![]() ![]() They are a joke and I hope they die out quickly. This group is a lay religious order supporting sexism above all else. Overall, Knights numbers are stable, even growing worldwide, with almost 2 million members across the globe. While there has been resistance, there has also been significant buy-in, Heffernan said. Members pushed for a grandfather clause to allow Knights, particularly older members, to continue to wear the old regalia and it was granted, he said. The Knights have recognized this, and the old regalia has not been outlawed. "If I was 80 years old, I'm not going to go out and buy a new uniform." "You're always going to have the diehards who are going to wear the old regalia," he said. Heffernan understands and sympathizes with those seeking to keep tradition alive. That included an online petition that garnered almost 10,000 signatures "to reconsider the consequence of this proposed change and keep the existing regalia of the Fourth Degree Assemblies that the Knights and the rest of the world has come to recognize and love." The move has been met with significant resistance, much of it from Canada, Heffernan said. Board members believe it will open the doors to a new generation of Knights. The vote came after three years of testing and discussion within the membership. The new look debuted at the 135th Supreme Convention in St. In 2017, the international Knights' board of directors unanimously voted to adopt a new uniform for the fourth degree. ![]() The modernized version will be a blue blazer with the fourth-degree emblem, dark gray slacks, a blue tie and a black beret. But it has remained relatively the same since 1940, consisting of a plumed chapeau, a tuxedo, a cape and a ceremonial sword. The uniform of the fourth degree has undergone several changes since it was adopted in 1900. You're just not part of the color guard." "You could become a member, be a fourth degree and never buy a uniform. Many believe all Knights must wear the regalia, but it's only for fourth degree members, "and even then you don't have to wear the regalia," he said. Heffernan said some misconceptions exist about the uniform. Several men noted the cape and chapeau as drawbacks. It was a major point raised in a roundtable in March at the Archdiocese of Toronto chancery when the Knights gathered a group of men to discuss their impressions of the organization. "If I had to wear that regalia, I wouldn't join the Knights," is the refrain Heffernan said he has heard often. The Knights have undertaken extensive research in how to attract new members and have heard one constant from men as to why they won't join the order. It's all part of the Knights' efforts to attract new members, particularly younger men, said Dan Heffernan, Ontario state deputy for the organization. The ceremonial swords will continue to be part of the uniform. ![]() The new uniform will be a jacket and beret. ![]() The preferred dress for fourth-degree members worldwide will no longer include the cape and chapeau. The Color Corps, which acts as an honor guard at religious and civic functions, is distinguishable by its official regalia of tuxedo, cape, chapeau, white gloves and sword. July 1 will mark the end of a 79-year era when the Knights change the ceremonial Color Corps regalia long associated with the fraternal Catholic order. TORONTO (CNS) - A long-standing tradition will end this summer as the Knights of Columbus discard the ceremonial capes and plumed chapeaus of its fourth-degree members. ![]()
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