The ceremony takes about 30 minutes, as opposed to being broken up into three parts and taking 2 ½ hours. The new exemplification ceremony inducts new members into the first, second and third degrees at the same time, where they are entrusted with a rosary, a Knights of Columbus pin and a cross. Most men are initiated through three degrees the optional “fourth degree” includes Knights who, among other things, can participate in the visible color guard who are present at many civic and church functions. Historically, Knights of Columbus are initiated through four “degrees,” each representing one of the organization’s four principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. The changes to the exemplification ceremony and “degree program” are part of an effort to boost enrollment among younger members, as well as to make it easier for men to join the Knights and move up its ranks. On top of that, we’re opening the doors to everyone we want the public to see our ceremonials, to see what it’s all about.”

“We wanted to open up the exemplification ceremony to the family we don’t want to take dads away from the family. “We’ve been trying for years to be known as a family organization,” William Chasse, Michigan Knights of Columbus state deputy, told Detroit Catholic. New Knights receive a rosary, Knights of Columbus pin and a cross, and are educated about the organization’s four “degrees” of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. Men receive their rosaries during a ceremony at St. Like many fraternal societies, the Knights for decades kept the initiation of new members hidden from the world - a special moment only for members.Įarlier this year, however, the Knights began to throw open the curtains, allowing family members and friends to witness the moment a man becomes a Knight. Michael McGivney, who formed the Catholic men’s fraternal organization in 1882.īut despite its public nature, the Knights always kept one element secret: its orientation. Streamlined exemplification process attracts younger men, involves families in Knights’ community, state and local council leaders sayĬANTON - The Knights of Columbus has always been an organization that’s “out there.”įrom organizing coat drives and distributing Tootsie Rolls in the streets to working parish cookouts and donating to pro-life causes, the Knights serve the public in a very visible way, in the tradition of Venerable Fr.

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