Overview of Hierarchy

The Hierarchy of the Knight of Columbus leadership starts at the Supreme Council, and moves to States, Districts and Local Councils. All members must belong to a Local Council. For those that have completed the 4th degree, there are Assemblies which are grouped by Districts, Provinces, and finally governed at the National level. If you are a Grand Knight or Past Grand Knight (PGK) you may belong to a Chapter.

Squire Circles are for the Catholic male youth, ages 12 to 18. Circles must be sponsored by a Council or Assembly. Below is a listing of the Officer Titles for each part of the organization with a basic explanation of their functions.

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Council Structure

The Supreme Council consists of the State Deputy and the last living Past State Deputy of the various state Councils; the Past Supreme Knights; Supreme Officers as ex officio members (Supreme Knight, Supreme Chaplain, Deputy Supreme Knight, Supreme Secretary, Supreme Treasurer, Supreme Advocate, Supreme Physician and Supreme Warden); the Supreme Directors (jewel pictured left), (24 insurance members elected for three-year terms by the Supreme Council at its annual meeting); and such delegates as are duly chosen by the state Councils. (Section 4 of the Charter, Constitution, Laws)

The State Council includes the following officers: State Deputy, State Chaplain, State Secretary, State Treasurer, State Advocate, State Warden are the only State Officers that have an Official Jewel as shown below. State Jewels contain the Official Seal of the State in the middle of the Jewel. State Directors include the Program Director, Membership Director, and Operations Director. The State Council also includes the last living past State Deputy, the Grand Knight, and Past Grand Knight from each Local Council. The State Deputy is the only officer which also has a Dress Jewel (pictured left). (Section 11 of the Charter, Constitution, Laws)

The District level includes a District Deputy. Districts are composed of several councils in the same geographic region. The District Deputy has general charge of the councils, is responsible for overseeing the Exemplification of the Second Degree, and installs Council Officers. The District Deputy's jewel is a Sextant and Feather with the words "District Deputy" laid across them and suspended from a red ribbon. These symbolizes his role in helping to guide the Councils in his district. (Sections 60-62 of the Charter, Constitution, Laws)

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At the Council level there are 17 Officers, of whom 12 are elected. Below is a listing of the Council Officers, a picture of the Jewel they wear, a brief explanation of their functions, and a description of the Ceremonial Robe. Explanations of the jewels are taken from the "Official Knights of Columbus Emblems and Council Jewels"

The Chaplain provides spiritual guidance and direction to the Council. The Chaplain is selected by the Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight and the three Trustees on an annual basis in accordance with the rules of the Bishop of the diocese. His jewel is the Isabella Cross in silver and blue suspended from a black ribbon. The Chaplain's Ceremonial Office Robe is black with black trimming and a yoke with white projecting collar. The cincture is black with silver fringe. (Duties taken from section 128 of the Charter, Constitution, Laws)

 

The Grand Knight is the top ranking officer of the Council. He oversees all of the Council's activities and is elected by the members of the Council. Some of his duties include presiding over meetings, countersigning orders and checks, reading vouchers and notices relative to the Fourth Degree. His jewel is an Anchor which is suspended from a purple ribbon. The Anchor is indicative of Admiral Christopher Columbus and has also been a variant form of the Cross for centuries. The Grand Knight's ceremonial officer robe is royal purple. He wears a white cincture with silver fringe and a purple mantle with white roll collar. (Duties taken from section 135 of the Charter, Constitution, Laws)

The Deputy Grand Knight is second ranking officer of the Council and is elected by the members of the Council. He shall preside in the absence or inability of the Grand Knight. His jewel is the Compass, also known as the Compass of Virtue, suspended from a purple ribbon, with the four main points representing Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. The 32 points around the outside of the compass represent the virtues (Listed Below) which a man can possess. The compass is an important tool in navigation. The Deputy Grand Knight's ceremonial officer robe is royal purple. He wears a white cincture with silver fringe. (Duties taken from section 136 of the Charter, Constitution, Laws)

