Exemplification hosted at Topeka, Kansas on Saturday - April 15, 2023 

Pat Winchester, District Master of the Fourth Degree in Kansas, would like to announce a live and in person Fourth Degree Exemplification on Saturday, April 15, in Topeka, Kansas. This Degree will be the first live Degree Exemplification in Kansas since March of 2020! All 3rd Degree members are eligible to join the Fourth Degree. 

The Topeka Exemplification Information and Registration Form may be found by clicking here. This form must be printed, filled out, and mailed, along with the corresponding fees, via United States Postal Service to: Sir Knight FC Jack Figgs, 1158 SW Randolph Ave, Topeka, Ks 66604. Do to banquet catering requirements, the deadline for registration is March 25, 2023. All questions and concerns should be sent to: District Master Pat Winchester at: [email protected].

What is the Patriotic Degree?

The first Patriotic Degree exemplification was held in New York City, on February 22, 1900. The ritual added patriotism to the three principles of the Order: charity, unity and fraternity. Any Knighting Degree member in good standing is eligible for membership in the Patriotic Degree.

The primary purpose of the Patriotic 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 Patriotic Degree groups (called “assemblies”). Patriotic Degree members must retain their membership as Knighting Degree members in their locals council to remain in good standing.

Certain members of the Patriotic Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus.

Pictured at the top of this page is the Patriotic Degree Emblem. Bearers of this emblem are committed to conduct themselves honorably as Christian gentlemen in their private and public lives, as well as acting patriotically for the good of their nations. Likewise, the Patriotic Degree sword represents the bearer’s reverence for the Eucharist and the Pope, bishops and hierarchy of the Church, and displays publicly his willingness to protect his Church and priests.

Identifying Rank With The New Uniform

When wearing the new uniform, rank will be identified by a color patch that will be placed behind the 4th Degree emblem on the beret. The patch colors are as follows:
Purple for Color Corps Commander
White for Faithful Navigator or Past Faithful Navigator
Green for District Marshal
Gold for District Master
Light Blue for Vice Supreme Master
 
Members that currently use the red-lined regalia cape will not be issued a color patch for their beret. The patch WILL NOT be included with your new uniform from Knights Gear (www.knightsgear.com) You must first order your uniform from Knights Gear, then you can order your patch. Do not order the patch first. Patches will only be sent to those who have already ordered the uniform. The color patch will be fulfilled directly from the Supreme Office with instructions on attaching it to the beret. Knights Gear WILL NOT be providing these patches. To obtain your color patch Send an email to [email protected] AFTER you have ordered your uniform In the Subject line of the email, type “Color Patch for Uniform Requested” In the body of the email, list your request for a patch, your membership number, your office/rank plus the color of patch you are requesting.

Our Safe Environment Program safeguards children and other vulnerable persons, assures members and their families that we maintain a safe environment, protects members from awkward situations, misunderstandings, and appearances of impropriety, builds trust with arch/dioceses and parishes, and protects the good name of the Knights of Columbus.

Three training modules are required for members serving in youth leader and certain officer roles: “Meet Sam,”addressing the issue of sexual abuse awareness, “Duty to Report,”covering legal reporting obligations, and “Know Your Policies,”a review of Knights of Columbus safe environment policies. We also maintain a youth leader screening process, including background checks, specifically for members who lead Knights of Columbus youth activities.

Please click on link below to access Supreme Councils webpage for more information and what positions are required to acquire this training:

http://www.kofc.org/un/en/members/programs/youth-activities/safe-environment-program.html

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