, and be of sound citizenship of his country. It was established in New York on 22 February, 1900. Consequently, the 4th Degree is often known as ‘The Patriotic Degree’. Each ‘degree’ of the Knights of Columbus is associated with a particular virtue, the fourth being “Patriotism”.
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