Fourth Degree
Massachusetts District of the Bishop James A. Healy Province


Master John S. McKenzie (Joanne)
123 Berkeley Street, Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 452-1731  Home
(978) 851-7767   Work
E-Mail

Secretary to the Master

 

                                                                                                                  
                     Allan D. MacMullin (Mary)                                               
                                    978-663-4209                                                                 

                                                  E-Mail                                                                                                                                                                     

        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.

                                                    Supreme Master

 

Dennis J. Stoddard, PSD

Dennis J. Stoddard PSD (Linda)
1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510

 

Vice Supreme Master
Bishop Healy Province


     
Richard F. Guerriero  PSD (Trisha)
    8 Kipling Road, S. Weymouth MA 02190
E-Mail

   EXEMPLIFICATIONS - Recipient

November 12th
 

Clarion Hotel
1080 Riverside Street West Springfield, MA

 Honoree TBD

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 28th
 

Cape Codder Resort
Route 132 
Hyannis, MA

Honoree State Deputy Michael Baldner

 

 

 

 

 

                Fourth Degree 
  • History
  • Purpose
  • Rank & Organization
  • Membership
  • Official Dress
  • Honor Guards  
 
History
The Knights of Columbus, founded by Father McGivney on March 29, 1882, was originally chartered by the State of Connecticut as the "Knights of Columbus of New Haven." Its purpose was to provide mutual aid and assistance to its members and their families. In 1889, a legislative amendment to the charter authorized the present name "Knights of Columbus."
Originally the Order had only three degrees, exemplifying the principles of Charity, Unity and Fraternity. As the membership grew, the scope and purpose of the organization increased and became more diversified. Complying with the wishes of the membership, the Supreme Board of Directors approved the Fourth Degree in 1900 and on February 22nd of that year (George Washington's Birthday) the first Exemplification of the Fourth Degree was held in New York City.
Membership in the Patriotic Degree of the Order has flourished over the years.   As of June 30, 2006, there were 297,911 Fourth Degree Knights in 2,659 assemblies.
                                                            Purpose
The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus is to inculcate a love of country and impress the duties of citizenship. Its motto is Patriotism -- a patriotism enlightened and informed by religion.

Rank and Organization

While the Fourth Degree is the highest and the Honorary Degree of the Order, a member must maintain his council membership in good standing in order to retain his Fourth Degree membership.
The Third Degree, through its elected officers, on the Supreme and the State Council levels is the governing body of the Order, with the Supreme Board of Directors, the highest authority. This Board appoints the Supreme Master and the Vice Supreme Masters of the Fourth Degree. A Vice Supreme Master presides over a Province which consists of a number of Districts. The Supreme Master appoints the Master of the District who supervises the Assemblies in his jurisdiction. The Assemblies, in turn, are composed of members of one or more Councils in the Assembly area.

Membership

Applications for membership in the Fourth Degree may be made to any assembly provided the applicant is:
 
  1. Over eighteen years of age.
     
  2. A citizen of the country in which he resides.
     
  3. A Third Degree member in good standing in his council,
    and who was initiated in the Admission (First) Degree at least six months prior to his Exemplification of the Fourth Degree.
     
  4. Or, a former member, whose membership was terminated for failure to pay dues, or by a withdrawal card, if he has been readmitted to good standing in his council, and if he was a Third Degree member for a period of more than six months, prior to his loss of good standing in his council.
     
  5. A practical Catholic in union with the Holy See.

The Exemplification fee is set annually by the Board of Directors and includes a lapel pin, social baldric and one ticket to the Exemplification Banquet. Members of the Clergy are exempt from the payment of initiation fees and Assembly dues.

Official Dress

The official dress of the Fourth Degree is black tuxedo, white pleated formal shirt, black tie and cumberbund, black shoes and socks, black studs and cuff links, white suspenders and white gloves.

The social baldric identifies you as a Brother Knight and must be worn at all social functions. Officers should wear their jewel of office. The service baldric is used whenever the sword is carried. A "simple" American Flag lapel pin should be worn while in uniform.

All Fourth Degree members are encouraged to obtain the full regalia which includes the white plumed chapeaux, red lined cape, service baldric and sword. You will then be ready whenever you are called upon to participate.

