What is the Fourth Degree?

The Fourth Degree was established on February 22, 1900, as a degree of the Knights of Columbus organized around the principle of patriotism.

The Fourth Degree has its own organizational structure which is independent of local councils. The local unit is the general assembly, which is headed by its Faithful Navigator (parallel to the Grand Knight of a council). Each assembly has its own officers and a company of color corps members headed by the Assembly commander. Each assembly has a number of affiliated councils, but a Fourth Degree member need not belong to the assembly is affiliated with his local council.

The next level of organization is the District. The George Washington Assembly is located in the First New Jersey District, geographically corresponding to the area north of the Raritan River. The head of a district is an appointed officer with the title of Master. The current master of the First New Jersey District is S.K. Frederick J. Conforti.

Above the district is the province. The districts of New Jersey and New York constitute the St. Isaac Jogues Province. The head of the province is the Vice Supreme Master, presently S.K. Robert F. Mate, K.H.S., PSD.

The highest officer is the Supreme Master, chosen by the Order’s Board of Directors. The current Supreme Master is S.K. Joseph P. Schultz.

Last revised September 26, 2005.