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St. Isaac Jogues Province Chester B. Kulak |
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Knights of Columbus 4th Degree 2nd NJ District 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
Fourth Degree imparts a lesson on the virtue of patriotism. 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. Eligibility…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!!! Get Your Own Web Site! As you have seen, a web site is a great way to communicate with members. This site, as well as the one for the First New Jersey District, is hosted by a company called 1and1. If you are considering a web site for your assembly, feel free to look into what they have to offer. Ignore the Hoaxes. We must fight the good fight and speak out, but let us not go off in wrong directions. Please see these links about some hoaxes circulating the Internet: Crosses on Government Property |
