125 Years of Patriotic Service

April 1, 2025

The history of the Fourth Degree is marked by significant contributions to the Church and society

By Columbia staff

April 1, 2025

Massachusetts Knights and Supreme Knight Edward L. Hearn (front, center) after the first-ever Fourth Degree exemplification on Feb. 22, 1900 — Charter members of the Massachusetts District, including Supreme Knight Edward L. Hearn (front, center), are pictured after the first-ever Fourth Degree exemplification, in New York City on Feb. 22, 1900. (Knights of Columbus Multimedia Archives)

Ever since the Fourth Degree was established in 1900, its members have witnessed to the fact that faithful Catholics are faithful citizens. John H. Reddin of Denver, the first supreme master, wrote in The Columbiad, “The Fourth Degree is a distinctive factor in the social and moral life of the country. … It seeks by the spread of intelligence and of the knowledge of the moral code of the Catholic Church to make a lasting foundation for civil society and civil government.”

Through its dedicated witness to the principle of patriotism, the Fourth Degree has been instrumental in the Order’s fostering of civic pride and virtue, its solidarity with service members, and its defense of religious liberty and the right to life. What follows is a timeline of some of the notable milestones in this illustrious history.

1886 — Knights of Columbus Board of Directors considers additional fourth and possibly fifth degrees.

1899 — Supreme Knight Edward L. Hearn forms a committee to develop a new degree. In August, board approves ceremonial with Catholic citizenship as its theme. Qualifications are membership in the Order for at least three years and meritorious service to Church and community.

Feb. 22, 1900 — Inaugural Fourth Degree exemplification takes place on Washington’s Birthday in New York City at the Lenox Lyceum with 1,100 Knights present.

1900-1910 — Fourth Degree districts are formed, each headed by a master appointed by the board of directors. The uniform is styled according to formal wear of the day. Sir Knights carry a sword with cross-handle grip signifying Catholic knighthood.

July 14, 1907 — Canada’s first Fourth Degree exemplification held in Montréal.

July 1910 — John H. Reddin, who from 1908-1910 led a board- appointed committee to revise the Fourth Degree ceremonial and laws, is named first supreme master.

1912 — Sir Knights lead a great parade of patriotic and civic societies at the dedication of the Columbus Memorial in Washington, D.C.

April 12, 1917 — Upon U.S. entry in World War I, the Supreme Assembly sends telegram to President Woodrow Wilson swearing members’ “allegiance to our Constitution and flag.”

Nov. 3, 1917 — Supreme Assembly contributes $10,000 to the Knights of Columbus Committee on War Activities.

May 5, 1918 — Mexico’s first Fourth Degree exemplification takes place in Mexico City.

1920s — Members of the patriotic degree in Mexico and the United States support education campaigns in opposition to the Mexican government’s anti-Catholic persecution and propaganda.

May 28, 1921 — Supreme Assembly establishes the Knights of Columbus Historical Commission “to correct historical errors and omissions, to amplify and preserve our national history, to exalt and perpetuate American ideals ….”

1924 — In promotion of patriotism, the Supreme Assembly establishes an annual essay contest for the nation’s youth.

A flag bearer wearing an American Expeditionary Forces uniform leads a Fourth Degree honor guard in the Armistice Day Parade in Taylor, Texas, on Nov. 11, 1925. (Knights of Columbus Multimedia Archives)

1930s — Fourth Degree Knights help lead an education campaign advocating for truth and justice to oppose the ideology of atheistic Communism.

September 1939 — Canadian Knights, including leaders of the Fourth Degree, begin organizing a K of C Huts program within two weeks of Canada’s entry in World War II, providing service members moral and recreational support.

January 1942 — One month after the Pearl Harbor attack, Supreme Master Timothy Galvin introduces a new program titled “America Fights for God-Given Rights,” to boost the nation’s morale.

Dec. 2, 1949 — Philippines hosts its first Fourth Degree exemplification with 160 candidates in Manila.

1950 — The Fourth Degree celebrates Golden Jubilee.

April 1951 — The board of directors mandates that assemblies include “under God” when reciting the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance, three years before the change is passed into law.

1966 — The Fourth Degree Pro Deo and Pro Patria Scholarship Fund is established.

1970 — The constitution of the Fourth Degree indicates official regalia for color corps to be a Navy-type chapeau, cape, service baldric and silver sword.

1976 — The Fourth Degree provides support for the Fund for Religious Liberties.

1983 — Supreme Assembly gives a $50,000 grant to the U.S. military ordinariate to establish an office to minister to chaplains, service members, personnel and families, and embassy staff in Europe.

June 19, 1983 — Some 350 Fourth Degree Knights form an honor guard during a Holy Year pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Supreme Chaplain Bishop Charles P. Greco consecrates the second century of the Order to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

1984 — Supreme Assembly contributes $20,000 to the military vicariate of Canada to provide for the spiritual needs of service members.

1985 — “To Be a Patriot” Award established to recognize the top three outstanding assembly programs annually.

1987 — The Fourth Degree raises nearly $450,000 and provides balance of $1 million to help restore the Statue of Liberty.

