The Knights of Columbus, long associated with swords, capes and plumed hats, are to ‘modernise’ their uniform, it was announced this week.
The traditional regalia worn by some members of the international men’s Catholic organisation will be replaced, announced Supreme Knight, Carl Anderson, during the Knights of Columbus convention, held in the US on 1 August.
“This fraternal year, we make another historic change. The Board of Directors has decided that the time is right for a modernisation of the Fourth Degree uniform,” explained Anderson.
Throughout the years, the regalia of Knights of Columbus who are within the ‘Fourth Degree’, has gone through changes, Anderson said. When the Fourth Degree was first established, the uniform included white ties, top hats and tails.
In place of a tuxedo with a black bow tie and a plumed hat, members will now wear a blue blazer, an official Knights of Columbus tie and a beret, all marked with the Fourth Degree emblem, along with a white shirt and dark grey trousers. There was no mention as to whether swords would remain a part of the uniform.
The Fourth Degree uniform is worn by those who have reached the highest level of the Knights of Columbus and are at least 18 years of age.
Members of the Fourth Degree serve as guards for liturgical processions and ceremonial events, hence the distinctive nature of their uniform.
The organisation, which has around 1.9 million members worldwide, promotes four virtues: fraternity, unity, charity, and solidarity among its members.
PICTURE: Members of the Knights of Columbus gather before a special mass attended by thousands of Catholics to mark the canonisation of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII in Vancouver, 2014. The Knights plumed hats and capes will be replaced with a blazer and beret, it has been announced
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