Public invited to historic fourth degree ceremony in Meridian

Knights of Columbus open milestone event to public for first time in state history

Father Camilo García (back row, center), pastor of St. Nicholas Parish in Rupert, and Deacons Paul Hensheid (front row, center left) and José Medina (front row, center right) join with Fourth Degree Knights during Easter of the 2025 Jubilee Year. (Courtesy Photo/Nina Iturra)

By Brad Bugger and

Roy Bartholomay

for the ICR

MERIDIAN -You’ve probably seen the colorfully adorned Knights members at civic and church events, serving as honor guards or color corps, respectfully standing at members’ funerals or during Eucharistic Adoration. The tradition tied to serving in full regalia goes back about 125 years.

That is when the Knights of Columbus held their first Fourth Degree exemplification in New York City. The Fourth Degree is the official K of C rank for men desiring to embrace the Order’s fourth principle: patriotism. These men lead the Knights’ efforts to support veterans and active military.

Founded in 1882, the Knights of Columbus was formerly based on only three binding principles: charity, unity and fraternity. At that time, people feared that members of the Catholic faith owed their allegiance to the Church and could not be trusted as citizens of their country.

Patriotism was added to the Order’s principles in 1900, making clear that Knights are loyal to both God and country.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Patriotic Order of the Knights of Columbus, and to celebrate, Bishop Sylvester Treinen Assembly 2751 in Meridian is hosting the Fourth Degree exemplification on Saturday, May 17, at 2:15 p.m. in Holy Apostles Parish hall.

“In a change this year, the Knights Patriotic Exemplification is now open to the public so all can come and learn about Catholic patriotic Americans in the history of our country,” said Roy Bartholomay, Idaho District Master.

Members of the Fourth Degree have the honor of holding the title “Sir Knight,” participating in color and honor guards, and organizing programs promoting Catholic citizenship. They also become part of a Fourth Degree Assembly in their area. Idaho has 22 Assemblies with over 1,100 members.

One of the major initiatives of the Knight’s Fourth Degree program is the “Serving Those Who Served Program,” which supports Veterans Affairs facilities. The Knights of Columbus have representatives at almost every Veterans Affairs medical clinic in the United States, where they recruit and manage K of C volunteers in developing activities and programs that aid patients’ most essential needs. Chuck Boisvert from Meridian is Idaho’s Veterans Representative. He can be reached at (208) 890-8577.

The Fourth Degree has also supported priests, specifically those who go on to serve as military chaplains. Through a special scholarship program, the Knights help fund the education of seminarians preparing to become Catholic chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces. This year the Knights of Columbus is honoring Korean and Vietnam War veterans by setting up a room with the name of Knights of Columbus veterans both living and deceased in the Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center in New Haven, Conn. Idaho will have the names of 55 Knights of Columbus on the wall that were compiled through a statewide census.

Anyone interested in attending this historic ceremony should contact their local Knights of Columbus Assembly or Council. Roy Bartholomay can also be reached at (208) 390-3840 or by email at royrugger@msn.com.

If you would like to become a member of the Knights of Columbus and are a practicing Catholic male over the age of 18, you can join by visiting kofc.org.

The first Idaho Exemplification of the Fourth Degree occurred 99 years ago, on May 30, 1926, in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise. There were 106 candidates, and Bishop Gorman presided, along with Supreme Master John Reddin. Eleven Idaho councils were present at the 1926 Exemplification. (Courtesy Photo/Roy Bartholomay)

Knights of Columbus Councils present in 1926 at the first Exemplification:

• Pocatello Council 892

• Boise Sacred Heart Council 899

• Lewiston Council 1024

• Wallace Council 1293

• Coeur D’Alene Council 1363

• Cottonwood Council 1389

• Moscow Council 1397

• Twin Falls Council 1416

• Genesee Council 1554

• Idaho Falls Council 1663

• Nampa Council 2014