 

Honor Guards

One of the most important functions of the Fourth Degree is providing Guards of Honor at Mass, wakes, funerals, dedications and many other civic or patriotic functions. In full Regalia, with colorful capes and plumed chapeaux, the Knights of Columbus are always recognized in any public appearance. These Sir Knights 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.
The colors of the Fourth Degree are:

 

  • Dark Blue - Supreme Master / Former SM
  • Powder Blue - Vice Supreme Master / Former VSM
  • Gold - Master / Former Master
  • White - Faithful Navigator / Former Faithful Navigator
  • Green - District Marshal
  • Purple - Honor Guard Commander
  • Red - Honor Guard

       

Massachusetts Assemblies
# Name Area Councils
388 Archbishop Williams Springfield 63, 90, 100, 160, 183, 376,  480, 1721, 2151, 2212, 3535, 4306, 4794, 5037, 5406, 5585, 5956, 9960, 10195, 10698, 11178, 13043      
389 Bishop Chevrus Cambridge 62, 74, 78, 83, 84, 117, 121, 123, 162, 179, 225, 269, 298, 331, 332, 555, 1513, 2962
390 Father Gabriel Druillette Lynn 70, 76, 215, 498, 508, 1232, 1505, 3856, 12291
391 Father O'Doherty Haverhill 202, 231, 250, 5004, 6064, 13847
392 Bishop William Stang Fall River 86, 295, 3669, 9911, 12283, 12348, 12380
393 Father O'Donnell Lawrence 67, 1078, 3819, 4027, 4544, 7834, 14725
394 Cardinal O'Connell Brockton 93, 129, 200, 238, 488, 1462, 5046, 5683, 6267, 7673
395 Bishop Conaty Pittsfield 103, 230, 314, 411, 513, 2412, 12023
396 Bishop Beaven Fitchburg 99, 317, 374, 396, 406, 2536, 12100
397 Bishop Delany Wilmington 72, 4225, 4336, 4982, 9275, 10877, 13848, 14016
398 Edward Douglas White Attleboro 82, 330, 404, 420, 1847, 5108, 5876, 6063, 10289, 11510, 11690, 11914, 12252
399 Bishop O'Reilly    E-Mail Worcester 85, 88, 118, 1562, 1701, 2379, 2381, 2706, 4181, 5481, 9732, 11020, 11202, 12182, 12691, 12701, 12742, 13455, 13575
400 Edward F. McSweeney Framingham 79, 80, 81, 87, 119, 131, 2121, 4822, 5188, 5231, 5724
401 Bishop Feehan Provincetown 2476, 3384, 7312, 10346
402 Bishop Tyler Hyannis 813, 2525, 2612, 2911, 4139, 9444, 13388
403 Governor David I. Walsh Watertown 94, 147, 155, 167, 1611, 2919, 3011, 3973, 5292, 14091, 14710   
404 St. Pius X Somerville 75, 77, 97, 104, 105, 109, 128, 141, 210, 489, 1031, 3963, 11628
405 Bishop James E. Cassidy Dartmouth 4190, 4373, 4532, 10588
406 Bishop Phillip Garrigan Greenfield 133, 737, 1182, 2135
407 Francis Cardinal Spellman Abington 165, 347, 729, 3716, 4865, 5254, 6649, 11267
408 Bishop Jeremiah F. Minihan Norwood 234, 252, 1319, 2095
409 John F. Kennedy Saugus 175, 1829, 3745, 4682
410 Richard Cardinal Cushing Quincy 2259, 2749, 3089, 4719, 5027
411 Cardinal Medeiros New Bedford 151
1602 Burlington Burlington 4978
1924 John Cardinal Wright Leicester 199, 228, 365, 4158, 4241, 4528, 11080, 11379, 12710,13637
2313 Father Michael J. McGivney Boston 89, 98, 116, 120, 170, 180, 271, 1308, 1538, 2980, 3049, 7335, 11785
2314 Reverend Robert H. Buchan, S.J. Plymouth 223, 1190, 4480, 9822, 10049, 11390
2631 Reverend Daniel A. Doyle Chicopee 69
2670 Fairview Assembly Chicopee  1619,  4044