Jurisdiction of Massachusetts
4th Degree

Master, John Amico


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"). 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.

FOURTH DEGREE EXEMPLIFICATION

 

May 1, 2010

Cape Codder Hotel , Hyannis, MA

Honoring State Deputy William Donovan

FOURTH DEGREE


The Exemplification of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus in the District of Massachusetts will be held on May 1, 2010 Cape Codder Hotel in Hyannis under the name of "Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus" at a rate of $104.00 per night plus tax.

Please contact the Cape Codder Hotel at 508-771-3000 before April, 1st,2010 


Ladies Luncheon Tickets should be picked up at the Ladies Registration Desk.

   Candidates total  fee is $84.00. (includes dues)  Ladies Luncheon tickets are $25.00 and additional banquet tickets are $35.00.   Your form has to have the Financial Secretary signature on it. 

Cancellations made after April 15, 2010 will not be refunded for dinner or Lunchen.

   
For more information call the Faithfull Comptroller at 413.967.4223 or e-mail
stanley@waretv.org

MANDATORY DRESS CODE FOR CANDIDATES IS BLACK TUX.

NO FLIPUP COLLERS

"AGENDA"

11:00 A.M. CANDIDATE REGISTRATION

12:00 P.M. LADIES LUNCHEON

1:00 P.M. EXEMPLIFICATION

4:00 P.M. MASS

6:00 P.M. RECEPTION

6:30 P.M. BANQUET DINNER

 

 

 


  • History
  • Purpose
  • Rank & Organization
  • Membership
  • Official Dress
  • Honor Guards  
 
History
The Knights of Columbus, founded by Father McGivney on March 29, 1882, was originally chartered by the State of Connecticut as the "Knights of Columbus of New Haven." Its purpose was to provide mutual aid and assistance to its members and their families. In 1889, a legislative amendment to the charter authorized the present name "Knights of Columbus."
Originally the Order had only three degrees, exemplifying the principles of Charity, Unity and Fraternity. As the membership grew, the scope and purpose of the organization increased and became more diversified. Complying with the wishes of the membership, the Supreme Board of Directors approved the Fourth Degree in 1900 and on February 22nd of that year (George Washington's Birthday) the first Exemplification of the Fourth Degree was held in New York City.
Membership in the Patriotic Degree of the Order has flourished over the years.   As of June 30, 2006, there were 297,911 Fourth Degree Knights in 2,659 assemblies.
                                                            Purpose
The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus is to inculcate a love of country and impress the duties of citizenship. Its motto is Patriotism -- a patriotism enlightened and informed by religion.

Rank and Organization

While the Fourth Degree is the highest and the Honorary Degree of the Order, a member must maintain his council membership in good standing in order to retain his Fourth Degree membership.
The Third Degree, through its elected officers, on the Supreme and the State Council levels is the governing body of the Order, with the Supreme Board of Directors, the highest authority. This Board appoints the Supreme Master and the Vice Supreme Masters of the Fourth Degree. A Vice Supreme Master presides over a Province which consists of a number of Districts. The Supreme Master appoints the Master of the District who supervises the Assemblies in his jurisdiction. The Assemblies, in turn, are composed of members of one or more Councils in the Assembly area.

Membership

Applications for membership in the Fourth Degree may be made to any assembly provided the applicant is:
 
  1. Over eighteen years of age.
     
  2. A citizen of the country in which he resides.
     
  3. A Third Degree member in good standing in his council,
    and who was initiated in the Admission (First) Degree at least one year prior to his Exemplification of the Fourth Degree.
     
  4. Or, a former member, whose membership was terminated for failure to pay dues, or by a withdrawal card, if he has been readmitted to good standing in his council, and if he was a Third Degree member for a period of more than six months, prior to his loss of good standing in his council.
     
  5. A practical Catholic in union with the Holy See.

The Exemplification fee is set annually by the Board of Directors and includes a lapel pin, social baldric and one ticket to the Exemplification Banquet. Members of the Clergy are exempt from the payment of initiation fees and Assembly dues.

