Which Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Color Guard Uniform Do You Prefer?

[Usige]

I take it back. I might be tempted to wear platemail

I was thinking the same think, but it would be a bear to genuflect.

 

[LoyalViews]

I like them both, so I think there ought to be a level of flexible duality. I really believe that during Mass, when the Knights serve a ceremonial role, that the old uniform be used. It adds the chivalrous aspect.

The new uniform is very American. The KofC is present in Canada as well, which is, for all intents and purposes, a very European country - I know in Newfoundland, the uniform changes are not being implemented.

 

[Usige]

Augustinian:

“Seem” is the operative word here. In actuality, the membership of the K of C is rising. Fraternal organizations in general have fewer active members, its not just the knights. The Shriners are with their miniature cars at the Memorial Day parade here in Pittsburgh, and they have a fairly large contingency marching. But out of 50 or 60 guys, there are only 3 or 4 that are younger than I am. And I’m 61.

So is “active.” I don’t doubt that the KofC is doing well from a membership/insurance sales standpoint. But their impact in parishes definitely seems to be waning. The Masons are hurting even worse – and they have no insurance component.

I’d be leary of stated numbers of active members,. I have repeatedly asked to be moved to inactive over the past four years. Each year I get a letter saying my membership dues are past due. Despite that I actually show up as an active member with dues paid regardless if it has been over 5 years since I’ve attended a meeting or participated in an event. It seem they pay my (and many other men’s) dues because they are not supposed to have net loses. I was told by one officer that they could not drop me from the rolls unless they had enough new members to cover the inactive members.

 

[Gorgias]

Gorgias:

If the uniform needed to be changed 'cause it’s out of date, then why keep the gloves and sword?

The same reason the USN does. They’re classic, but not cheesy elements of many uniforms:

One man’s ‘classic’ is another’s ‘cheesy’?

 

[commenter]

I’d be leary of stated numbers of active members,. I have repeatedly asked to be moved to inactive over the past four years. Each year I get a letter saying my membership dues are past due. Despite that I actually show up as an active member with dues paid regardless if it has been over 5 years since I’ve attended a meeting or participated in an event. It seem they pay my (and many other men’s) dues because they are not supposed to have net loses. I was told by one officer that they could not drop me from the rolls unless they had enough new members to cover the inactive members.

Our records show that you voted in all the last 5 years’ council elections…Aren’t you with the Chicago Knights?

Seriously, even if the council you had belonged to is not that great, consider reactivating, maybe at another council.

As a young Catholic man I sort of looked down on the K of C. I was active in various renewal type programs which seemed far more important. But after awhile it seemed all our “renewals” were reaching the same few people over and over.

The K of C attracts the average churchgoing Catholic man (as well as those more spiritual). The Columbia Magazine, and council programs reach and inform people from many levels of commitment and maturity, and bring them a little closer to Christ. Our women’s auxiliary is strong. The K of C has held up the Prolife standard at a time when 99 other local Catholic things has more or less dropped it .

But hey, we could use you in my own council, our stats are low this year and we are trying to get an award. You never have to show up, mail in your split club tickets. Do you live in commuting distance of North America, so we can count you?

 

[OldCAFMember]

I find it hilarious when people state that the Knights have a fading presence. This is very subjective, and varies greatly from parish to parish and diocese to diocese. In general, in older dioceses where the Catholic population is moving away or otherwise shrinking, so are the Knights. But in areas where the Catholic population is growing, so are the Knights. In the South, we are creating new parishes, not closing them. Likewise our councils and assemblies are growing, with new ones being created each year. The average age of Knights is also a bit younger. The trend here is that Knights are headquartered within parishes, rather than meeting in separate halls. This makes the K of C a much more visible presence within the parish, and creates a better relationship between them and the pastor, who is also more likely to become a Knight himself. This has been the new direction of the K of C, and is part of the growth pattern here in Georgia.

As an active fourth degree Knight, I can also say that the response from assemblies around the country to the new regalia has been overwhelmingly negative.

 

[Spyridon]

Looks to me like the KoC modeled the new uniform on the US Army dress uniform(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[commenter]

As an active fourth degree Knight, I can also say that the response from assemblies around the country to the new regalia has been overwhelmingly negative.

Maybe…
But whenever there is any kind of a change, those who oppose it are more likely to respond than those who like it, or those who are neutral. Thus, the “response” may or may not be representative.

But Supreme has to consider, not just the (name removed by moderator)ut of the current Color Corp members, but also possible future recruits to the Color Corp. We know who has joined it in recent years, but we have to consider those who might have, but did not.

I have heard a few people outside the K of C who think all Knights wear the regalia, and the old regalia may be a deterrent to some joining the Knights.

 

[midori]

We stopped by for noon Mass the other day, and when we got there, we realized we were at the tail end of a priest’s funeral. I don’t know if it was because he was a priest, or because he had been a former Grand Knight of his council back home and was still involved with the Knights as a chaplain, but the KofC were out in full force for his funeral, and it was nice to see the color that they lent to the ceremonies.

