Fourth Degree Update: March 2026

Supreme Master

Michael McCusker

suprememaster@kofc.org

Supporting our Country, Community, and Church

With Respect and Honor

Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree

March 2026

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Supreme Master's Message

Every March 29th, the Knights of Columbus celebrate Founders’ Day, which commemorates our founding in 1882. The observance calls to mind the vision, sacrifice, and determination of Blessed McGivney and the handful of men he called together at St. Mary Church in New Haven. It reminds us that each of us must resolve to have the same determination in the time that God has allotted to us on earth to make a lasting impact on the Church through our service as Knights.

It is not only a time to reflect on the achievements of the founders of the order, but also a time to reflect upon the brother knights who contributed to the founding of our individual councils and assemblies. Their dedication has built the foundation upon which we, today, are able to do the work of God through our charity, fraternity, unity, and patriotism.

Finally, this Founders’ Day, we should remember and give thanks for those brother knights who “found” in each of us the very essence of knighthood, welcoming us to membership in the Knights of Columbus. Whether that person was a relative, a friend, or a stranger at Mass, we owe each of them a debt of gratitude for giving us the gift of knighthood.

This month, as we celebrate Founders’ Day, each of us should commit ourselves to doing the same by not simply recruiting a member but, instead, by changing a life by passing on the gift of knighthood that God first entrusted to Blessed McGivney’s passionate imagination in the exercise of his priestly vocation. In the same way, that gift has flowed to each of us; forming us in this ever-rewarding vocation as Knights of Columbus.

Happy Founders’ Day! Vivat Jesus!

Michael McCusker

Supreme Master

Message from Fourth Degree Director of Programs

Patriotic Prayer or Rosary Event

Let’s make May the month for holding a Patriotic Prayer or Rosary event at a National, State, or Local Cemetery. Because these grounds are considered "national shrines," there may be specific protocols to ensure that all events remain dignified and do not interfere with daily burial services.

Here is the step-by-step guide to organizing your event.

1. Identify the Correct Authority

National cemeteries are managed by different agencies. Your first step is identifying which one oversees your local site:

For the United State of America

VA National Cemeteries: Managed by the National Cemetery Administration (NCA). This includes most of the 150+ locations across the U.S. https://www.cem.va.gov/find-cemetery/
Arlington National Cemetery: Managed by the Department of the Army (has stricter, unique protocols).
State Veterans Cemeteries: Managed by the individual state (VA-funded, but state-run).

For Canada

National Field of Honour (Pointe-Claire, QC): Canada's primary military cemetery.
Veterans' Sections in Public Cemeteries: Most Canadian veterans are buried in dedicated "Legion" or "Veterans" sections of local municipal cemeteries.
National Historic Sites: Some sites (like the Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, which contains the National Military Cemetery) have specific federal oversight.

For Mexico

Panteón Militar (Mexico City): This is the most formal site. It is managed by the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA).
Panteones Civiles (Local): Most veterans in other states are buried in municipal cemeteries. In these cases, you only need permission from the Ayuntamiento (Local City Council) or the Director of the Cemetery.

For Philippines

Libingan ng mga Bayani (Taguig): This is the primary national cemetery. It is under the administration of the Grave Services Unit (GSU) of the Philippine Army, with oversight from PVAO.
Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolución (Manila North Cemetery): Managed by the City of Manila but holds significant national historical status.
Provincial Veterans Cemeteries: Managed by local government units in coordination with the local military command.

2. Request a "Special Event" Permit

You cannot simply show up with a large group for a formal program. You must coordinate with the Cemetery Director.

Contact the Office: Call the main administrative office of the cemetery at least 30–60 days in advance.
Submit a Proposal: Most directors will ask for a written request detailing:
The purpose of the event (e.g., "Patriotic Rosary for Veterans").
Expected number of attendees.
Required equipment (e.g., a small portable podium or a few chairs for the elderly).
Requested location (often the Committal Shelter or a Memorial Path).
Draft Letter to Cemetery Director

3. Logistical Constraints to Expect

To maintain the "shrine" atmosphere, the following rules usually apply:

Time Limits: Events are typically capped at 20–30 minutes if held in a Committal Shelter to ensure they don't overlap with scheduled funerals.
No Political Activity: While the prayer can be "Patriotic," it must be strictly non-partisan. No political banners, speeches, or campaign materials are permitted.
Sound/Noise: Use of amplified sound is usually restricted or must be kept at a very low decibel level so as not to disturb families at nearby gravesites.
Parking: Large groups may be required to carpool or park in designated "overflow" areas to keep the main roads clear for funeral corteges.

