Celebrating 125 Years of Patriotism Through the Fourth Degree

WHEREAS, amidst the bigotry and religious intolerance faced by Catholics in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Supreme Council determined it was necessary to institute a fourth degree to further Father Michael McGivney’s vision of Catholic men demonstrating the virtues of patriotism and strong citizenship; and

WHEREAS, this vision came to fruition when the first Fourth Degree exemplification was held at the Lyceum in New York City on February 22, 1900, with more than one-thousand candidates; and

WHEREAS, the patriotic arm of the Order has demonstrated steadfast Catholic patriotism in the defense of religious liberties, the continuous support of active-duty military personnel, and a dedication to bringing healing to countless wounded veterans through the Warriors to Lourdes program in conjunction with the International Military Pilgrimage (PMI); and

WHEREAS, the Fourth Degree has stood foursquare in support of the military through various charitable programs including the Blessed Michael J. McGivney Military Chaplain Scholarship, which has raised more than $2.3 million to answer a great need for Catholic military chaplains through the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA; and

WHEREAS, the Fourth Degree has stood for a century and a quarter as the visible arm of the Order through the majestic display of the Color Corps and its honor guards by rendering respect to clergy, by standing in solemn vigil at the graves of brother Knights, and by exemplifying the principle of patriotism through a consistent, faith-based demonstration of Catholic citizenship; and

WHEREAS, on February 22, 2025, the Knights of Columbus celebrated the 125th Anniversary of the Patriotic Degree with a day of prayer and celebration at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City which featured the newly revised Exemplification of Patriotism for a class of 645 new Sir Knights, and the dedication of a statue of Blessed Michael McGivney by the renowned sculptor Chas Fagan which now resides in the cathedral’s St. Joseph’s Chapel.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Knights of Columbus recommits itself to the principle of patriotism in all countries where it is active, to demonstrate that the duty to one’s country is both an expression of our Columbian Principles and devotion to our Heavenly Father; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Knights of Columbus conveys its profound gratitude to the Archbishop of New York, His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, for serving as host and participating in the celebrations for the quasquicentennial of the Patriotic Degree, and to the clergy and staff of St. Patrick’s Cathedral for their collaboration and support in marking this important milestone; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Order expresses its great appreciation to all those who dedicated countless hours to the revision of the Fourth Degree ceremonial, especially Past Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Master Michael R. McCusker, and Former Supreme Master Dennis J. Stoddard, all of whom collaborated to ensure that the important message of Catholicism’s complementarity with, and call to, the principle of patriotism continues to resonate with new Sir Knights for generations to come.

Celebrating 125 Years of Patriotism Through the Fourth Degree

Resolutions