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

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Which KofC 4th Degree Color Guard Uniform would you prefer to see Knights wear at big/particularly important Masses?


The current uniform which was released within the last few months.


Or its predecessor.
  • Current 4th Degree KofC Color Guard Uniform
  • FOrmer 4th Degree KofC Color Guard Uniform
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I like the new uniform.

I’m a 1st degree Knight and I had no interest to wear the old uniform which I feel is goofy and antiquated.

Now I have more incentive to become 4th degree. It reminds me of my military uniform. And are we not Knights of the Church Militant? Why shouldn’t we look Militant?

The old uniform looks like something out of a Renaissance fair.

IMO the guy on top looks like a Soldier of Christ.

The guy on bottom looks like a cheeseball playing dress up.
 
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I know this is an unpopular view, but I definitely prefer the new uniform. In fact, I’ve long told my husband that I don’t want him to join the 4th Degree because he’d have to spend money on that silly uniform and I don’t know that I could see him wear it without laughing. When I saw the new uniform, I joked that he could finally join the 4th degree. I do think they should have kept the bowtie, though. It adds elegance.
 
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I very much agree. MANY men’s organizations defined their “dress uniforms” around the same time – near the beginning of the 20th Century. The KofC, Oddfellows, Knights of Pythias, Freemasons, etc., etc. Most were tuxedos (or tails) with a bunch of accouterments. It became a competition after awhile. Some uniforms began to look awfully clownish after awhile.

While I might have come up with something a bit different than the new uniform, it is a badly needed update.
 
The new uniform will look nice and practical at most functions. But can they still wear the old one for the Solemn Pontifical EF Masses where the bishop is showing up in the 20-foot cape? They will look kind of plain without their capes and hats in the procession.
 
Doesn’t seem unpopular at all…

Everyone on this thread so far prefers the new.

And the KoC adopted the new because they saw a huge need for it and because people wanted it.

I think it will help revitalize the Knights. We have to do something to attract young men. We cannot survive with 80% of our organization being 60+ years old.
 
I don’t like either of them. I don’t like berets or whatever those plumed hats are called. The weird cape seems to be gone in the new one, so I’d go with the new one if I was forced to make myself ostentatious.

If I was going to wear some sort of special attire, I would prefer a robe or alb, but I can understand not wanting to be confused with a religious.
 
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Usually charitable work. Ours sponsors the Boy Scout Troop as well. They have a fundraiser that provides scholarships to the parish school.
 
The KofC is largely an insurance company for Catholics. Some councils/squadrons are also quite busy in supporting their parishes with fundraising and that sort of thing. Others focus more on fellowship amongst themselves.
 
TK421 said:
I don’t like either of them. I don’t like berets or whatever those plumed hats are called. The weird cape seems to be gone in the new one, so I’d go with new one if I was forced to dress up like a set for a musical.
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Chapeaus. They’re called chapeaus.
 
Like most, if not almost all, fraternal organizations, the K of C functions in part as a life insurance fraternity. It is not a “company” per se.
 
The K of C was founded before workmen’s comp and social security were established as government programs. A lot of people, particularly immigrants had a tough time protecting their families, and many of the jobs in the mines and mills were pretty hazardous.

Selling insurance was a pretty important role. Other fraternal outfits like the Lutheran Brotherhood and Greek Catholic Union did this for their own constituencies
 
Some councils are based in, or actually part of, a parish. They function as a parish organization, under the pastor. They do volunteer work, raise funds, support parish activities. But they also function as part of a national, or international entity, with strong (name removed by moderator)ut from the bishops in their nation, and the local bishop of their diocese. They promote prolife, religious liberty, and many other causes supported by the pope and bishops. Go to KofC.org
 
KoC in parishes I have been in is like the Masons for Catholics. They run a lot of fundraisers such as fish fries in Lent and spaghetti dinners the rest of the year. They participate in special Masses like when Padre Pio’s relics or the Bishop come around. They also often participate in community events like having a booth at the local street fair to raise money for the Church or for charity.

Edited to add, I forgot the insurance part though I’m not sure that is so key anymore now that people have lots of places to get insurance and widows have better support.

And they do often have a social/ prayer club function as well so men can hang out with other men from their parish.
 
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Yes, similar to “Woodsmen of the World”, “the International Order of Oddfellows”, "the Foresters (also Catholic), etc.

Yes, one does have to be a male Catholic in good standing to join the KofC.
 
I am fourth degree, but not in the Color Corp. I prefer the new outfits. The old outfits (I am told) are extremely hot at times, and the men sweat a lot. To my eye they look like something out of Europe 150 years ago, rather than something contemporary for the US. (Don’t know what the European Knights think of it).

Even though only a small fraction of Knights belong to the Color Corp, some people in general think all Knights wear that uniform, and I think that is a deterrent to joining.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
I forgot the insurance part though I’m not sure that is so key anymore now that people have lots of places to get insurance and widows have better support.
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BY FAR the biggest component of the KofC is their insurance sales. Google a look at their HQ sometimes. It’s not an HQ building of a fraternal organization but one of a large insurance company.
 
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