When you serve a ceremonial role, it’s okay to dress up in a ceremonial manner.

And the KofC is probably cheaper than being a Knight/Dame of the Holy Sepulchre, and easier to rise ranks in than the Order of Malta.

http://www.eohsjatlantic.com/DignitariesGroupPhoto2017.jpg


I guess it’s not to be unexpected in a country where few people wear suits or ties to work on a daily basis-- but sometimes, you have to embrace your pageantry. Although I have wondered if people in the NFL (or other athletes) have ever been disappointed in getting picked for a particular team, because that team had hideous colors…

 

[TheLittleLady]

If it is an event where the Knights are either putting on the event or there in an official capacity they will be wearing polo/golf shirts or name tags that identify themselves as Knights.

At a liturgical function, the Honor Guard will be wearing either the tux/cape/plumed chapeau combo of the old uni or the new uni with the emblemed blazer and beret.

 

[Irishmom2]

Looks to me like the KoC modeled the new uniform on the US Army dress uniform(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

:-1:t3: I don’t like the Army uniform either.

 

[Augustinian]

I wonder if Fr McGivney got the idea for a military motif and uniforms for the K of C from the Salvation Army?

The time line fits, the SA came to America in 1880, and the K of C was founded in 1882. Salvation Army came to New York City first, Knights started in the greater metropolitan area in Connecticut.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

It skews older partly because the retired men have more time to spend on the activities. The younger ones are still busy with jobs and kids.

 

[Augustinian]

It skews older partly because the retired men have more time to spend on the activities. The younger ones are still busy with jobs and kids.

Fair enough observation. But I think in an earlier age, even younger men spent more time with organized clubs and activities than they do today. People were a lot more sociable.

 

[JetteZ]

Now with both parents likely to work time to socialize is much more limited especially for young families.

 

[babochka]

Tis_Bearself:

It skews older partly because the retired men have more time to spend on the activities. The younger ones are still busy with jobs and kids.

Fair enough observation. But I think in an earlier age, even younger men spent more time with organized clubs and activities than they do today. People were a lot more sociable.

I agree that people are less inclined to social, group activities than in decades past, but there is also a lot more competition for limited time.

My husband became a Knight in his early 20s when his grandfather signed him up and paid his dues. He did a stint as Grand Knight when he was in his late 20s and was the youngest Grand Knight in the history of the council. We were married when he was 36 and a couple of years later he was Grand Knight again. By this time, we had a couple of kids and he didn’t have nearly the time to put into it that he did when he was single. He was, once again, the youngest Grand Knight in the history of the council (a different one this time). At 51, he’s now nearing the more usual age for a Knight, but we’ve got six children at home and little time for “extras”. He usually does the Tootsie Roll drive and that’s about it. Someday our children will be grown and he’ll have time again.

 

[Duesenberg]

Looks to me like the KoC modeled the new uniform on the US Army dress uniform

Not to me. The only things that are similar are the black beret (but obviously not the patch) and the white shirt. Other than that, they are very different.

 

[babochka]

By the way, there is a huge push by the Supreme Council to get local councils out of their separate properties, and into parishes, directly under the pastors. Where I live, until recently no parishes had their own K of C councils, just regional, independent councils not connected to any parish. They had priest chaplains, of course, and supported the bishop. Now, almost all new councils are being formed in parishes, and there is pressure on “regional” or standalone type councils to move into a parish, directly under a pastor rather than finding their own, separate chaplain.

So, in a few years the giant K of C building where you went to wedding receptions, and maybe had their own bowling alley and bar, will be a thing of the past. But you will find the K of C in a lot more parishes. Worldwide, the K of C is growing about 1% a year, but likely shrinking in the old rust belt dioceses, and growing in the sunbelt.

Likewise our councils and assemblies are growing, with new ones being created each year. The average age of Knights is also a bit younger. The trend here is that Knights are headquartered within parishes, rather than meeting in separate halls. This makes the K of C a much more visible presence within the parish, and creates a better relationship between them and the pastor, who is also more likely to become a Knight himself. This has been the new direction of the K of C, and is part of the growth pattern here in Georgia.

Until fairly recently, I didn’t even know that the Knights of Columbus had their own halls. It has always been parish-based in this area.

 

[babochka]

Off topic, but since there seem to be a fair number of Knights in this discussion, I’ll ask.

What is a practical Catholic?

 

[commenter]

Off topic, but since there seem to be a fair number of Knights in this discussion, I’ll ask.

What is a practical Catholic?

Candidates go before an admission committee. They affirm that they are a practical Catholic as understood by the Church. This means Eastern or Western Catholic, in union with the pope. It also means they are living in agreement with the sacraments - go to Mass regularly, not violating the Church’s teaching on marriage, etc. The good faith of the candidate is presumed, unless there is reason otherwise.