4. Structuring a "Patriotic Rosary"

For a Fourth Degree or Assembly-led event, a common structure includes:

The Intentions: Dedicate each decade of the Rosary to a specific branch of the military or to the souls of those interred in that specific cemetery.
Music: Patriotic hymns like "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" or "God Bless America" are standard, but should be sung a cappella or with very light accompaniment if permitted.
Color Guard: If your Assembly is providing a Color Guard, clear this with the Director first. Some cemeteries prefer that uniforms be limited to specific designated areas.

Please don’t forget to invite all of the councils and its members that represent your Assembly area to participate in this Patriotic Prayer.

Ron Boyce, PSD

Fourth Degree Director of Programs

Message From Fourth Degree Director of Membership

Membership Musings

Worthy Sir Brother Knights and Families,

As we finish up this Lenten season, I pray that it has provided you with the goodness and reflection desired in your faith journey. Each year we have the opportunity to enter Lent with great optimism and determination and then enter Easter with joy and renewed happiness.

Do you think our journey through Lent can be a design for our journey to become a Fourth degree knight in the Knights of Columbus? I believe that it can. Let me explain how.

First, we know that we cannot do this alone. Just like our Lent journey, we need to have someone there to support us. For me, I have relied on my wife for my support through Lent. We committed to each other just like I committed to my Brother Knights in all degrees in the Knights. Reaching out to ask our Brothers in the lower degrees to join and then supporting is our duty as members of the Knights of Columbus.

Secondly, we start our journeys with goals and/or sacrifices in mind. At the beginning of Lent, we get to discern what you are giving up or taking on, and I believe when you join the Knights you have also discerned what your expectations are. I would guess you joined the Knights to help your parish priest and parish, to deepen your faith, for comfort and trust in our insurance and investment options, and to be surrounded by likeminded men and families.

Finally, we know that there is an end in sight, at least for this discussion. Lent culminates with our Easter celebration while Knighthood ends with our Patriotic Fourth Degree. Each produces a culmination of hard work and dedication. Lent has shaped our faithful identities, and the Knights are able to manifest this identity in visible and lived ways.

I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve the Church through the Knights and prayerfully hope you do the same.

Happy Easter.

Bret Ladenburger, PSD Wyoming

Fourth Degree Director of Membership

Message From Fourth Degree Director of Training

Proper Present Sword

At a recent honor guard at my Parish, we had 14 Sir Knights that came early in the week for an Honor Guard.

How thankful we were for so many to show during the week. Our brothers that attended were mostly retired, and mainly over the age of 70.

We practiced our entrance, recession, and escorting the gifts for 30 minutes prior to the mass.

After mass the deacon serving was a Fourth-Degree brother Knight and member of our assembly. I asked, “how did we look?

His response was one I was waiting for, “You guys looked great, but your swords were everywhere”

When dealing with an honor guard of men who varied in age from the late 50’s to the early 80’s, how does the honor guard stay consistent?

Practice is certainly a top choice but also keeping in mind the strength of your members and knowing if any member may have lost the ability to hold a sword at attention for a long period of time. This would require the CCC, Marshal, or whoever is leading the honor guard to be sensitive to when you go to present, where you place your weaker members in line, and how long you wait before you line up. Let’s be sensitive to our aging members who have given a lot of time, effort, and energy to the Fourth Degree, we want them to participate as long as they can, but to also make sure that we are presenting ourselves in the best possible way. Any other suggestions you have would be appreciated and shared.

Just to refresh all of us, here is the proper present sword for all honor guards.

Fraternally,

Michael J. Porter, PSD,FM,FVSM

Fourth Degree Director of Training

Message from the Director of Ceremonials

In the area of ceremonials, a new printing of the Drill Manual is happening! The latest version has a date on the back cover of 12/25. Anyone who needs it, can also request a PDF copy from me. VSMs should encourage all color corps members to read the Drill Manual and comply with it.

The Fourth Degree Exemplification Schedule spreadsheet is intended to be a very useful tool for our Supreme Master. But we are not doing very well in making sure that all scheduled exemplifications are contained in it. So I’m asking all VSMs and DMs to identify what from your districts and provinces has not been reported, and send them to me so that I can add them to the spreadsheet. Also, going forward, please send me the information on all Exemplifications that you are planning. Additionally, I need to know the results of each exemplification shortly after it is held. All I need is the number of new sir knights and if there were any Priests in the class. If you can do these things for me, then we will provide the Supreme Master with that needed useful tool! Thanks!

