Fourth Degree
Be Proud You Are A Sir Knight – Wear Your Emblem With Dignity And Just Pride
The 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus is the highest and most prestigious degree, focusing on the principle of patriotism. Members of this degree, known as “Sir Knights,” are dedicated to promoting responsible citizenship, supporting veterans, and serving the Church and community, often appearing in honor guards.
Key aspects of the 4th Degree include:
- Patriotic Focus: Known as the “Patriotic Degree,” it centers on love for country and active Catholic citizenship.
- The Color Corps: Members may join the Color Corps, known for their distinctive regalia at civic and religious events.
- Assembly Structure: Members belong to local 4th Degree Assemblies, which are separate from traditional councils.
- Eligibility: Must be a Third Degree member in good standing to join.
The K of C 4th degree is an extension of the 3rd degree. Members of the 3rd degree belong to a local Council whereas members of the 4th degree not only belong to their respective Council but are also members of a 4th degree Assembly. The title “Sir Knight” is bestowed on a member once he is “dubbed with a sword” during the 4th degree exemplification. All Sir Knights of the 4th degree are 3rd degree members in good standing.
The triad emblem of the Fourth Degree features the Dove, the Cross, and the Globe
The Dove – classic symbol of the Holy Spirit and Peace – is shown hovering over the orb of the earth (Globe). Both are mounted on a variation of the Crusader’s Cross-that which was found on the tunics and capes of the Crusading Knights who battled to regain the Holy Land from the pagans. Our honored Order cherishes as its patron Christopher Columbus. Christopher – Christ Bearer, Columbus – Dove of Peace, symbolizing the Paraclete. Spiritually, the sacred symbols on the emblem typify the Union of the three Divine Persons in one Godhead – the most Blessed Trinity. The Globe – God the Father, Creator of the Universe; The Cross – God the Son, Redeemer of Mankind; The Dove – God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of Humanity.
The colors of the symbols are: a blue Globe with the lands of the Western Hemisphere in white, a red Cross with gold borders and gold knobs at the ends of the points forming the ends of the arms of the Cross (also known as the Isabella Cross), a white Dove. Red, white, and blue are the colors of the flag of the country in which our Order originated; and are used to stress the basic principle of the Fourth Degree —PATRIOTISM.
Fourth Degree Events
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History of Rev. Dan MacDonald Assembly 2323 Trenton
Assembly 2323 in Trenton was named after Rev Dan MacDonald, and chartered on July 31st, 1993.
Prior to the chartering of Assembly 2323, Council 2438 Sir Knights were members of the Genoa Assembly in Belleville.
The first Executive of the Assembly were:
Faithful Navigator – Robert J Haker
Faithful Controller – Bart J Moher
Faithful Friar – Rev Justin J Hanly
Faithful Captain – Dennis N Hersey
Faithful Admiral – Gerard Claveau
Faithful Purser – Joseph Sopas
Faithful Pilot – Brain MacDonald
Faithful Scribe – Jules J Hubert
Faithful Commander – Neil F Robertson
Sentinels – Denis J Antille and Ernie Clark
Trustees – John H Nolan, L Joseph Bourgeois, Frank H McKnight
The Charter Members were:
Frank J Barry, John J Bonn, Robert P Bourgoin, Hugh P Branch, Bernard C Byrne, Michael M Cowan, Patrick J Dobson, Robert E Donovan, Cornelius O Fontyn, Charles B Forestell, Leopold F Gagnon, Francis J Gannon, Anthony J Haker, Rev. Timothy G Harrison, Kevin J Hazelton, John L Howe, Kevin J Hutchings, Joseph H Lemoire, Brian E Lynch, Alex MacDonald, Ronald R Maxfield, Rev, Joseph A McAuley, Thomas M McNamara, William R Menzies, James J Mosco, Wade A Nelson, Thomas R Nobles, Wilbert G O’Donnell, Hugh P O’Neil, John J O’Neill, Wilfred C Palmer, Emerich E Pohl, Charles A Prince, Rev. Richard A Racine, Kevin C Rector, Yvon R Richard, Gary J Tapp, Stanley J Thompson, Jacob Vanderlinden, Gabriel Van der Loop, Christopher H Verheyen, Wilfrid J Wilkinson
Supreme Master – Darrel W Beck
Executive July 2024 – June 2026
Faithful Navigator: Anthony Kester
Faithful Navigator: dd3@ontariokofc.ca
Past Faithful Navigators
Robert J Haker (1993 to 1994)
Dennis Hersey (1994 to 1996)
Denis J Antille (1996to 1997)
Neil F Robertson (1997 to 1999)
James Mosco (1999 to 2001)
Elmer McCarty (2001 to 2003)
Wade Nelson (2003 to 2005)
Robert Forder (2005 to 2007)
Robert O’Neill (2007 to 2009)
John Cardinal (2009 to 2011)
Michael Muzzerall (2011 to 2013)
Anthony Kester (2013 to 2015)
Joseph Manfredi (2015 to 2019)
Germain Loignon (Jul 9/2019 to Aug 19/2019)
Michael Muzzerall (Aug 20/2019 to 2023)
Robert Vesterfelt (2023 to 2024)
Anthony Kester (2024 to 2026)