Fourth Degree Knights
On February 22, 1900, the first Fourth Degree exemplification or degree ceremony was held in New York City. The Fourth Degree imparts a lesson on the virtue of patriotism. The primary purpose of this degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism in members and the community at large and encourage active Catholic citizenship. Today there are some 300,000 Fourth Degree Knights out of the total 1.6 million member Knights of Columbus.
Local units, called assemblies, draw their members from Knights of Columbus councils. Qualifications for membership in the Fourth Degree are: membership in the Knights for at least six months and being a Third Degree Knight.
Our council’s Fourth Degree members are members of the Bishop Bernard J. Sheil Assembly #2330. Established in 1993 as part of the Chicago Archdiocese, the Bishop Sheil Assembly #2330 was formed from various Councils of the Bishop Boylan Assembly #198, Woodstock, Illinois, of the Rockford Diocese and of the Bishop Hillenger Assembly #1595, Niles, Illinois, of the Chicago Archdiocese.
The Bishop Sheil Assembly #2330 includes members from the following Councils: Queen of Peace #3954, Lake Zurich; Holy Ghost #4977, Palatine; Hoffman-Schaumburg #6964, Hoffman Estates; St. Marcelline #7694, Schaumburg;St. Peter Damian #8694, Bartlett; Holy Family 11981, Inverness; Mary’s Millennium #12801, Streamwood; Immaculate Mary of St. Ansgar #14435, Hanover Park.
A Fourth Degree Knight may become part of the assembly's color corps. These members are recognized widely by their distinctive attire of tuxedo, feathered hat (chapeau), cape and sword. These members regularly take part in Confirmations in the Chicago Archdiocese; Fallen Knight Wakes and Funerals at Local Funeral Homes and Churches; Memorial Day Masses at Various Catholic Cemeteries; Fourth of July Parades in Various Communities; September Fest in Schaumburg; Columbus Day Mass and Parade in Chicago; St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Chicago; Fourth Degree Exemplifications; Special Olympic Ceremonies; Mass at the KOC Convention; and other religious and civic events. The various colored capes and chapeau feathers denote different officer positions within the Fourth Degree.
For more detailed information and to apply, please contact our council’s Fourth Degree Representative.