History
The 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus was established on February 22, 1900, on the principle of patriotism – love for and devotion to one’s country – and is an important part of the overall Knights of Columbus, a Catholic, family, fraternal, service organization. The primary purposes of the Fourth Degree are to foster the spirit of patriotism and to encourage active Catholic Citizenship. In addition, SK’s of the 4th degree Assemblies actively support the military especially veterans and their many needs.
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.
A 4th Degree Assembly is distinct from a Council and is led by a separate set of elected officers. The Supreme Board of Directors appoints a Supreme Master, currently SK Michael McCusker, and twenty Vice Supreme Masters to govern the Fourth Degree. Each Vice Supreme Master oversees a Province. NE is in the Father Padilla Province, and its Vice Supreme Master is currently Guy R. Steier. The Supreme Master appoints District Masters to supervise several assemblies.
In Nebraska we are made up of the Assemblies in the Archdiocese of Omaha, the Diocese of Lincoln, and the Diocese of Grand Island. Our Master is SK (and PSD) Mark Borysky. There are 38 4th Degree Assemblies in Nebraska.
Each assembly is led by a Navigator. Other elected assembly officers include the Captain, Admiral, Pilot, Scribe, Purser, Comptroller, Sentinels and Trustees. A Friar and Color Corps Commander (CCC) are appointed by the Navigator. Assembly officers are properly addressed as "faithful" (e.g. Faithful Navigator). Assemblies are numbered in the order in which they chartered into the Order and are named by the local membership.
Each Assembly is assigned several Councils from which to draw new 4th degree members and to coordinate “call out activities” of the Color Corps. A Color Corps is maintained by each Assembly and all Fourth Degree Knights are eligible to join the Color Corps. Becoming a Color Corps member of your assembly is a personal choice. It is not a requirement that all 4th degree members join the Color Corps but it is strongly encouraged. The Color Corps is the most visible sign of our Order.
Becoming a 4th degree member is a personal choice. Of over the 2.0 million KofC members fewer than 18% of Knights join the Fourth Degree. There are currently over 370,000 Sir Knights in the Order. A Knight is eligible to join the Fourth Degree any time after becoming a 3rd degree member
Fr Padilla Province Vice Supreme Master
Fr Josh Brown
Mark Borytsky
Leland Weber
