History of the Fourth Degree
Faithful citizenship, patriotic service, and a lasting commitment to God and country since 1900.
A Tradition of Patriotism
The Fourth Degree is the patriotic degree of the Knights of Columbus. Built upon the Order's principles of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity, it calls members to live the fourth principle—Patriotism—through faithful citizenship, public witness, and service to others.
Fourth Degree members, known as Sir Knights, belong to local assemblies. Their work includes honoring veterans, supporting military families, participating in civic and religious observances, and providing a visible witness to faith and service.
Milestones in Fourth Degree History
The Order Is Founded
Father Michael J. McGivney establishes the Knights of Columbus in New Haven, Connecticut. The original principles of charity, unity and fraternity form the foundation upon which the Fourth Degree later develops.
A Patriotic Degree Takes Shape
As the Order grows, its leaders develop an additional degree devoted to patriotism and faithful citizenship. This work prepares the way for the first Fourth Degree exemplification.
First Fourth Degree Exemplification
The first exemplification takes place in New York City on February 22, Washington’s Birthday. Patriotism becomes the fourth principle of the Knights of Columbus.
Assemblies and Ceremonial Traditions Expand
Fourth Degree membership and local assemblies spread, giving Sir Knights opportunities to participate in patriotic observances, religious ceremonies and community service.
Service During World War I
The Knights of Columbus provides recreation and support to military personnel during the First World War. This work becomes a significant part of the Order’s record of patriotic service; it is an Order-wide initiative, not solely a Fourth Degree program.
Patriotic Witness Between the Wars
Assemblies continue to foster civic participation, remembrance of service members and public expressions of faith and patriotism. Local activities vary by assembly and community.
The Second World War
Knights serve in the armed forces and on the home front during World War II. The Order’s history of military service and remembrance remains closely associated with the Fourth Degree’s patriotic mission.
Honor Guards and Community Service
Fourth Degree assemblies continue participating in commemorations, religious events and patriotic ceremonies. Color Corps traditions become a familiar public expression of the degree.
A Nation Responds to September 11
Following the September 11 attacks, Knights of Columbus members and councils provide charitable assistance and honor those who died. The tragedy renews attention to sacrifice, service and remembrance.
A New Fourth Degree Uniform Is Introduced
The Knights of Columbus announces a new official Fourth Degree uniform, marking a visible change in Color Corps presentation while maintaining the mission of patriotism and service.
Exemplification Aboard Battleship New Jersey
A Fourth Degree exemplification is held aboard Battleship New Jersey in Camden. The official Knights of Columbus video documents the occasion and reports 136 new Sir Knights. See the featured New Jersey section below for links.
125 Years of the Fourth Degree
The Knights of Columbus marks the 125th anniversary of the first exemplification, reflecting on the continuing role of Sir Knights in patriotic service, religious liberty and support for veterans and military families.
Continuing the Patriotic Mission
Assemblies serve through honor guards, remembrance events, veterans’ initiatives and community outreach, carrying forward the Fourth Degree’s tradition of faith and citizenship.
Four Principles, One Brotherhood
Charity
Serving neighbors and families with compassion and practical help.
Unity & Fraternity
Standing together as brothers in faith, friendship, and mutual support.
Patriotism
Honoring country, defending religious liberty, and serving communities with integrity.
The Color Corps and Public Witness
The Fourth Degree Color Corps is among the Order's most recognizable traditions. In official uniform, members serve in honor guards and color guards at appropriate religious, civic, and patriotic occasions. Their presence reflects respect, dignity, and the ideals of the Fourth Degree.
Behind every exemplification is the dedicated work of ceremonial teams and volunteers who help pass these traditions to new generations of Sir Knights.
Fourth Degree Exemplification Aboard Battleship New Jersey
In November 2022, the Second New Jersey District brought a Fourth Degree exemplification to the Battleship New Jersey in Camden. The event connected the Fourth Degree's patriotic mission with the ship's legacy of American military service.
The Knights of Columbus produced a video about the occasion, and the New Jersey State Council retains the original event announcement. Both are valuable records of this moment in New Jersey Fourth Degree history.
Historical note: The 2022 announcement lists November 13 as the scheduled event date; the official video describes the occasion as taking place on Veterans Day. This page therefore uses “November 2022” rather than assigning a specific day.
The Fourth Degree Today
Today, Fourth Degree assemblies continue the patriotic mission through veterans' initiatives, support for active-duty service members and their families, honor guards, civic participation, and charitable works. The Second New Jersey District carries these traditions forward through its assemblies and members.
Historical Sources and Acknowledgments
This independent historical overview draws on published materials from the Knights of Columbus and Columbia magazine. We gratefully acknowledge their work in preserving the history of the Patriotic Degree. Descriptions here are original summaries; visit the linked sources for fuller accounts and historical context.
- 125 Years of Patriotic Service — Columbia magazine
- A Celebration of Catholic Patriotism — Columbia magazine
- Knights of Columbus — Official Website
- Fourth Degree and Military — Official Video Library
- 2022 Battleship New Jersey — Official Video
- 2022 Exemplification — New Jersey Event Announcement
Historical summaries should be reviewed against the linked primary sources before public publication. This page is not an official Knights of Columbus publication and does not reproduce ceremonial material.