Fourth Degree

 

 
The Fourth Degree is the highest and most prestigious degree within the Knights of Columbus. It is a group of outstanding Knights who are dedicated to the service of their Church, their country and our Order. These men are unified in the Fourth Degree to support religious, civic and charitable causes.

For Church...
 
  • Financially support causes addressing religious, civic and educational needs.
  • Promote active support of the Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP) and funds the Pro Deo and Pro Patria Scholarship Program.
  • Provide honor guards for the Holy Father on his visits to the countries where the Order exists.
  • Provide honor guards to local churches for special Masses and ceremonies.
For Country...
 
  • Sponsor programs that promote respect, knowledge and protection for national flags.
  • Promote legislation to protect the flag as the symbol of the nation and its history.
  • Present free flags to local churches, public and parochial schools, libraries, etc.
  • Place the national flag at the graves of military veterans on certain holidays.
  • Conduct "Get Out the Vote" awareness campaign to stress the importance of voting and assist in taking home-bound citizens to the polls.
  • Promote programs that encourage love of country and support the application of Christian principles at all levels of government.
  • Encourage active participation in programs for Church, country and the Order.
  • Sponsor youth essay contests geared to patriotic themes.
  • Organize and participate in parades and public events to mark patriotic holidays.
And The Order...
 
  • Participate at wakes and funerals; presents a "Resolution of Condolence" to the family of a deceased member.
  • Sponsor a program to commemorate the death of a member by presenting a memorial chalice to a priest in need.
  • Honor veterans by volunteering at veterans' hospitals, health care facilities and homes for the elderly.
  • Conduct educational programs to enable its members to defend our faith and life in all its stages.
  • Speak out against the culture of death, euthanasia and assisted suicide.
  • Sponsor Columbian Squires Circles and scout troops.
Are You Qualified?

To qualify for the Fourth Degree you must:
  • Be over 18 years of age
  • Be a citizen of the country where you reside
  • Have been a Knight of Columbus for at least 12 months
  • Be a Third Degree member in good standing with your council

 

Extract of Information concerning the wearing of
Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Regalia

 

 
From Laws and Rules of the Order Governing the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus

From the Fourth Degree Drill Manual

 

Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Regalia

 

 

Laws and Rules of the Order Governing the Fourth Degree
of the Knights of Columbus

Article XI Official Dress and Regalia Section 38
Article XI Color Corps The Establishment thereof Section 39
Dress for the Color Corps Section 40
Regalia for the Color Corps Section 41
Procedure and Manual for the Sword Section 42

Dress and Regalia Section 38

(a) The official dress for candidates for the Fourth Degree Exemplification shall be black tie, white shirt, black footwear and tuxedo (which may be black or white, depending upon the season and geographical area.)

(b) Regalia
The regalia of the Fourth Degree shall consist of the official dress and social baldric. Cape and chapeau are only required of those members participating in the Color Corps.

Article XI
Color Corps
The Establishment thereof Section 39
 

(a) Assembly may henceforth establish a uniform drill corps with the approval of the Master of the District and such unit shall be known as "Fourth Degree Color Corps of ...... Assembly"

(b) A Color Corps may participate in exemplifications, religious and public functions only on consent of the Master. The Master shall have full control of the Color Corps in his district, except as hereinafter provided and shall be held strictly accountable for such unit.

(c) The Faithful Navigator shall appoint a Commander of the Color Corps of his Assembly.

Dress for the Color Corps Section 40

The dress for the Color Corps or any previously organized uniformed units of the Fourth Degree shall be as determined from time to time by a directive of the Board of Directors. In the absence of such directive the Supreme Master shall have full control of dress requirements.

Regalia for the Color Corps Section 41

(a) The official regalia for the 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.

(b) 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 Members Red Cape and White Chapeau
(c) 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.

(d) These colors shall be mandatory June 30, 1981.

Procedure and Manual for the Sword Section 42

The procedure and the Manual of the Sword shall be as determined from time to time by a directive from the Board of Directors. In the absence of such directive the Master has full control provided, however, that he first receives approval of such procedure from the Supreme Master.

Knights of Columbus Fourth Color Corps

 

 

Extracted from the Fourth Degree Drill Manual

 Color Corps Authorization

Regalia Official Dress
 

Members

Color Corps - Honor Guards - Color Guards

 

Baldrics

Protocol for the Color Corps

Silent Commands

Jewels

Color Corps Authorization

Any assembly may organize and maintain a Fourth Degree color corps under the supervision and direction of the master of the district. Such bodies may participate in installations, exemplifications, religious and public functions and parades, with the consent of the Master.

Regalia Official Dress

Members

The official dress for a member of the Fourth Degree is as follows:
  • Black Tuxedo
  • Plain White Tuxedo Shirt
  • Black Tie
  • Black Shoes
  • Black Socks
  • Black Cummerbund or Black Vest
  • Social Baldric (worn under the coat, from right shoulder to left hip.)
In warm climates and during warm months a white dinner jacket may be worn, if done as a unit.

A member serving in the Armed Forces of his country is in proper attire when dressed in Military dress uniform.

A United States Flag pin may be worn on the lapel. A Fourth Degree pin may also be worn on the lapel and It is optional. (it is suggested that if the member wishes to wear it he should have a buttonhole put on his tuxedo) The size shall be the same size as that approved by the Supreme Council.

When a Fourth Degree member attends an official function of the Order where Fourth Degree dress is required, he may wear the jewel of his office around his neck, be it Fourth Degree or Third Degree, together with the Social Baldric.

A former Supreme Director, Past State Deputy, Past Grand Knight, Past Faithful Navigator, Former Vice Supreme Master or Former District Deputy may wear the miniature jewel of these offices, approved by the Supreme Council, on the left breast pocket of his jacket.

A member will wear a jewel around his neck only if he is presently in office.

Color Corps - Honor Guard - Color Guard

The official dress when serving in a color corps, honor guard or color guard are the same as the official dress of a member, with the following differences:

1. Black Chapeau with white plum or the color of the office as set forth below together with the Fourth Degree patch on the right side.

2. Black Cape with red lining or the color of the office as set forth on page 4, together with a Fourth Degree patch on the left shoulder.

3. White gloves.

4. Service Baldric, together with a sword, worn over the coat from the right shoulder to the left hip. When a sword is not permitted for any reason, the Service Baldric shall be worn nevertheless.

5. Color bearers wear a color harness and Service Baldric, but no sword.

6. The same rules apply with reference to wearing jewels of office.

 

Colors for Color Corps

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 Commanders Purple Cape and Chapeau
Color Corps Red Cape and White Chapeau
Former Vice Supreme Masters Blue Cape and Chapeau
Former Masters Gold Cape and Chapeau
Past Faithful Navigators White Cape and Chapeau

Baldrics

Canada Red and White

Protocol for Color Corps

In all ceremonies, whether within a church, other building, or out-of doors and when acting in conjunction with a group of the clergy, alter servers, societies, military units or others, it is important that the color corps commander consult with the celebrant or with those in charge of the other components, and act in conformity with them. If a master of ceremonies or marshal is in charge, his suggestions shall be followed although it may deviate from the suggested procedures outlined herein.

Silent Commands

Reference is made in this section to "visual commands" Due to the necessity for silence, particularly during a drill participation in church, silent "cues" must be used by the drill commander to instruct members and to give commands.

Jewels

When a Fourth Degree member attends an official function of the Order where Fourth Degree dress is required, he may wear the jewel of his office around his neck, be it Fourth Degree or Third Degree, together with the Social Baldric.

 
 

 
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