Welcome to the new fraternal year … with its new beginnings and fresh starts it holds many promises for renewed growth. The District of New Hampshire, the Fourth Degree Knights here in our state are over 2,000 members devoted to the principals of our Order and to promoting Patriotism, both within our ranks and within our communities.

To have a membership of over 2,000 men seems good; however there are still over 5,000 member Knights in New Hampshire that simply are not Fourth Degree members!

I invite every member of the Knights to join the ranks of the Fourth Degree. Being a member of an Assembly is not the same as belonging just to your Council. They are two separate entities; with two distinct missions. Yes a lot of the faces may be the same from your Council meeting. The general proceedings will seem very familiar from your Council meeting too – but it ends there. Our Assemblies are dedicated solely to promoting Patriotism within our ranks, our church, and our communities; while proudly being the strong visible presence of our Order, the Knights of Columbus!

Our men in regalia do well to honor our Church, our Country and our Order. They pay respect to our deceased brother Knights, our true fallen heroes, our veterans, and our Flag!

Not all Fourth Degree members have or participate in Regalia – it is not necessary. What is necessary though for a Fourth Degree member is a commitment to God and Country; a willingness to contribute to the promotion of strong Catholic values in today’s society, by participating in the large social and political forums that are the formation of our social public policies. Know too that you’ll be standing strong with not only fellow Fourth Degree Knights in New Hampshire, but with tens of thousands of brother Fourth Degree Knights throughout our Country.

I am asking each member who has taken their First Degree within the last 6 months, and has achieved full Third Degree Knighthood to seriously consider joining the ranks of the Fourth Degree. Take our lesson on Patriotism; and renew your understanding of what it means to be a worthy and proud Catholic American Citizen – a Sir Knight!

We are planning two major exemplifications this year. The first is in Portsmouth on November 14th. The second is in the Monadnock Region next Spring.

So come beyond full Knighthood, open yourself up to new experiences as a Knight – you are only limited by your willingness to take your first step in becoming … a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus!

Vivat Jesus,
Ed Kennedy