About the Fourth Degree
The Fourth Degree was established on February 22, 1900, on the principle of patriotism - love for and devotion to one's country.
Fourth Degree Knights focus most of their activities on this principle. The Fourth Degree is an important part of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic, family, fraternal, service organization.
Father Funcken
Assembly 866 Origins
Instituted 1940 in Kitchener, within the Cardinal McGuigan Province of Ontario, Assembly 866 serves the Waterloo Region area and is associated with local Knights of Columbus councils, especially Father Funcken Council 1504.
The assembly is named after Father Louis Funcken, C.R., a Resurrectionist priest who was an important Catholic figure in the Waterloo Region. Father Funcken helped establish Catholic education and parish life in the area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His influence in Kitchener Catholic history led both the council and the Fourth Degree Assembly to carry his name.
Assembly 866 is part of the Knights’ Fourth Degree, which emphasizes patriotism, honour guards, ceremonial duties, and public Catholic witness. The assembly regularly participates in church honour guards, memorial services, charitable work, and community programs such as the Waterloo Region “Toys for Tots” campaign.
The Forth Degree
Emblem of the Fourth Degree
The triad emblem of the Fourth Degree features the dove, the cross and the globe. The dove, classic symbol of the Holy Spirit and peace, is shown hovering over the orb of the Earth (globe). Both are mounted on a variation of the Crusader's cross.
​Spiritually, the sacred symbols on the emblem typify the union of the Three Divine Persons in one Godhead, the most Blessed Trinity”.
The Globe – God the Father, Creator of the Universe - A blue globe with the land of the Western Hemisphere in white.
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The Cross – God the Son, Redeemer of Mankind - A red cross with gold borders and gold knobs at the end of the points forming the ends of the arms of the cross, also known as the Isabella cross.
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The Dove – God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of Humanity - A white dove.
​Red, white and blue are the colours of the flag of the country which the Knights originated. They are used to stress patriotism, the basic principle of the Fourth Degree.
Colour Corps
The public appearance of Fourth Degree Knights as Honour Guards at civic and religious functions is an important activity of each Assembly, which adds dignity and a pride of Church and country to any event.
The Colour Corps has two sub-groups, the Honour Guard and the Colour Guard. The Honour Guard are members of the Colour Corps who have mastered the manual of the sword. The Colour Guard are the flag bearers and at least two Honour Guards escorting the colours.
Join the Fourth Degree
To join the Fourth Degree in Ontario, you first need to be an active Third Degree Knight in good standing with your local council.
Here’s the normal process:
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Be a practicing Catholic male age 18+. You must already be a member of a local Knights of Columbus council.
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Reach Third Degree membership. Today, the Charity, Unity, and Fraternity degrees are usually completed together through the standard exemplification process.
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Be in good standing. Your council dues must be current.
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Apply to a Fourth Degree Assembly. In Waterloo Region, that would typically be Father Funcken Assembly 866. You complete a “Form 4” application, usually sponsored by another Sir Knight or through your Grand Knight.
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Attend a Fourth Degree Exemplification. This is the ceremonial induction into the Patriotic Degree (Patriotism). Ontario holds exemplifications several times a year in different cities.
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Become a Sir Knight. Once inducted, you become a member of the assembly and may participate in honour guards, civic ceremonies, church events, and patriotic activities.
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Annual Assemblies dues are separate from your regular Council dues, with the first year (full or pro-rated) payable prior to a scheduled exemplification ceremony. After the initial year of membership, annual dues are payable prior to January 1 of the new year.
Useful details:
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The Fourth Degree is optional.
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You do not need to buy the ceremonial uniform unless you want to join the Color Corps/honour guard.
For Waterloo Region information, your best starting point is to contact:
FaithfulNavigator@kitchenerkofc.ca
The Knights of Columbus
Roles of Officers
Fourth Degree Assembly
Faithful Friar: The Faithful Friar is the Spiritual Advisor of the Assembly. He is expected to make a report at Assembly Meetings on religious matters. The Faithful Navigator, Faithful Captain, Faithful Admiral, and Faithful Pilot appoint a Priest annually in accordance with such rules established by the Bishop of the Diocese to serve the Assembly.
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Faithful Navigator: The Faithful Navigator is the chief executive officer of the assembly and acts as the Presiding Officer, with all the powers and duties incident to such office. He appoints committees, countersigns orders and checks. He annually appoints or reappoints the Assembly Color Corps Commander. In his absence, or inability to perform such duties of office, the Faithful Captain shall perform such duties and exercise such powers.
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Faithful Captain: The Faithful Captain shall, in the absence of the Faithful Navigator, perform the duties and exercise the powers of that office. He shall also, to assure a good attendance at meetings and other functions, have charge of social and other activities under the Good of the Order (Refreshments)
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Faithful Pilot: The Faithful Pilot shall have charge of all properties of the Assembly excepts monies, accounts and record books of the officers, but including ceremonials; shall be responsible for arrangement of the Assembly Chamber and shall direct and be responsible for the activities of the Sentinels.
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Faithful Comptroller: The Faithful Comptroller (Financial Secretary) shall keep a roll and the records of the members with the date of their initiation in the Fourth Degree. Collect and receive all monies due the Assembly and all funds obtained from any source and transfer the same to the Faithful Purser and obtain a receipt from him.
He shall keep accounts of the charges (dues) and receipts of each member; he shall issue to each member not indebted to the Assembly for dues, a Fourth Degree Membership Card, duly signed and attested as above, which shall entitle a member admittance to any meeting of the Fourth Degree within the period specified on said card and upon further compliance with the rule requiring that the member produce a current Third Degree membership card.
He shall upon request by a member transferring to another assembly, issue a transfer card, signed by the Faithful Navigator and attested by the Faithful Comptroller. He shall keep such necessary Official Records and forms as furnished by the Supreme Secretary. Notify the District Master of the names of all candidates awaiting initiation. Is the custodian of the Seal of the Assembly and affixes same to all proper papers.
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Faithful Scribe: The Faithful Scribe shall keep a record of the minutes of all regular and special meetings in abound book or electronic means furnished for that purpose by the Assembly.
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Faithful Purser: The Faithful Purser (Treasurer) is the custodian of all funds obtained from any source. Makes deposits and keeps records. Pays all orders drawn on him by the Faithful Comptroller and Faithful Navigator. Makes records available to the Board of Trustees as required.
Faithful Inner & Outer Sentinels: The Faithful Inner and Outer Sentinels shall be responsible to see that all in attendance at meetings are in possession of appropriate valid Third and Fourth Degree membership cards and shall perform such other duties as directed by the Faithful Pilot.
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Faithful Admiral: The Faithful Admiral (usually the Immediate Past Faithful Navigator) is appointed annually; shall preside in case of the absence of both the Faithful Navigator and Faithful Captain and may have such powers and performs such other duties as herein prescribed. In the absence of the Faithful Friar, performs his duties at assembly meetings.
Board of Trustees: The Trustees (normally three) are elected initially for 1, 2 & 3 years, thereafter three years. Together, with the Faithful Navigator they are the Board of Trustees. The Board is responsible for auditing the record books of the Faithful Comptroller and Faithful Purser annually (June 30).
The Trustees shall before each meeting carefully examine all bills and present same to the Assembly with their recommendation; the approval of at least two members of the Board of Trustees shall be required for the payment of any bills or statements
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