Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to
Practical
Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who shall not be less
than 18 years of age on their last birthday.
A Practical Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of
God and the precepts of the Church. Application blanks are
available from any member of the Knights of Columbus. Every
Knight is happy to propose eligible Catholic men for
consideration as members. Acceptance of the applicant depends
upon a vote of the members of the subordinate council in which he
is making application.
All priests and religious brothers having duly made application
for membership and participated in the ceremonials become
honorary life members of the Order and are exempt from payment of
dues.
Application for membership must be made through the council in
the community nearest the applicant's place of residence.
Interested prospects without a permanent domicile, such as men
temporarily away from home through duty in the armed forces, may
make application through their hometown councilor at the nearest
council on a military base.
If favorably voted upon, the applicant becomes a member by
initiation known as the First Degree. He subsequently is advanced
through the Second Degree and the Third Degree.
There are modest initiation fees and dues set by subordinate
councils under regulations established by the Supreme Council.
The insurance privileges are available to all members who can
qualify, which represents an important advantage of membership.
For men in every walk of life the name Knights of Columbus
engenders the image of a united organization, efficiently going
about it tasks of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism and
defense of the priesthood. It is composed of men who are giving
unselfishly of their time and talents in service of God and their
country.
Membership in the Knights of Columbus provides opportunity for
wholesome association with congenial companions who are, first of
all, Practical Catholic gentlemen. It offers the opportunity for
fellowship with those who are of the same belief, who recognize
the same duty to God, to family and to neighbor and who stand
side by side in defense of those beliefs.
Programs are so organized as to appeal to the individual interest
of the members. Through many constructive activities of Christian
fraternity, members are enabled to render service to their
Church, their country and their fellowman. Through membership
they develop a consciousness of their ability to lead and to
assist.
Organized Columbianism, united behind the individual Knight of
Columbus, provides the power of an intelligent, alert body of
Catholic men--a strength which the individual by himself cannot
achieve.
Knights of Columbus has a proud heritage. The qualified Catholic
man can share in that heritage and build an even greater future
by affiliating himself with this forceful, effective body.
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. The qualifications for membership in the Fourth Degree are: membership in the Knights for at least one year and being a Third Degree Knight.
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 civic events such as parades and wreath-laying ceremonies, and at ecclesial functions at Catholic churches. The various colored capes and chapeau feathers denote different officer positions within the Fourth Degree.
Fourth Degree members of Father Emil Kapaun Council #3744
belong to the Father Hawe Assembly #045. Meetings for the Father Hawe
Assembly are on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 8:00 PM. Meetings
are held in the Queen Of Martyrs Knights of
Columbus Council #4567 hall in Manhattan Beach, 224 1/2 S. Sepulveda, Manhattan
Beach.