The Purpose of the 4th Degree

The Fourth Degree is the Patriotic Degree of the Knights of Columbus, and on a national level, it comprises roughly 10% of the membership of the Order. It has five major objectives.

1. To promote and strengthen the patriotic spirit of the civic community.

2. To educate its members, and others, both in the teachings of Holy Mother Church, and the history of our nation.

3. To promote by example the highest type of citizenship so necessary for the preservation and perpetuation of Republican form of government, and its democratic institutions.

4. To oppose dissemination and spread of doctrine dangerous to our form of government, and to the Divine law of faith and morality.

5. To support by word and deed, the duly constituted authorities of local, state and national government, and to recognize excellence in public life.

The Fourth Degree, both collectively and individually, supports those religious, civic, and charitable causes which are designed to implement one or more of those five objectives.