4th Degree

Welcome to the Second New Jersey District of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus on the web. This site is designed to provide current up to date information about the Patriotic Degree of the Knights of Columbus in the Second New Jersey District. Our District is made up of 37 Assemblies that are located south of the Raritan River. The district is one of two Districts in New Jersey and part of the Saint Isaac Jogues Province.

The primary purpose of this degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism in members and the community at large and encourage active Catholic citizenship. Local units, called assemblies, draw their members from Knights of Columbus councils.

We also have the “Sweats for Vets” program to provide sweat pants for the vets in our VA Hospitals. Our Assemblies help out with Picnics, Chapel service and recreation activities at the VA hospitals. Our “One Nation Under God” program is also an ongoing effort to keep this phrase in the pledge of allegiance.

In addition to the District Programs, each Assembly in our district carries on its own local programs. We are proud to be United States Citizens and we encourage our members and friends to support our Soldiers, our Government and the things that make this country the best place in the world to live. Last but not least we encourage everyone to display the flag of our country and to always display it properly.

The qualifications for membership in the Fourth Degree are: membership in the Knights for at least six months and being a Third Degree Knight. A Fourth Degree Knight may become part of the assembly’s color corps. These members are recognized widely by their distinctive attire of tuxedo, feathered hat (chapeau), cape and sword. These members regularly take part in civic events such as parades and wreath-laying ceremonies, and at ecclesial functions at Catholic churches. The various colored capes and chapeau feathers denote different officer positions within the Fourth Degree.

The history of the founding of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus is directly linked to the social and political climate in the United States at the turn of the last century. It is in that light that the connection between the Fourth Degree and its Color Corps, that has grown to be the most visible aspect of the Knights, must be seen.

The idea of adding new degrees to the Order’s original three, (Charity, Unity, and Fraternity) first came to light in 1886. Supreme Knight James T. Mullen appointed a committee to look into forming two new “commander” degrees. That same year the Connecticut Catholic, a local newspaper, carried an advertisement calling members of local Knights of Columbus councils to meet to form a “Uniformed Legion.” The idea for this new unit arose from a growing nation-wide sense of Nationalism, or what we would call today Patriotism. The unknown author in Connecticut was not alone in wanting a visible organization.

Following the Spanish American War, it was decided that there should be one new Degree added based on the principle of Patriotism. In 1899, Edward L. Hearn was elected Supreme Knight and he immediately appointed a committee to establish and format the new Degree to be given the following year.

In order to qualify for this Degree each candidate had to be a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus in good standing for three years, and show evidence of distinctive service to the Order, church, and community. Finally the candidate had to have a letter from his priest stipulating that he had received communion within the past two weeks.

On February 22, 1900, the first Fourth Degree exemplification or degree ceremony was to be held in the Astor Hotel in New York City on February 22, 1900. However, there were so many candidates, that the Exemplification had to be moved to a larger venue. Therefore the site was moved to the Lenox Lyceum. At this first Exemplification of the Fourth Degree 1,100 members of the Knights of Columbus, being in good standing “took their fourth.” The second Exemplification, held in Boston on May 8, 1900 saw another 750 Third Degree knights join the ranks of Knighthood.

In the early years of the Fourth Degree, members met as part of their councils, mostly after meetings. In 1910, during a reorganization of the Order’s leadership, the first Assemblies were created. Additionally the position of Supreme Master was established to lead the Fourth Degree internationally. Vice Supreme Masters lead Provinces and Masters head Districts. This system has spread and flourished as Sir Knights not only serve their local Church through their service to local councils but also their joint efforts in these Assemblies.

The Honor Guard, first called for in 1886 was officially formed in 1902, for ceremonial purposes. Since that time, the uniforms of the Color Corps have varied, however all have shared the similar theme of mariners. Most noticeable in today’s current uniform is the chapeau worn with ostrich feathers.

In the year 2000, the Fourth degree celebrated its 100th anniversary with approximately 252,000 member Sir Knights!!! As of 7/1/2010 membership grew to over 316,000 member Sir Knights!!!