Membership in the Fourth Degree is open to all third degree Knights in good standing.
The Fourth Degree is known as the visible arm of the Knights
of Columbus. Fourth Degree Knights have the opportunity to become part of your
assembly's color corps. Color corps members are recognized
by the distinctive attire of tuxedo, feathered hat (chapeau), cape and
sword. The color corp uniform is based on the marine officers dress uniform that
existed at the time of the founding of the Knights of Columbus in 1882 by Fr.
Michael J. McGivney. Color corps members regularly take part in civic events
such as parades and wreath-laying ceremonies, and in ecclesial functions at
Catholic churches.
The here components of the Fourth Degree logo are images of the Globe, the Cross and the Dove. The Holy Trinity are represented in these images. The Globe represents God the Father – the creator of the universe, the Isabella Cross represents God the Son – who died on the Cross to redeem the world., and the Dove represents God the Holy Spirit – the Sanctifier of Humanity. The Red, White and Blue colors are the colors of the United States flag and are used to stress the principle of the Fourth Degree – Patriotism.
On
Oct. 2, 1881, a small group of men met in the basement of St. Mary's Church on
Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut. Called together by their 29-year-old
parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, these men formed a fraternal society
that would one day become the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service
organization. They sought strength in solidarity, and security through unity of
purpose and devotion to a holy cause: they vowed to be defenders of their
country, their families and their faith. These men were bound together by the
ideal of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of the Americas, the one whose
hand brought Christianity to the New World. Their efforts came to fruition with
the incorporation of the Knights of Columbus on March 29, 1882. They were
Knights of Columbus.
The
Order has been called "the strong right arm of the Church," and has
been praised by popes, presidents and other world leaders, for support of the
Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement and
aid to those in need.