Order Introduces a Historic Change to the Four Degree Uniform

At the opening Mass of the 135th Supreme Convention in St. Louis, the Order's vice supreme masters processed wearing the new uniform of the Fourth Degree: a blue blazer, blue tie and a black beret - all with the Fourth Degree emblem - worn with a white shirt and dark gray slacks.

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson officially announced the change in his annual report that afternoon.

Weeks earlier, the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors unanimously voted to adopt the new uniform for the Fourth Degree. The decision was made with the good of the entire Order in mind and was based on the following factors:

1. Our Fourth Degree's aging membership;
2. The slow growth of the Fourth Degree (fewer than 20 percent of Knights are Fourth Degree members, and only a fraction of that number serve for honor guards);
3. Consistent reports that the old regalia presented a barrier to Fourth Degree membership.

Understandably, some members may prefer the old regalia, but the supreme master and vice supreme masters urge all Fourth Degree members to put the good and unity of the Order before personal preference.

Likewise, during the convention, the Good of the Order Committee stated: "We commend all of the faithful Sir Knights who have proudly worn the Fourth Degree regalia, bringing much respect to the Order. With the new Fourth Degree uniform, recently approved by the Board of Directors, this honor and respect associated with Sir Knights will remain, and it will open the door more widely for a new generation to join their ranks. In a spirit of unity, let us assist with a smooth transition to this new uniform and encourage it to be worn with great dignity and pride."

Below are frequently asked questions that have arisen concerning this change.

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Questions and Answers

Q: Will the new uniform allow the use of ceremonial swords?

A: Yes. Ceremonial swords will continue to be part of the Fourth Degree. When swords are used, gloves should also be worn.

Q: How will rank be distinguished?

A: Colored patches will be worn on the beret behind the Fourth Degree emblem as follows: Dark Blue — Supreme Master

Light Blue — Vice Supreme Master

Gold — District Master

Green — District Marshals

White — Faithful Navigators

Purple — Color Corp Commanders

Q: Where can I buy the new uniform?

A: The uniform and uniform replacements can be purchase on the Knights of Columbus Uniform website located at:

https://www.kofcuniform.com/

They are located at:

Knights of Columbus Uniforms
230 Supply Room Road
Oxford, Al 36203

Phone: (833) 562-4327
Fax: (256) 835-7699

Q: Is the Order making money on the new uniform?

A: No, the uniform is being sold at (or sometimes below) cost.

Q: Can the old regalia still be worn?

A: No. As of July 1, 2019, only the new uniform should be worn.

Q: Was the new uniform field tested prior to its release?

A: Yes. The new uniform was field tested by Fourth Degree members attending the Warriors to Lourdes pilgrimage.

Q: Who made this decision?

A: The board of directors made this decision earlier after a three-year period of testing and discussion. In addition, the change was previously discussed with the vice supreme masters at the Supreme Assembly.

Q: Did members have input on this?

A: For years, supreme officers and directors have received comments from members and prospective members that the old regalia was a barrier either to membership in general or to membership in the Fourth Degree.

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Laws and Rules of the Order
Governing the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus

Official Dress Uniform- Section 38

Section 38. Official Dress Uniform.

1. The official dress for the Fourth Degree shall be:
   1. Navy Blue Blazer with Fourth Degree Emblem Blazer Crest
   2. Knights of Columbus Emblem of the Order buttons
   3. Official Fourth Degree Gray trousers (no cuffs)
   4. Official Fourth Degree Necktie
   5. Official Fourth Degree Black Beret with Fourth Degree metal badge over appropriate colored patch of the office, as described in Section 38(c)
   6. Plain White Dress Shirt – Button cuff (no French cuffs – no button down collar shirts)
   7. Black Socks and Plain Black Shoes
   8. Official Fourth Degree Lapel Pin (#PG-113)
   9. Incumbent Medal of Office
   10. Past and Former Miniature Medals above left pocket
   
   
2. A member serving in the armed forces of his country, full time police and firefighters shall be considered in proper attire when dressed in a Class A or dress uniform.
   
   
3. The colored patches to be used are as follows:
   1. Supreme Master–Dark Blue Patch on his beret.(Pantone # 19-4035 TC.)
   2. Vice Supreme Master–Light Blue Patch on his beret. (Pantone # 14-4313 TC.)
   3. District Master–Gold Patch on his beret. (Pantone # 13-0941 TC.)
   4. Faithful Navigator–White Patch on his beret. (Pantone # 11-0601 TC.)
   5. District Marshal–Green Patch on his beret. (Pantone # 18-5315 TC.)
   6. Assembly Commander–Purple Patch on his beret. (Pantone # 19-3542 TC.)
   
   
4. The colors worn by the Supreme Master, Vice Supreme Masters, Masters and Faithful Navigators may continue to be worn by such officers following their completion of service in that office, for life. This does not apply to Assembly Color Corps Commanders and District Marshals when they complete a term.
   
   
5. These colors shall be mandatory June 10, 2017.

Official Dress Uniform- Section 39

1. For a candidate: black or dark (blue or grey) business suit with black shoes, plain white dress shirt as described above, necktie, and candidate identification.
   
   
2. For a candidate serving in the armed forces of his country, full time police and firefighters: a Class A or dress uniform.
   
   
3. The social baldric, presented at the exemplification. should only be worn at functions when the Fourth Degree member is dressed in a business suit or tuxedo. The social baldric is not worn with the official dress uniform. For honor guard: official dress uniform as set forth in section 38.
   
   
4. For honor guard: official dress uniform as set forth in section 38.

Dress for Exemplification - Section 40

1. The official regalia when serving in a Color Corps (Honor Guard or Color Guard) is the same as the official
   1. Service baldric worn over the coat, from right shoulder to left hip; and Silver sword.
   2. The Supreme Master, Vice Supreme Masters, Masters and former such officers only shall be permitted to bear the gold sword; and White gloves.

Color Corp - Section 41

1. Assembly may henceforth establish a uniform drill corps with the approval of the Master of the District and such unit shall be known as "Fourth Degree Color Corps of __________ Assembly."
2. A Color Corps may participate in exemplifications, religious and public functions only with the consent of the Master. The Master shall have full control of the Color Corps in his district, except as hereinafter provided and shall be held strictly accountable for such unit.
3. The Faithful Navigator shall appoint a Commander of the Color Corps for his Assembly. One and only one Commander shall be appointed.

Procedure and Manual of the Sword - Section 42

The procedure and Manual of the Sword shall be in accordance with the "Color Corps Drill Manual." In the absence of such directive the District Master has full control provided, however, that he first receives approval of such procedure from the Supreme Master.