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Exemplification Information

All information found on this page is also located in the Exemplification Information document

For more information on Exemplification contact District Master Charles Dover (Dovcha@hotmail.com)

 1. GENERAL INFORMATION:

  • An Exemplification of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus is the formal initiation into the degree.
  • Exemplifications are typically held only once or twice a year; therefore it is important to plan ahead for the degree.
  • Every Exemplification is held in honor of a Worthy Sir Knight. The Honoree is named at the banquet and the newly initiated members are presented to him.
  • A package with the details of dinner choices and hotel accommodations are sent out in advance in ample time to book before the deadline.
  • In order for a candidate to be listed in the Exemplification booklet and have a certificate prepared for them in advance, their name must be given to the Master no less than 10 days before the date of the degree.
  • Last minute candidates can receive the degree, but they will not be listed in the banquet program; they will not have a certificate prepared for them; and they risk not being seated at the banquet if the event is being catered. Their fee will remain the same. The Exemplification fee will not be discounted for any reason.

DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATES NAMES IS 14 DAYS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE DEGREE

  • Please help avoid confusion by meeting the deadlines.

 

2. EXEMPLIFICATION OF THE FOURTH DEGREE:
The dress code for the exemplification for candidates and Sir Knights will be a black tuxedo (no long tails), white shirt (NO FRENCH COLLARS, PLAIN LAYDOWN COLLAR ONLY!), black cummerbund or vest, black shoes and black bow tie. Candidates may not wear Knights of Columbus jewels or name badges. Jewels of office may be worn by active officers only.  Members of the Armed Forces, policemen and firefighters may wear their full dress uniform in lieu of tuxedo.  Priests may wear clerical garb with Collar.

3. RECRUITMENT AND WAIVERS:

  • All Faithful Navigators are encouraged to visit councils and start recruiting as many Third Degree Knights as possible that have been in the Order for one year or more. All Grand Knights are encouraged to inform their membership and recruit new members.
  • Waivers: Waivers may be requested for Knights with less than six months of service in writing to the District Master. The Form 4 and assembly check must accompany the waiver and be received by the District Master NOT LATER THAN 30 DAYS prior to the degree date, for processing.  No waivers will be approved for candidates with less than six months in the Order, except for active duty military scheduled for overseas deployment and candidates with life threatening illness.  Priests do not need waivers.  All requests for a waiver must provide justification of the candidate’s worthiness.

 

 

4. CANDIDATE’S APPLICATION (FORM 4):

  • All Form 4’s are to be filled out properly.   ALL ITEMS SHOWN BELOW ARE REQUIRED!  (Rank or Title is only for Priests or Military) TYPE or PRINT LEGIBLY IN CAPITAL LETTERS all required information.
  • All required signature blocks must be completed prior to forwarding the Form 4’s with the Supreme Secretary and Master’s COPIES ATTACHED.  Assemblies are to keep their copy and are to return the Financial Secretary copy to the council.

INCOMPLETE FORMS WILL BE RETURNED FOR CORRECTION.

  • Candidate Fees are $70, which includes ONE DINNER TICKET FOR THE CANDIDATE, a social baldric, and a Fourth Degree lapel pin. The home Assembly will handle fees for Priest candidates including the above.  Please use the dinner reservation form that will be provided for any additional meal tickets.
  • Assemblies are to take care of their respective Priest covering all fees and accommodations. 
  • A Mass will precede the banquet and all priests are welcome to concelebrate the Mass. Please encourage your Priests to bring their vestments.
  • PLEASE NOTE:  Send properly completed Form 4’s with candidate fees with checks made payable to Master 4th Degree, as shown on the Registration Form.  All checks must be sent so as to arrive no later than the cutoff date. 

 

REMEMBER THE CUTOFF DATE IS TEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE DEGREE DATE

  • The host Assembly will confirm with the pastor as to his wishes on the use of swords by the Honor Guard at the procession, the consecration and the recession. The Honor Guard will accompany the main celebrant and all concelebrating Priests in the procession and recession.  The use of swords is allowed in this Diocese.

 

5.  EXEMPLIFICATION BANQUET:

  • All Sir Knights, especially the new Sir Knights, should attend the banquet with their ladies and guests to celebrate the Exemplification of the Fourth Degree. 
  • Dress code for the banquet will be formal wear.  For Sir Knights that means Black tuxedo (no long tails), with white tuxedo shirt, with standard black bowtie, black cummerbund or vest, and black shoes.  All current dress code directives for Sir Knights apply. 
  • Members of the Armed Forces, police officers and firefighters may wear their full dress uniforms in lieu of tuxedos.  Ladies should wear evening dresses suitable for the occasion.
  • Guest gentlemen are requested to wear coat and tie. 

Candidate fees include one banquet ticket.  Additional tickets for their lady and ANY guests must be noted on the DINNER RESERVATION form and be accompanied with payment in full by the deadline date.


6.  Tuxedo information:
As the tuxedo is the uniform dress of the fourth degree, a candidate may consider purchasING his own tuxedo rather than rentING one. USUALLY A ONE TIME RENTAL WILL COVER ABOUT A THIRD OF THE COST OF OWNING A new TUXEDO. there are A COUPLE OF OPTIONS to look AT:

    • ASK your LOCAL FORMAL WEAR RENTAL SHOP IF THEY SELL USED TUXEDOS? THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CHEAPEST, and not much CHEAPER THAN NEW.
    • Go on line to (www.uniformalwearhouse.com). They offer complete new tuxedo packages starting as low as $79.95. Call them at (973) 244-9100.