Fraternally and Patriotically,

Mike Thumm, FVSM

Fourth Degree Director of Ceremonials

Message from the Director of New Assembly Development

Worthy Sirs,

Please click here to view a table of Fourth Degree New Assembly Development.

As you can see, we are a little low on New Assemblies. Granted, there are some that are not in this chart as they are waiting for Supreme Director approval, and that could take a couple months. This should give you some idea of the work we still need to do. Our fraternal yearend is fast approaching.

Worthy VSMs, you can see what your goals. Let’s work together to help make your District Masters and yourself successful. Please reach out to me if you need help or to just discuss opportunities for new assemblies.

Thank you and God Bless,

Dale Hofer, PSD

Director of New Assembly Development

Message from the Director of Ceremonials

Remembering our Founder

On March 29th, we will celebrate Palm Sunday, and simultaneously will remember Founder’s day in our hearts. When Blessed McGivney began the work of the Knights of Columbus, they were in the midst of preparing for Easter, as we are now. In the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord, we find meaning to all aspects of human life. No time is more appropriate to enter fully into the Liturgy than this.

Many Assemblies have been asked to participate in their Parish or Diocesan events of Holy Week. I encourage you to make every effort to participate. What greater way can we give witness to the mission of our founder than by honoring Christ in the Liturgy at this Sacred time? Those men who have yet to become members should be able to look to the Knights as exemplars of devotion and love. Being visible during Holy Week is a great way to inspire these men to become members as well.

If your Assembly participates in Holy Week activities, please send them via email to Catholic.Patriot@kofc.org. We can all benefit from the inspiration of these stories, and I will be happy to share them in the next edition of the Newsletter.

I wish you all a Blessed Passion and Eastertide.

Sterling C. Roatch

Director of Fourth Degree Communications

Fourth Degree History

Our First Supreme Master

Although the Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882, the Fourth Degree would not be established until February 22, 1900, and thereafter, another ten years would pass before John H. Reddin would be installed as the first Supreme Master.

Reddin was born October 13, 1858, in Seneca Falls, New York, the son of Irish immigrants, John and Sarah Reddin. His father began life in America as a day laborer before engaging in railroad work, which moved the family to Chenango, New York. By 1880, Reddin had begun the study of law in Chenango, a career that would eventually lead him to Colorado.

In 1900, Reddin married Mary Ford who, similarly, was the child of Irish immigrants. Both arrived late to matrimony at the ages of 42 and 32, respectively. Their union would bring two daughters and a son.

Devout in his faith, Reddin was drawn to the Knights of Columbus, where he played an active role in establishing Council 539, in Denver, as the state’s first council, subsequently serving as Colorado’s first state deputy. Reddin played an integral role in the establishment of the Fourth Degree by drafting the first ceremonial, and in 1907, was elected as a Supreme Director.

In 1910, Supreme Knight James A. Flaherty and the Supreme Board of Directors elected Reddin as the first Supreme Master of the Fourth Degree, a post he held until his death from a heart attack on December 30, 1940, at the age of 82. During his tenure, he was the originator of the Fourth Degree’s free public lecture program, and in 1925, he established the American patriotic essay contest for high school students. He is the longest serving Supreme Master, and today, the Reddin Province of the Fourth Degree (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah) is named in his honor.

Membership Minutes

Please view the District Quotas as of January 30th.

Keep up the good work!

Click the image to view at full size.

Featured Assemblies

Detroit St. Patrick's Day Parade

Supporting Our Priests

Knights from Michigan supported their Faithful Friar on the 65th Anniversary of his ordination.

USS Missouri Exemplification

On March 7th, Knights from the District of Hawaii held an Exemplification of Patriotism aboard the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor.

Chinese Language Exemplification

On Sunday, February 22nd, 2026, Vice Supreme Master John Brandon of the St. Isaac Jogues Province attended an Exemplification of the Fourth Degree at Mary’s Nativity Church in Flushing, Queens, New York. What made the event different from most others was the fact that the entire class of Candidates was of Chinese descent, and the Degree was conducted in the Chinese Language, Cantonese Dialect. Despite an oncoming blizzard, some 20 Guardsmen attended to assist and direct the Candidates. At the time of the Knighting ceremony, VSM S.K. Brandon assisted S.K. Kenney in welcoming the 31 Candidates as new members of the Patriotic Degree. Immediately following, the Candidates attended a Mass celebrated by the Chinese Parochial Vicar of the Parish and then attended a repast featuring both Chinese and American cuisine.

Bishop Healy Province Welcomes 44 New Members of the Fourth Degree