Official Dress

The official dress of the Fourth Degree is black tuxedo, white pleated formal shirt, black tie and cumberbund, black shoes and socks, black studs and cuff links, white suspenders and white gloves.

The social baldric identifies you as a Brother Knight and must be worn at all social functions. Officers should wear their jewel of office. The service baldric is used whenever the sword is carried. A "simple" American Flag lapel pin should be worn while in uniform.

All Fourth Degree members are encouraged to obtain the full regalia which includes the white plumed chapeaux, red lined cape, service baldric and sword. You will then be ready whenever you are called upon to participate.

 

Honor Guards

One of the most important functions of the Fourth Degree is providing Guards of Honor at Mass, wakes, funerals, dedications and many other civic or patriotic functions. In full Regalia, with colorful capes and plumed chapeaux, the Knights of Columbus are always recognized in any public appearance. These Sir Knights add dignity and a pride of church and country to any event. By these public demonstrations, their loyalties bring credit to themselves and to the Knights of Columbus.
The colors of the Fourth Degree are:

 

  • Blue - Vice Supreme Master / Former VSM
  • Gold - Master / Former Master
  • White - Faithful Navigator / Former Faithful Navigator
  • Green - District Marshal
  • Purple - Honor Guard Commander
  • Red - Honor Guard

       

 
 

Massachusetts Assemblies
# Name

388 Archbishop Williams

389 Bishop Chevrus

390 Father Druillette

391 Father O'Doherty

392 Bishop Stang

393 Father O'Donnell

394 Cardinal O'Connell

395 Bishop Conaty

396 Bishop Beaven

397 Bishop Delaney

398 Edward D. White

399 Bishop O'Reilly

400 Edward F. McSweeney

401 Bishop Feehan

402 Bishop Tyler

403 Governor David I. Walsh

404 St. Pius X

405 Bishop Cassidy

406 Bishop Garrigan

407 Cardinal Spellman

408 Bishop Minihan

409 John F. Kennedy

410 Cardinal Cushing

411 Cardinal Medeiros

1602 Burlington

1924 Cardinal Wright

2313 Father Michael J. McGivney

2314 Reverend Robert A. Buchan, S.J.

2631 Reverend Daniel A. Doyle


Fairview Assembley


 

THE EMBLEM OF THE FOURTH DEGREE
 
 
 

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The Triad Emblem of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus features:

the DOVE

the CROSS

the GLOBE

The Dove, the classic symbol of the Holy Spirit and Peace, is shown hovering over the orb of the earth or
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.

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 ends of the 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

                                                                      FLAG    INFORMATION

                                                    Display of the Flag of the United States of America

                The flag of the United States receives the position of highest honor in a display of flags.  When other international
       flags are present, they are arranged in alphabetical order.  All international flags are to be flown from staffs that are the
       size as the U.S. Flag.  International protocol does not permit the flag of any nation flying above any other nation during
       peacetime.

                  State flags are arranged in the order of admittance to the Union.
 

                                                                   United States of America Flag

                 The first flag resolution was passed by Congress on June 14, 1777.  There was no prescribed arrangement
      of the stars in the union  (blue field).  The Betsy Ross flag is just one example of how the stars were arranged.

                  With the admittance of Vermont and Kentucky, Congress passed a resolution prescribing that future flags
      would show a star and stripe for each of the original 13 states.  This flag was the flag that flew over Fort McHenry
      when Francis Scott Key watched the British bombardment.  After the War of 1812, the current pattern was adopted,
      with one star for each state and a stripe for each of the original 13 states.  However, it was not until 1912 that a formal
      arrangement of the stars was prescribed.

                   When a new state is admitted the the Union, it is represented on the flag on the 4th of July following its
      admittance.  The President, by proclamation, directs the arrangement of the stars in the Union.