Fourth Degree has roots in wartime

Throughout early American history, many Catholics criticized the United States for its involvement in war, the Spanish-American War not withstanding. Yet, criticism of the Spanish-American War didn’t deter the Knights. Rather, it spurred a wave of patriotism that swelled and helped form the early Fourth Degree.

In 1886, Supreme Knight James T. Mullen recommended the Knights of Columbus establish two additional degrees, a fourth and a fifth degree. The Order was still in the fledgling stage and facing infrastructural challenges, so this concept was shelved. It wasn’t until the late 1890s, during the Spanish-American War, that sufficient interest in forming a Knights of Columbus degree based on patriotism was roused.

After his election in 1899, Supreme Knight Edward L. Hearn formed a committee to immediately design such a degree. The degree would be, "Patriotism enlightened by religion.” To qualify for this degree, one had to be a member of the Knights of Columbus for three years, and serve the Order, the church and the community with distinction.

On Feb. 22, 1900, 1,100 Knights of Columbus members became the first Sir Knights at the Lenox Lyceum in Manhattan. This site was chosen for the first Fourth Degree Exemplification, as the interest in such a degree was centered in the New York City area. Another 750 members "took their Fourth" on May 8, 1900, in Boston.

The uniform of the day was a top hat, Prince Albert coat and a red/white/blue baldric on which was pinned an emblem depicting the U.S. Constitution. Sir Knights also wore a sword with a cross-handled grip. The Honor Guard began in 1902. The initial uniform was a Marine Corps cap, a Navy coat with Army trimmings and insignia.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada, became the first international site to hold a Fourth Degree Exemplification on July 14, 1907.

During this time, Fourth Degree assemblies did not exist outside the local councils. There was no Supreme Master until the election of John H. Redden as the first Supreme Master in 1910. He established provinces for the Fourth Degree, each headed by a Vice Supreme Master.

President Woodrow Wilson received a telegraph from the Supreme Assembly in 1917, in which the services of the Fourth Degree were offered. This was within days of the United States’ entry into World War I. The assembly’s contributions to the war effort included raising funds for entertainment for the soldiers, distributing Catholic encyclopedias and staging patriotic celebrations on Washington’s Birthday in 1918.

Other landmarks include:

·        1921: The marching of 50,000 in Chicago in honor of Ferdinand Foch, Marshall of France, an honorary member.

·        1924: The beginning of cash awards to schoolchildren for their essays on U.S. history and government.

·        1925:  The Fourth Degree Silver Jubilee.

·        1927:  The official uniform is now a sword, baldric, and military or naval uniform apropos to its respective host country.

·        1939: The headdress of Fourth Degree members appearing in civic patriotic functions shall be the Navy chapeau with the Fourth Degree emblem or, if no sword is worn, the silk top hat. The board of directors added, "It is hoped the Navy headdress would
eventually come into general use."

·        1949: The Philippines hosted its first Fourth Degree Exemplification, during which 160 men became Sir Knights

·        1950: The Fourth Degree’s Golden Jubilee.

By 1970, the official Regalia of the Honor Guard consisted of its present uniform of Navy-style chapeau, cape, service baldric and silver sword. By 1981, robe colors began indicating the office held. For example, a present or Past Faithful Navigator wears a white cape; a Master, a gold cape; a Marshal, a green cape; a Commodore (head of the Honor Guard for the assemblies), a purple cape.

The Fourth Degree began to give funds for an Episcopal vicar to minister to chaplains and military personnel in Europe in 1983, and the following year in Asia and Canada. The “To Be a Patriot” awards were established in 1985, and given for top patriotic programs. Also in that year, assemblies promoted voter awareness, displaying the flag, vocations support and pro-life activities.

Throughout 2000, the Fourth Degree celebrated its 100^th anniversary. Today’s approximately 252,000 members of 2,200 assemblies are also members of their own KC councils. They participate in assembly ceremonies, hold offices (sometimes in the assembly and council) and conduct activities in the interest of patriotism.

Sir Knights, here’s to 100 more!