The Chancellor is the third highest ranking officer of the Council and is elected by the members of the Council. The Chancellor shall assist the Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight in the performance of their duties and shall take charge during the incapacity or extended absence of both. He shall exercise a special interest in new members and members who are sick or in distress. His jewel is the Skull and Crossed Bones on the Isabella Cross and is suspended from a black over white ribbon. The Crossed Bones remind us of our immortality. The Chancellor's ceremonial officer robe is black robe trimmed with white. He wears a white cincture with silver fringe and a black mantle with white roll collar. (Duties taken from section 137 of the Charter, Constitution, Laws)

The Recorder keeps the minutes of the meeting and the historical records for the Council. He is elected by the Council members. In the absence of the Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, and Chancellor the Recorder will run the meeting. Also, he is responsible for the correspondence of the Council as directed by the Grand Knight. The Recorder's jewel is Crossed Quill Pens suspended from a white over yellow ribbon. The Quill pens are symbolic of his record keeping functions of the Scribe. The Recorder's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with black. He wears a white cincture with silver fringe. (Duties taken from section 138 of the Charter, Constitution, Laws)

The Financial Secretary handles of the financial transaction record keeping. This includes issuing and collecting bills, issuing membership cards, etc. The Financial Secretary is appointed by the Supreme Knight and is compensated in a manner approved by the Board of Directors. His jewel is the Quill Pen (record-keeper) and the Key (money, safe-keeping, and secrecy) crossed and is suspended from a white over yellow ribbon. This symbolizes his record keeping functions of the financial matters of the Council. The Financial Secretary's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with black. He wears a white cincture with silver fringe. (Duties taken from section 139 of the Charter, Constitution, Laws)

The Treasurer is responsible for the funds of the Council as is elected by the members of the Council. His duties include such functions as maintaining bank accounts and issuing checks based on receipts turned in by the Financial Secretary. His jewel is Crossed Keys, which represents responsibility for the safe keeping of the funds, suspended from a blue ribbon. The Treasurer's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with black. He wears a white cincture with silver fringe. (Duties taken from section 140 of the Charter, Constitution, Laws)

The Lecturer is responsible for the entertainment at the Knights of Columbus meetings and functions. He is selected by the Grand Knight on an annual basis. His jewel consists of the Scroll over the Lyre suspended from a white over blue ribbon. The Scroll and Lyre represent Literature and Music. The Lecturer's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with national blue. He wears a blue cincture with silver fringe. (Duties taken from section 141 of the Charter, Constitution, Laws)

 

The Advocate is the Chief Legal Officer for the Council as is elected by the members of the Council. His jewel consists of a Scroll and Sword suspended from a yellow ribbon. The Scroll represents the legal literature and law and the Sword represents his authority to enforce those Laws. The Advocate's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with golden yellow. He wears a yellow cincture with silver fringe. (Duties taken from section 142 of the Charter, Constitution, Laws)

 

The Warden assures that all members at meetings possess the current membership card and is elected by the members of the council. He is custodian of all Council property except funds and is in charge of properly setting up the Council Chamber. He directs the activities of the Inside and Outside Guards. His jewel consists of Axe bound by Fasces and is suspended from a red over black ribbon. Guards or protectors of Roman Magistrates generally carried the Axe and Fasces as a sign of Authority. The Warden's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with scarlet. He wears a scarlet cincture with silver fringe. (Duties taken from section 143 of the Charter, Constitution, Laws)

The Inside and Outside Guards each have the same symbol for their jewel. They are in charge of security at the meetings and are to assist the Warden as needed. The jewel for the Guards consists of an Crossed Axes and Key, representing their authority as sentries at the door, is suspended from a white ribbon. The Guard's ceremonial officer robe is gray with a yoke, trimmed with black. He wears a black cincture with silver fringe and . (Duties taken from section 144 of the Charter, Constitution, Laws)

 

 

There are three Trustees in each Council, title as 1 Year Trustee, 2 Year Trustee, and 3 Year Trustee. They oversee the financial transactions of the Council, review all bills and financial reports and audit the Council's financial records semi-annually. Their jewel is the Crossed Key and Sword, which represents their financial authority, is suspended from a green ribbon. The Advocate's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with green. He wears a green cincture with silver fringe. (Duties taken from section 145 of the Charter, Constitution, Laws)

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4th Degree Assembly and Emblem

          

• the Dove

• the Cross

• the Globe

The Dove, the classic symbol of the Holy Spirit and Peace, is shown hovering over the orb of the earth or Globe.  Both are mounted on a variation of the Crusader's cross, that which was found on the tunics and capes of the Crusading Knights who battled to regain the Holy Land.

