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4th Degree Update - Contact George Dionne for information. 978-372-0737

** 4th Degree Ceremony **

WHEN: MAY 30th, 2009
WHERE: CROWN PLAZA HOTEL, WORCESTER, MA
CONTACT: George Dionne, 978-372-0737 (Feel free to call with questions).
CANDIDATE INFO: Fee is $75 to cover cost of dinner and installation.
Additional fee of $10 to cover 1 years dues. Tux required!
LADIES LUNCHEON: $25 plus banquet ticket $35 for total of $60.
This is a great event. You really want to make a time of it.
All checks should be made payable to: Father O'Doherty Assembly #391.

George Dionne

PATRIOT
Father James O’Doherty General Assembly
P. O. Box 27
Groveland, MA  01834

JANUARY, 2009

The January meeting will be at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall [St Louis Meeting Room, 1st Frloor] on
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 7:30 pm.

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4th Degree Exemplification

There will be two 4th Degree Exemplifications for the 2008-2009 Fraternal Year.

January 24, 2009 at Fairview Council #4044,Chicopee honoree Former Master Anthony  V. Manzelli

May 30, 2009 at Crown Plaza Hotel, Worcester honoree Rev. Joseph Baggettta Former
State Chaplain and Chaplain for the Metropolitan Youth Services Dept “Chapel of Hope” for troubled youth..
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MEETING SCHEDULE

10/21/2008      Amesbury, Holy Family Parish, Side Hall [St Josephs Hall] 7:30 pm
11/18/2008      Haverhill, All Saints Church , Memorial Mass  7:00 pm start
DEC                No Meeting
1/20/2009        Newburyport, IC Parish Center
2/17/2009        Groveland, St Patricks Church Hall
3/17/2009        Georgetown, St Patricks Celebration
4/21/2009        Haverhill, All Saints Church
5/19/2009        Amesbury, Holy Family Parish Side Hall [St Joseph’s Hall]
6/16/2009        Georgetown Council, Annual Cookout
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PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR FRIENDS WHO DON’T HAVE E-MAIL

About the 4th Degree

Any Third Degree member in good standing, one year after the anniversary of his First Degree, is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree. The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups (called "assemblies"). Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus.

The history of  the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus of is directly linked to the social and political climate in the United States at the turn of the 19th century. It is in that light that the connection between the Fourth Degree and its Color Corps, which has grown to be the most visible aspect of the Knights, must be viewed.

The idea of adding new degrees to the Order's original three, (Charity, Unity, Fraternity) first came about 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, what we call today Patriotism. The unknown author in Connecticut was not alone in wanting a visible organization.

However, little happened at this time because there was not enough wide spread interest in creating additional new degrees. The Order's leaders balked at the idea of a Uniformed Legion for the simple reason that the cost for the "Uniform" was well over $100.00. They feared the "Legion" would cause an economical class split between wealthy and poorer members of the Order.

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.

At that time, in order to qualify for the 4th 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.

The first Exemplification of the new Degree was scheduled to be held in the Astor Hotel in New York City on February 22, 1900. But, there were so many candidates 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 Sir Knights.

In the early years of the Fourth Degree, members met as part of their councils, usually after council meetings. In 1910, during a reorganization of the Order's leadership, the first Assemblies were created. 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, although all have shared the similar theme of mariners. Most noticeable in today's current uniform is the chapeau worn with ostrich feathers.

In 2009, the Fourth degree celebrates its 109th anniversary with over 250,000 member Sir Knights.

The Fourth Degree

History

The Knights of Columbus was founded on March 29, 1882, in New Haven, Connecticut to provide mutual aid and assistance to its members and their families, originally chartered by the State of Connecticut as the “Knights of Columbus of New Haven.”  In 1889, a legislative amendment to the charter authorized the present name: “Knights of Columbus.”  The organization founded by Father McGivney now has 1,200,000 members in councils in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Puerto Rico, Guam and Guatemala.

Originally the order had only three degrees exemplifying the principles of CHARITY, UNITY and FRATERNITY. 

Complying with the wishes of the membership, the Board of Directors approved the Fourth Degree and the first exemplification was held in New York City on February 22, 1900.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism.  To do this the Fourth Degree is designed to strengthen love of country and encourage responsible citizenship.

Membership

In order to be eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree, the applicant must be:

• Over eighteen years of age.
• A citizen of the country in which he resides.
• A Third Degree member in good standing in his council and initiated in the Admission Degree at least twelve months prior to his initiation in the Fourth Degree.

A third Degree member may apply for membership on his own initiative or upon invitation by any Fourth Degree member.

Color Guards

Public appearance of fourth degree Knights as honor guards at civic and religious functions is an important activity of each assembly.  Their colorful capes and plumed headgear add dignity and a pride of church and country to any event.  By these public demonstrations, their loyalties bring credit to themselves and to the Knights of Columbus.

Seven reasons why knights should join the fourth degree

• The fourth Degree is a group of outstanding Knights of Columbus dedicated to promoting patriotism enlightened by the Catholic faith.
• It works for the application of Christian principles in all levels of democratic government.
• It calls upon its members to distinguish themselves with heroic deeds for god, for country and for our Order.
• It supports such religious, civic and charitable causes as are consistent with its high ideals.
• It opposes the institution and development of forces inimical to good Christian government.
• It educates its members and the world at large to be defenders of our democratic institutions.
• It is the highest degree in the Knights of Columbus, giving a greater knowledge and appreciation of our Catholic heritage.