More than 100 men accepted into Knights of Columbus’ fourth degree

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson processes toward the altar of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis on March 22 to celebrate Mass with members of the Father Edward F. Sorin Province (named after the first president of the University of Notre Dame) of the Indiana State Council of the Knights of Columbus. (Submitted photos by Steve Lutz)

Criterion staff report

On March 22, members of the Father Edward F. Sorin Province (named after the first president of the University of Notre Dame) of the Indiana State Council of the Knights of Columbus gathered in Indianapolis at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral to hold a ceremony—called an “exemplification”—accepting third-degree Knights into the fourth degree.

After the exemplification, Archbishop Charles C. Thompson was the principal celebrant at a Mass in the cathedral. Bishop Timothy L. Doherty of the Diocese of Lafayette, Ind., and Bishop Robert J. McClory of the Diocese of Gary, Ind., were concelebrants at the liturgy.

Known as the “patriotic degree,” the Knights’ fourth degree focuses on patriotism built upon Jesus’ words, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mt 22:21; Mk 12:17).

Knighting with a sword is also part of the exemplification of the patriotic degree, when the member becomes a “Sir Knight.”

This year marks the 125th anniversary of patriotism being added as a principle for Knights’ members. This was also the first time in Indiana that the ceremony was open to and witnessed by the Knights’ family members and guests since the organization initiated new procedures in 2020.

Prior to the ceremony, a relic of Blessed Father Michael McGivney, the founder in 1882 of the Knights of Columbus, was placed for veneration in the cathedral’s Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

After the liturgy, those present were invited to take part in a dinner at McGowan Hall, home of Mater Dei Knights of Columbus, Council #437, where the keynote speaker was Supreme Master Michael McCusker from the Knights’ Supreme International Headquarters in New Haven, Conn.

Speakers at the dinner encouraged the Knights in attendance to strengthen their resolve to be full-time witnesses and to follow the “litany of great men and women [who] have built and continue to build an empire of hope” through their lives of faith.

All Knights are encouraged to emulate Blessed Father McGivney, who was devoted to the praying of the most holy rosary.

Following the example of Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton, known as the “Rosary Priest,” Knights were also asked to embrace two of the priest’s most popular phrases: “The family that prays together stays together,” and “A world at prayer is a world at peace” as they put their faith into action. †