Our Honored Order cherishes as its patron Christopher Columbus. Christopher...Christ Bearer    Columbus...Dove of Peace, symbolizing the Paraclete

Spiritually, the sacred symbols on the emblem typify the Union of the Three Divine Persons in one Godhead...the most blessed Trinity.

• The Globe... God the Father, Creator of the Universe

• The Cross...God the Son, Redeemer of Mankind

• The Dove...God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of humanity

The colors of the symbols are

• A Blue Globe with the lands of the Western Hemisphere in White

• A Red Cross with gold borders, and gold knobs at the ends of the Cross

• A White Dove.

Red, White, and Blue are the colors of the flag of the country in which our Order originated; and are used to stress the basic principle of the Fourth 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.

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Starting at the Supreme level there is the Supreme Master and the Supreme Board of Directors. The next level of the structure is broken into provinces of which there are twenty. Each province is lead by a Vice-Supreme Master. The Vice-Supreme Master wears a light blue lined cape and chapeau. There are currently 15 provinces in the United States, 4 in Canada, 1 in Mexico and 1 in the Philippines.

 

The province is then broken up into districts. Most districts are either an entire State or a section of a larger State (i.e. Pennsylvania has two districts - East and West). A Master (jewel pictured left) is in charge of a District and wears gold lined cape and chapeau. Master's are responsible for overseeing the Installation of 4th Degree Assembly Officers, The Renewal of Obligations in January, and holding at least one 4th Degree Exemplification each year.

 

Also a Master usually has a District Marshall (jewel pictured left) to assist him. The District Marshall wears a green lined cape and chapeau.

 

 

 

Faithful Navigators wear a white cape and chapeau.  The Jewel for the 4th degree officers are suspended from a red, white, and blue ribbon. Each contains the 4th Degree Emblem and title of the Officer's position. The Assembly is structured in much the same manner as a Council. Below is a chart that shows the 4th Degree Assembly Officer's title and the 3rd Degree Council equivalent.

Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as Color Guards and Honor Guards at civic and religious functions, an activity which has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus organization. Honor Guardsmen have mastered the "Manual of the Swordsmen". The District Commander of the Color Corps wears a green line cape and chapeau. The Color Corp Commander wears a purple line cape and chapeau. Finally, all other members of the Color Corp wear red lined capes and white chapeaus.

When a Fourth Degree Member or Color Corp Member is dressed in his tuxedo there are seven miniature jewels he may where if he validly holds the title of a Past or Former Officer. Six of the seven jewels are shown below. The one for Former Supreme Director is missing. They are from left to right:

Past State Deputy
Former District Deputy
Past Grand Knight
Past Faithful Navigator
Former Master
Former Vice-Supreme Master

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Grand Knight Chapter

Chapters are made up of the Grand Knights and Past Grand Knights from several councils in the same geographic area. The Officers include a Chaplain, President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Marshall, and Advocate.

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Columbian Squires Circle

In 1923 Christian Brother Barnabas McDonald, a noted expert in the field of social welfare work with young people, created an official youth organization for the Knights of Columbus. What Brother Barnabas devised was the Columbian Squires.

Brother Barnabas called for the formation of the Squires as an elite group of boy leaders. The first Circle, Duluth Circle 1 in Duluth, Minnesota, was instituted in August 1925.

The Hierarchy of a Columbian Squire Circle is Chief Squire, Deputy Chief Squire, Notary Squire, Bursur Squire, Marshall Squire, and Sentry Squire. There are two primary adult positions to provide guidance to the youth, Chief Counselor and Father Prior.

Their jewels all contain a shield mounted on sword with the Office listed across the top and symbol of the office on the shield. The Circle Officer's Jewel is suspended from a blue ribbon. The State Officer's Jewels is suspended from a Gold Ribbon.

Approximately 26,000 Squires belong to more than 1,000 Circles. The Squires are active throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Guam. In 1995, Circles donated more than $302,000 in charitable contributions and volunteered 461,400 hours of community service to such causes.