Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Fatima Council 5579 Luzon State Jurisdiction District M-44 Bacood, Sta. Mesa, Manila, Philippines 1016 E-Mail Address: kofc5579@yahoo.com |
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WHO
CAN BECOME A KNIGHT?
Membership
in the Knights of Columbus is open to practical Catholic men in union
with the Holy See, who shall not be less than 18 years of age on their
last birthday. A practical Catholic is one who lives up to the
Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church. Application forms
are available at the Council's Office or from any of its officers and
members. Every knight is happy to propose eligible Catholic men for
consideration as members. Acceptance
of the applicant depends upon a vote of the members of the subordinate
council in which he is making application. All
priests and religious brothers having duly made application for
membership and participated in the ceremonials become honorary life
members of the Order and are exempt from payment of dues. Application
for membership must be made through the council in the community
nearest the applicant's place of residence. Interested prospects
without a permanent domicile, such as men temporarily away from home
through duty in the armed forces, may make application through their
hometown council or at the nearest council on a military base. If
favorably voted upon, the applicant becomes a member by initiation
known as the First Degree. He subsequently is advanced through the
Second Degree and the Third Degree. There
are modest initiation fees and dues set by subordinate councils under
regulations established by the Supreme Council. The insurance
privileges are available to all members who can qualify, which
represents an important advantage of membership. For men in every walk
of life the name Knights of Columbus engenders the image of a united
organization, efficiently going about it tasks of charity, unity,
fraternity, patriotism and defense of the priesthood. It is composed
of men who are giving unselfishly of their time and talents in service
of God and their country. Membership
in the Knights of Columbus provides opportunity for wholesome
association with congenial companions who are, first of all, practical
Catholic gentlemen. It offers the opportunity for fellowship with
those who are of the same belief, who recognize the same duty to God,
to family and to neighbor and who stand side by side in defense of
those beliefs. Programs are so organized as to appeal to the
individual interest of the members. Through many constructive
activities of Christian fraternity, members are enabled to render
service to their Church, their country and their fellowman. Through
membership they develop a consciousness of their ability to lead and
to assist. Organized
Columbianism, united behind the individual Knight of Columbus,
provides the power of an intelligent, alert body of Catholic men--a
strength which the individual by himself cannot achieve. Knights
of Columbus has a proud heritage. The qualified Catholic man can share
in that heritage and build an even greater future by affiliating
himself with this forceful, effective body. The
Patriotic Degree
Another
degree open to members of the Knights of Columbus is that of the
Fourth (or Patriotic) Degree. On February 22, 1900, the first
exemplification of that degree was held in New York City. The ritual
added patriotism to the three original principles of the Order:
charity,
unity and fraternity. Any Third Degree member in good standing, one
year after the anniversary of his First Degree, is eligible for
membership in the Fourth Degree. The
primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of
patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and
loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active membership
in local Fourth Degree groups called assemblies. Fourth Degree members
must retain their membership as Third Degree members in the local
council to remain in good standing. Certain
members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and
religious functions, an activity which has brought worldwide
recognition to the Knights of Columbus organization. Note
: Above article courtesy of Priests
for Life, Canada |
Send comments, questions and/or suggestions to Bro. Mon Jimenez @ monjay@mail.com |