About Assembly #2454

The Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus in Ocean City, Maryland, area is the Pope John Paul Assembly #2454. Members of the Fourth Degree conduct programs that support and promote patriotism including participation in Veteran’s celebrations, fostering respect for the flag, as well as support for parish and community activities. Fourth Degree Knights provide a Color Guard wherever the Bishop of the Diocese appears at local parishes or when requested by our Pastors. They also provide Honor Guards for our deceased members family at Wakes and Funeral Masses.

After taking their third degree, knights are eligible to receive their fourth degree (4th Degree), the primary purpose of which is to foster the spirit of patriotism and to encourage active Catholic citizenship — consequently, the 4th Degree is often known as ‘The Patriotic Degree’. Fourth Degree members are referred to as ‘Sir Knight’. The old requirements for joining the 4th Degree were that a brother Knight must: have been a third degree member in good standing for at least one year; be an exemplary Catholic; and be of sound citizenship of his country.  Today, the requirements are:  a Knight can enter the 4th Degree immediately after his 3rd Degree exemplification; be an exemplary Catholic; and be of sound citizenship of his country. 

The 4th Degree members:

• Promote and strengthen the patriotic spirit of the civic community;
• Educate its members, and others, both in the teachings of Holy Mother Church, and the history
  of our nation; 
• Promote by example the highest type of citizenship so necessary for the preservation of our democratic government;
• Oppose dissemination and spread of doctrine dangerous to our form of government, and to the
  Divine law of faith and morality; 
• Support by word and deed, the duly constituted authorities of local, state and national government,
• And recognize excellence in public life.

It is not unusual to find 4th Degree Knights: participating visibly in Church events, such as Eucharistic processions and escorting the Church dignitaries, in the community; standing up for the unborn and the elderly at Pro-Life events; and commemorating the sacrifices of previous generations by participating in veterans’ celebration and veterans’ assistance programs.

Assembly #2454 meets on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Columbus Hall.