Color Corps
Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as Color Guards and Honor Guards at civic and religious functions.
Fourth Degree:
Sir Knights of the Fourth Degree, deem it an honor and privilege to carry our TRIAD EMBLEM, which features The Dove, The Cross, and The Globe. Our Honored Order cherishes as its Patron, Christopher Columbus.
Color Corps:
The Color Corps is an ELECTIVE division of the Fourth Degree, whose distinctive presence in parades, wreath-laying ceremonies, Confirmations and other Catholic functions is a visible reminder of our service to the community. The tuxedo, chapeau, cape and sword worn by the Color Corps were inspired by 19th century naval uniforms, with different cape colors representing nine different program ranks. The ceremonial sword symbolizes Christian Knighthood, and is carried to signify reverence to Church, Eucharist, country and freedom.
Membership:
The Fourth Degree ritual added patriotism to the three original principles of the Order: charity, unity and fraternity. Any Third Degree member in good standing, with at least six months membership in the order - 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. Fourth Degree members must retain their membership as Third Degree members in the local council to remain in good standing.
Color Corps
- Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as Color Guards and Honor Guards at civic and religious functions, an activity which has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus organization. Honor Guardsmen have mastered the "Manual of the Swordsmen".
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HISTORY OF SWORD
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Explanation of the colors of capes and chapeau worn by the Fourth Degree when in full regalia, and what these colors signify. They are as follows:
Vice Supreme Master Light Blue Master Gold District Marshal Green Color Corp Commander Purple Faithful Navigator White General Membership Red Cape-White Plumes Once a Sir Knight attains an office, he is entitled to wear the colors of that office until elected or appointed to a higher office, except for the Marshal [appointed by the Master of District] and the Color Corps Commanders [appointed by the Faithful Navigator] who are appointed for a specific term and then revert to their previous colors when that term expires.
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Vice-Supreme Master |
Master |
District Marshall District Commander |
Color Corp Commander |
Faithful Navigator |
Color Corp Member |
- When a Fourth Degree Member of Color Corps Member is dressed in his tuxedo, there are seven miniature jewels he may wear if he validly holds the title of a Past or Former Officer. Six of the seven jewels are shown below. The one for Former Supreme Director is missing. They are from left to right:
Past
State Deputy
Former District Deputy
Past Grand Knight
Past Faithful Navigator
Former Master
Former Vice-Supreme Master
Color Corps
The Color Corps members exemplify all the principles of our Order:
·
Charity
- by the gift of their time and energies necessary to practice, perfect and
perform the ceremonials and sword drill;
·
Unity
– by the united efforts of Sir Knights to practice and perfect a coordinated
drill for the good of the Church and the Order;
·
Fraternity
– by expressing an “Esprit de Corps,” sharing a common desire for drill
excellence and camaraderie; and
·
Patriotism
– by performing precision drill as a salute to God and to country and visually
exhibiting a love for both.
K of C Fourth Degree
Fourth Degree Southern Calif. District
