Fourth Degree
New District Master Appointed
Welcome to the Minnesota Fourth Degree page! It is both an honor and a privilege to be appointed and serve you as the District Master of our state.
A heartfelt Thank You to our outgoing Master, Brad Jacobs and Marshal, Bob Hurd. They did an outstanding job the past 2 years serving with distinction not only for our District (especially with the challenges of Covid-19), but also the staffing of the Honor Guards for masses and adoration at the 137th Supreme Convention hosted here in Minnesota last year.
As the pandemic continues, we all struggle with finding places where we can meet face to face in larger numbers. Due to these ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, I am forced to cancel the Fall Exemplification scheduled in New Ulm. Our Degree Captain and I are looking into options for doing a virtual exemplification if these restrictions continue.
In Supreme Knight Carl Andersons address to the 138th Supreme Convention in August, he said “Membership in the Knights of Columbus is not a casual commitment. It is a commitment to being a brother. When we invite a man to join the Knights of Columbus, we are not simply inviting him to do something, we are inviting him to be someone. We are inviting him to be a man of charity, unity, and fraternity.”
Membership in the Fourth Degree, with its focus on Patriotism, offers Brother Knights the opportunity to not only become better Fathers, Husbands and Catholics, but better Citizens as well. As the visible arm of the Knights of Columbus, Sir Knights honor and serve our church and clergy as well as serving our beloved country.
I would challenge all Sir Knights to share your love of the Knights of Columbus and all it has to offer, especially in the Fourth Degree with members of your Church and Council. If we recruited 1 person from each Council, we could easily add 300 new Sir Knights. If each Sir Knight recruited just 1 new member this year, we could add 4,000 new Sir Knights. Think of the positive impact we could have on our Church and Country.
The 4th Degree Ceremonial is truly one of the most beautiful and moving experiences you will have in your life. It is also the last remaining degree where you are actually knighted. If you have not seen the ceremony recently, plan to attend an upcoming Exemplification and bring a candidate with you.
If you are a 3rd Degree member talk to your Grand Knight or Financial Secretary to get the process started or feel free to drop me an email or a phone call and I’ll be happy to assist you.
Becoming a Fourth Degree Sir Knight has never been easier or cheaper. With standard dark business suit and $70.00 you can join our ranks!
I will be updating the calendar of Fourth Degree activities for everyone to see to assist councils and Assemblies in their planning.
Vivat Jesus!
4th Degree Projects:
Fort St Charles
We had the chapel dedication on Saturday September 14th, 2019. We gave tours of the island as well as holding a dedication mass with honor guard celebrated by Bishop Hoeppner presiding as well as several priests concelebrating. There was a reception on site following the Mass. Some pics are below. Lastly, you can view a history and lots more photos and information about Ft. St. Charles on their website by clicking here.
Crow Wing Chapel
Missionaries came to Crow Wing and mission churches were built. In August 1852 Fr Pierz established the catholic mission. This chapel sits at the site of the first church that Fr Pierz built in 1867.
The chapel is maintained by the 4th degree of MN and there is a mass celebrated there annually in July.
Fr Hennepin Statue
The Fr Hennepin Statue is in front of the Basilica of St Mary in Mpls. The 4th degree knights were instrumental in every phase of arranging for the site, having the statue made, and erecting the statue. It was officially dedicated in a huge mass and ceremony on October 12, 1930. The 4th degree is totally responsible for the maintenance of this historic and beautiful statue.