Who we areThe Patriotic Degree
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal order founded in 1882 to look after families who had lost a breadwinner. The Fourth Degree is its patriotic degree — the one you will have seen in capes and chapeaux, and now in blazers and berets, at confirmations, funerals and civic ceremonies.
A Fourth Degree assembly draws its members from several councils. A Knight stays a member of his own parish council; the assembly is where Sir Knights from those councils meet, serve as an honor guard, and raise money for the causes below.
Our patronFather Abram J. Ryan
Our assembly carries the name of Father Abram J. Ryan (1838–1886), a Catholic priest and poet whose verse was widely read in his lifetime. We remember him as a parish priest and a man of letters, and we keep his name as a reminder that the Fourth Degree exists to serve the Church and the community, in our time as in his.
Where our members come fromOur councils
Our Sir Knights come from parish councils across the Dallas area. If you are a Knight and not sure which assembly serves your council, ask us and we will find out.
What we doOur work
- ✝ Support for priests and religious Including our chalice program, which presents a chalice or ciborium to a priest, church or mission in memory of each departed Sir Knight.
- 🎅 Honor guard and civic presence The Color Corps turns out for ordinations, confirmations, funerals and patriotic occasions. Request an honor guard.
- 🎭 Family Bingo Night Licensed charitable bingo, the second Thursday of the month at the KayCee Club. The proceeds fund the rest of this list. More about bingo.
- 🤝 Charity in the parishes and schools We support Catholic schools, veterans and families in need across the Dallas area.
Meetings and officersHow the assembly runs
We meet monthly. The assembly is led by officers elected each year, headed by the Faithful Navigator, with a Faithful Friar as our chaplain. If you would like to come to a meeting as a guest, tell us and we will let you know when and where.
Joining the Fourth Degree ›