One hundred and seven years ago, on February 22, 1900, the first Fourth Degree exemplification or degree ceremony was held in New York City. The Fourth Degree imparts a lesson on the virtue of patriotism. The primary purpose of this degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism in members and the community at large and encourage active Catholic citizenship. Today there are more than 300,000 Fourth Degree Knights out of the total 1,600,000 million member Knights of Columbus. For a member, it marks the pinnacle.

Local units, called Assemblies, draw their members from Knights of Columbus councils. The qualifications for membership in the Fourth Degree are membership in the Knights for at least one year and being a Third Degree Knight in good standing.

A Fourth Degree Knight may become part of the assembly's color corps. These members are recognized widely by their distinctive attire of tuxedo, feathered hat (chapeau), cape, baldric, and sword. These members regularly take part in civic events such as parades and wreath-laying ceremonies, and at ecclesial functions at Catholic churches. The various colored capes and chapeau feathers denote different officer positions within the Fourth Degree.

On April 14, 2007, several Brother Knights from Yuba City Council 5978 traveled to the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento as part of a combined total of 163 Knights from around Northern California that participated in the Fourth Degree Exemplification that day. Representing our council, and becoming new "Sir Knights" (SK) with the Santa Maria Assembly 1959, we had SK Grand Knight Rusty Gordon, SK Deputy Grand Knight Rich Covey, SK Will Rickey, SK David Perez, SK Bob Cortese, SK Hal Himenes, SK Bob Collier and SK Mike Conroy. Joined by many of our wives after the ceremony for mass and then a banquet, a memorable day of brotherhood, and an evening of laughter and camaraderie was enjoyed by all.

As the Knights of Columbus celebrate their 125 year anniversary, marking our groups inception by our founder Father Michael McGivney, we are ever reminded of the legacy that has been left for us to honor and uphold as Catholic Gentlemen, and the continuing roads we march down as the right arm of our parish priests and servants of the Catholic Church.