One hundred years of ceremony and service
DRAPER —With their plumbed hats, swords and colorful capes, the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree stand out in any crowd. They also stand out in Utah’s history, not because of their dress, but because of their actions.
“The Knights have a long and rich history that touches every parish, every aspect of Catholic life in this diocese,” said Msgr. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general of the diocese, pointing to the Fourth Degree’s attendance at the dedication of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, every Catholic church and school dedication and groundbreaking. “In every report, the Knights and their wives were participants in helping the parishes and the schools organize themselves and their volunteers to achieve sometimes almost impossible feats.”
The Fourth Degree Knights focus on patriotism; to join, members must be active Third Degree Knights.
“The Fourth Degree, at its heart, is not just men that you see on special occasions dressed in colorful regalia and wearing plumed chapeau, they actually initiate and sustain working programs designed to encourage and foster love of country,” said State Deputy Douglas Shane. “In Utah, you can see the Fourth Degree at many patriotic events, including parades, celebrations, formal patriotic dates.”
In addition, they conduct programs at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, maintain veterans’ cemetery areas, support local seminarians and volunteer at the Special Olympics.
In 1910, to celebrate the establishment of the Fourth Degree in Utah, 200 Knights marched down the main street in Salt Lake with a brass band, Msgr. Fitzgerald said. “We were one of the first diocese in the west to have a Knights of Columbus, so we have a long and rich and marvelous history.”
A Knight for 50 years, Msgr. Fitzgerald also recalls his father’s participation in the organization. “I especially remember their tremendous commitment to fraternal charity,” he said. “If anyone was ill in a family of a Knight, anyone had died, any kind of crisis, the Knights organized themselves and they would go to the home or the hospital or wherever it might be.”
On Oct. 10, Utah’s John H. Reddin Province celebrated the centennial of its founding with a ceremonial dinner at St. John the Baptist Parish. One hundred people from 22 cities and four states attended.
“The Knights are such a blessing in our parish and I know that must be the way it is in every parish,” said Msgr. Terence Moore, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, in his welcoming remarks. “You find men who have dedicated themselves to the Fourth Degree calling of the Knights of Columbus and they are giving truly in full measure. ”
The Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, the event’s keynote speaker, said he has been impressed with the Knights’ enthusiasm, sincerity and genuineness. “We’re really blessed to have you. This is really what Christ is calling all of us to do, is to have this kind of regard and love for our church and our country. But certainly to serve the church the way you do it. And the way you do it is, in my view, a selfless way and you don’t care who gets the credit.”
Bishop Wester, who became a Knight after he came to Utah, compared the Knights to musical grace notes. “You see the good in this local church, you see the good in people, you see the good that can be done and you do it. And what really impresses me is that you don’t hang around and wait to be complimented or wait to be thanked.”
Often, people don’t realize the amount of support the Knights give to activities or the number of people they help, Bishop Wester said. “In all these ways, you’re an integral part of what we’re doing (in the diocese,)” he said. “You’re a real grace to us. You’re an embellishment. You are those who see the good and also those who can help to make the good happen, and for that I’ll be eternally grateful.”
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