The Patriotic Degree

The Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus

Another degree open to members in the Knights of Columbus is the Fourth Degree. The first exemplification of that degree was held in New York City, on February 22, 1900. The ritual added patriotism to the three principles of the Order: charity, unity and fraternity. Any Third Degree member in good standing, one year 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 their locals council to remain in good standing.

Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus.

Pictured above and below is the Fourth Degree Emblem. Bearers of this emblem are committed to conduct themselves honorably as Christian gentlemen in their private and public lives, as well as acting patriotically for the good of their nations. Likewise, the Fourth Degree sword represents the bearer's reverence for the Eucharist and the Pope, bishops and hierarchy of the Church, and displays publicly his willingness to protect his Church and priests.

What the 4th Degree Emblem symbolizes:

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.

Christopher - Christ Bearer
Columbus - Dove of Peace, symbolizing the Paraclete.

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

The colors of the symbols are:

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 principle of the Fourth Degree . . . PATRIOTISM.

Considered under a religious aspect, we have the honor and privilege of wearing on our swords and our lapels the sacred symbol of the Most Blessed Trinity. This should always remind us to live a good Christian life, and that we should never bring dishonor on the emblem we have been privileged to wear. By this, others may see our good works, through which we will glorify our Holy Religion, our Honored Order and our Beloved Country.

Fourth Degree Colors

A question often addressed to a Fourth Degree Knights is: "What do the colors represent?" The following hopefully will answer that question.

Chapeau and Cape Colors

According to Article XII, Section 41:

1. The official regalia for Color Corps shall be a navy type chapeau, cape, service baldric and silver sword. Vice Supreme Masters, Masters and former such officers only shall be permitted to bear the gold sword.
2. The colors to be used with the capes and chapeaus of the Color Corps are as follows:

 

Vice Supreme Master	Blue Cape and Chapeau
Master	Gold Cape and Chapeau
Faithful Navigator	White Cape and Chapeau
District Marshall	Green Cape and Chapeau
Assembly Commander	Purple Cape and Chapeau
Color Corps	Red Cape and White Chapeau

1. The colors worn by Vice Supreme Masters, Masters and Faithful Navigators may continue to be worn by such officers following their completion of service in that office.
2. These colors shall be mandatory June 30, 1981.

History of
the Flag

The United States flag is the third oldest of the national standards of the world - older than the Union Jack of Britain or the Tricolor of France.

The flag was first authorized by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia on June 14, 1777. This date is now observed as "Flag Day" throughout America.

The flag was first flown from Fort Stanwix, on the site of the present city of Rome, New York, on August 3, 1777. It was first under fire three days later in the battle of Oriskany, August 6, 1777.

It was first decreed that there should be a star and a stripe for each state, making thirteen of both; for the states at that time had just been erected from the original thirteen colonies.

The colors of the flag may be thus explained -- the red is for valor, zeal and fervency; the white for hope, purity, cleanliness of life, and rectitude of conduct; the blue, the color of heaven, for reverence to God, loyalty, sincerity, justice and truth.

The star (an ancient symbol of India, Persia and Egypt) symbolizes dominion and sovereignty, as well as lofty aspiration. The constellation of the stars within the union, one star for each state, is emblematic of our federal constitution which reserves to the states, their individual sovereignty except as to the rights delegated by them to the federal government.

The symbolism of the flag was thus interpreted by Washington: "We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by the white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty."

In 1795 after Vermont and Kentucky were admitted to the Union, the number of stars and stripes was increased to fifteen. As other states came into the Union it became evident there would be too many stripes.

In 1818 Congress enacted that the number of stripes be reduced and restricted henceforth to thirteen, representing the thirteen original states; while a star should be added for each succeeding state. That law is the law of today.

The name "Old Glory" was given to our national flag on August 10, 1831, by William Driver, a sea captain of Salem, Massachusetts. One legend has it that when he raised the flag on his brig, the Charles Doggett, he said: "I name thee Old Glory."

The flag was first carried in the battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777. It first flew over foreign territory January 28, 1778, at Nassau, Bahama Islands; Fort Nassau having been captured by the Americans in the course of the war for independence. The first foreign salute to the flag was rendered by the French Admiral LaMotte Piquet, off Quiberon Bay, February 13, 1778.

The United States flag is unique in the deep and noble significance of its message to the entire world - a message of national independence, of individual liberty, of idealism, of patriotism.

It symbolizes national independence and popular sovereignty. It is not the flag of a reigning family or royal house, but of two hundred and three million free people welded into a nation, one and inseparable, united not only by community of interest but by vital unity of sentiment and purpose; a nation distinguished for the clear, individual conception of its citizens alike, of their duties and their privileges, their obligations and their rights.

It incarnates for all mankind the spirit of liberty and the glorious ideal of human freedom - not the freedom of unrestraint or the liberty of license -  but an unique ideal of equal opportunity for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, safeguarded by the stern and lofty principles of duty, of righteousness and of justice, and attainable by obedience to self-imposed laws.

Floating from the lofty pinnacle of American idealism, it is a beacon of enduring hope to the oppressed of all lands. It floats over a wondrous assemblage of people from every racial stock of the earth whose united hearts constitute an indivisible and invincible force for the defense and succor of the down-trodden.

It embodies the essence of patriotism. Its spirit is the spirit of the American nation. Its history is the history of the American people. Emblazoned upon its folds in letters of living light are the names and fame of our heroic dead, the fathers of the republic who offered upon its altars their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. Tales of national honor and glory cluster thickly about it. Ever victorious it has emerged triumphant from many great national conflicts. It flew at Saratoga, at Yorktown, at Gettysburg, at Manila Bay, at Chateau-Thierry, at Iwo Jima, Normandy Beaches, Inchon Landing and many others. It bears witness to the immense expansion of our national boundaries, the development of our national resources, and the splendid structure of our civilization. It prophesies the triumph of popular government, of civic and religious liberty and of national righteousness throughout the world.

Rules For Displaying The Flag of the United States

Location of Fourth Degree Assemblies