For most men who follow Jesus, there comes a time when duty extends beyond our own lives, beyond how we lead our families, and into how we serve our fellow man. That’s what the Knights of Columbus is all about. The Patriotic Degree allows knights to take this one step further. “Sir Knight” is more than a title. It’s an honor.
What is Fourth Degree?
On February 22, 1900, the first exemplification of the Fourth Degree was held in the New York City. To the three principles of our Order: Charity, Unity and Fraternity, the final lesson that was added is the virtue of patriotism. The focus of the Fourth Degree is on this principle, an abiding love for and devotion to one's country. 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 membership in local Fourth Degree groups called Assemblies.
Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as Color Guards and Honor Guards at civic and religious functions, an honorable activity which has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus and local Assembly organizations. Honor Guards have mastered the "Manual of the Sword".
As members of the Color Corps, we are the visible part of the Order. When the public sees us in parades, they see the visible arm of the "Knights of Columbus". When we attend wakes and/or funerals of our deceased brothers, all see the visible "Knights of Columbus". In the many parishes in which we serve, our fellow Catholics see the "Knights of Columbus".
Emblem of 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus: The Patriotic Degree
The triad emblem of the Fourth Degree features the dove, the cross and the globe. The dove, a
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, which was found on the tunics and
capes of the Crusading knights who battled to regain the Holy Land from the pagans. 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 our symbols are:
A blue globe with the land 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, representing the Holy Spirit.
Red, white and blue are the colors of the flag of the country in which the Knights originated.
They are used to stress patriotism, the principle of the Fourth Degree.
St Nicholas Catholic Church
4th Degree Knights of Columbus
Our Lady of the Harbor Assembly 2501