DEGREES OF KNIGHTHOOD

There are four "Degrees" of Knighthood within the Knights of Columbus. The initiation ceremonies into each of these Degrees (the ceremonies themselves are also called "Degrees") are the only facets of the Order which are not made known to non-members.

Each of the Degrees is designed to exemplify one of the four Principals of the Order; Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. The Degrees must be taken in order.  Every applicant must take the First, or Membership Degree before he can be considered a Member of the Knights of Columbus. Once he has taken his First Degree, he becomes a member in good standing in the Order. To reach full Knighthood, members must attain the Third Degrees, and all members are strongly encouraged to do so. Members must be a Third degree Knight to be elected to Council offices or to enter into the Fourth Degree. 

Once a man has been a member of the Knights of Columbus for a year and has taken his Third Degree, he is eligible to join a Fourth Degree Assembly. The Fourth Degree has its own structure separate from that of the Council. Fourth Degree Assemblies gain their membership from Third Degree members of several Councils within a larger geographic area. The most visible members of the Knight of Columbus are often the Fourth Degree Color Corps, with their colorful capes, chapeaux and sabers.

BACK 2K of C

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This information was originally posted by Fr. Rosensteel

Council No. 2169, Silver Spring, Maryland. 

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