WHO CAN BECOME A KNIGHT

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 home town council or 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 fellow man. 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. 

The Patriotic Degree

Another degree open to members of the Knights of Columbus is that of the Fourth
(or Patriotic) Degree. On February 22, 1900, the first exemplification of that
degree was held in New York City. The ritual added patriotism to the three
original principles of the Order: charity, unity and fraternity. Any Third Degree
member in good standing, one year after the anniversary of his First Degree, is
eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree. 

The primary purpose of the Fourth 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 Fourth Degree groups
called assemblies. Fourth Degree members must retain their membership as Third
Degree members in the local council to remain in good standing. 

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

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07/21/01