1993 — The Fourth Degree donates $100,000 for the restoration of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Denver to commemorate Pope John Paul II’s participation in World Youth Day and in tribute to John H. Reddin. Two years later, another $100,000 is donated to help rebuild the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Oklahoma City damaged during the terrorist bombing of a federal building.

October 1995 — Fourth Degree Knights participate in honor guards during Pope John Paul II’s U.S. visit, including a papal Mass at Aqueduct Race Track in New York City, which was co-hosted by the Diocese of Brooklyn and the Knights of Columbus.

February 2000 — Fourth Degree commences centennial celebration. U.S. assemblies plan $500,000 fundraising campaign for a National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Then-Supreme Master Dennis J. Stoddard (front, right), joined by Supreme Director James R. Scroggin (left), Former Supreme Director Javier G. Najera, and Supreme Director Paul J. Lambert (not visible) carry the original statue of Our Lady of Fatima through St. Peter’s Square. The event took place during the Year of Faith “Marian Day,” Oct. 13, 2013, and was followed by Mass celebrated by Pope Francis. It was the first time that a Fourth Degree honor guard was invited to participate in a papal event in St. Peter’s Square. (Photo by *L’Osservatore Romano*)

2001 — Fourth Degree Knights in Canada log thousands of miles as honor guards for two special pilgrimages in the country — accompanying the relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and the World Youth Day Cross in anticipation of World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto.

September 2001 — Within 24 hours of the 9/11 attacks, the Supreme Council establishes the Heroes Fund for families of first responders who were killed, with Fourth Degree assemblies leading fundraising efforts.

September 2002 — More than 1,000 Fourth Degree Knights participate in the Day of Remembrance Mass and patriotic program at the Basilica of the National Shrine to commemorate the first anniversary of 9/11.

2003 — “Serving Those Who Served” program launched to provide support to veterans at area Veterans Affairs medical facilities. With support from Fourth Degree Knights, the Order publishes the first edition of Armed with the Faith prayer booklets for military service members.

2003 — Fourth Degree honor guards are present for each stop of a pilgrimage, spanning more than 20 U.S. dioceses, of a relic from the tilma of St. Juan Diego.

May 2004 — Supreme Master Nestor Barber leads a delegation to the dedication of the National World War II Memorial in Washington. Fourth Degree Knights raised and donated more than $520,000 toward the memorial’s construction.

June 2005 — Months before the Order’s expansion to Poland, a delegation of Fourth Degree Knights led by Supreme Knight Carl Anderson provide an honor guard at the third National Eucharistic Congress in Warsaw.

2006 — The Knights of Columbus United States Flag Manual is published, becoming the definitive guide for Fourth Degree color corps in the United States.

2007 — Membership in the Fourth Degree surpasses 300,000. Assemblies undertake a fundraising effort to raise $500,000 for the new Knights of Columbus Incarnation Dome at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

April 2008 — Fourth Degree Knights provide honor guards for events during Pope Benedict XVI’s U.S. visit, including a welcoming ceremony at the White House and papal Mass at Yankee Stadium.

2011 — The Fourth Degree begins working with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network in conducting citizenship seminars for immigrants.

Nov. 11, 2011 — Poland’s first Fourth Degree exemplification is held at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków.

2012 — With the addition of 64 new assemblies, more than 3,000 assemblies are active worldwide.

April 25, 2012 — A historic Fourth Degree exemplification takes place in Yongsan, South Korea, during Supreme Knight Anderson’s visit to the country.

2013 — Fourth Degree assemblies raise more than $530,000 to support priestly vocations for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, through the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program.

May 2013 — Fourth Degree honor guards participate in the first annual Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage. Some 160 active-duty and retired military personnel, injured veterans and family members attend with support from the Knights and the military archdiocese.

2016 — Membership in the Fourth Degree exceeds 350,000.

August 2017 — The current Fourth Degree uniform is introduced, featuring a blue blazer, blue tie and black beret — all with the Fourth Degree emblem — worn with a white shirt and dark gray slacks.

2018 — The Fourth Degree’s support for the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program surpasses $2 million.

2019 — Fourth Degree Knights provide honor guards throughout the “Heart of a Priest” pilgrimage — an eight-month nationwide relic tour of the heart of St. Jean Vianney, organized by the Knights.

May 27, 2022 — The Fourth Degree is established in Ukraine, with 100 delegates and chaplains receiving the degree in Bryukhovychi. During his first visit to the country just one month earlier, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly gave State Deputy Youriy Maletskiy authority to induct Ukrainian Knights into the patriotic degree.

March 2023 — Knights of Columbus Board of Directors elects Michael McCusker, a U.S. Army veteran and past state deputy of Tennessee, to succeed Supreme Master Dennis Stoddard, who is accorded the title “Supreme Master Emeritus” for his record of distinguished service.

Feb. 22, 2025 — The Order celebrates the 125th anniversary of the Fourth Degree at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, with the blessing of a bronze statue of Blessed Michael McGivney, gifted to the cathedral by the Fourth Degree, followed by the presentation of a revised Exemplification of Patriotism.

A Holy Names sister instructs students at St. Mary’s Academy & College in Portland, Ore., circa 1915.

125 Years of Patriotic Service

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