About the 4th Degree | CTRCC

FOURTH DEGREE KNIGHTS

History

In 1886, four years after the Order was established, the Supreme Knight proposed the patriotic degree and the Supreme Board of Directors approved the formation of the Fourth Degree in 1899. Along with the addition of the patriotism to the Knights' principles in 1900 came the first exemplification of the Fourth Degree which was held in NYC on February 22, 1900 with 1,100 brothers becoming Sir Knights.

The Fourth Degree is currently organized into 21 geographical areas referred to as provinces. Our province, named after Our Lady of Guadalupe, encompasses Texas and Oklahoma. The executive officer of the Fourth Degree is the Supreme Master.

The executive officer of the province is the Vice Supreme Master. A province is further divided into districts which usually coincide with state boundaries. Each district is presided over by an executive officer called a Master. Currently there are 7 districts in our province.

The Fourth Degree is the Patriotic Degree of the Knights of Columbus, and it comprises of 17% of the membership of the Order. The distinctive uniform of Sir Knights make them the most visible arm of the Order to the public.

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Purpose

As Fourth Degree Knights, our purpose is to:

Promote and strengthen the patriotic spirit of the civic community,
Educate its members and others, both in the teachings of Holy Mother Church, and the history of the USA,
Promote by example the highest type of citizenship so necessary for the preservation and perpetuation of the Republic form of government and its democratic institutions,
Oppose dissemination and spread of doctrine dangerous and contrary to our form of government, and to the Divine law of faith and morality; and,
Support by word and deed, the duly constituted authorities of local, state, and national government, and to recognize excellence in public life.

The Fourth Degree, both collectively and individually, supports those religious, civic, and charitable causes which are designed to implement one or more of these five objectives.