Fourth Degree

Our Assembly

Lakeville Council members belong to the Mother Teresa Assembly #2812 in Rosemount, which draws Fourth Degree Sir Knights from several area parishes, including All Saints.

Interested in advancing to the Fourth Degree? Contact our council's Advocate, Al Douglass, for exemplification schedules and uniform guidance.

About the Fourth Degree

The Order of the Fourth Degree was established in 1900 for members to publicly acknowledge their commitment to protect the Church and priesthood, defend the faith, and stand against bigotry. The Fourth Degree emphasizes patriotism, honoring God and country with visible service and witness. The ceremonial sword worn in church shows reverence for the Eucharist and respect for the bishop and hierarchy, adding to the beauty and pageantry of our liturgies. They are the Knights on Main Street, the men you probably envision when someone says Knights of Columbus to you. They’re present in their distinct regalia at civic and Church events, acting as honor guards and color corps, or standing in respect at the funerals of members or during adoration of the Eucharist.

But there is more to being a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus than a uniform. They are the men who have chosen to embrace the Order’s fourth principle of patriotism, the men who lead the efforts to reach out to veterans and active military and to embody the fact that one can be a faithful Catholic and also be a faithful citizen. When the Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882, three principles united its members: charity, unity and fraternity. At that time people feared that members of the Catholic faith owed their entire allegiance to the Church and could not be trusted as citizens of their country. Patriotism was added to the Order’s principles in 1900, based on the idea that Knights are loyal to both God and country. Members who wish to live out patriotism together can join “the Fourth Degree.” Members of this degree have the special honor of holding the title “Sir Knight,” participating in color and honor guards and organizing programs that promote Catholic citizenship.

The Serving Those Who Served program is a major initiative of the Fourth Degree supporting Veterans Affairs facilities. The Knights of Columbus has representatives at almost every Veterans Affairs medical clinic in the United States, where they recruit and manage K of C volunteers in developing activities and programs that aid patients’ most essential needs. The Fourth Degree has also supported priests, in particular those who go on to serve as military chaplains. Through a special scholarship program, the Knights helped fund the education of seminarians preparing to become Catholic chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The fourth principle ‘Patriotism,’ commits our members to the preservation of our Church, our Order and to the many nations where Knights serve.