The most visible arm of the Knights of Columbus is the Color Corps of the Fourth Degree. Dressed formally in black tuxedo, and with the addition of a colorful cape, chapeau with ostrich feathers, and carrying a sword, these indicate to all that the Knights of Columbus are truly present. Many have seen Color Corps at liturgical affairs, civic affairs, and Knights of Columbus affairs, indicating the importance of the event or the principal attendee.
The video below describes in detail about the Color Corp. The Color Corp is the the visible arm of the order.
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The Visible Arm of the Order [ Video: 19 min. 47 sec.]
This is a training video emphasizing proper procedures for common rituals, proper handling of the sword, and protocol. It is a companion piece to the Fourth Degree Drill Manual and serves as visual representation of the instructions in the manual.
Each Fourth Degree Assembly forms a Color Corps under the direction of the Assembly’s Color Corps Commander and provides Honor Guards for Wakes for members, First Holy Communions, Confirmations, and the installations of Council and Assembly officers.
You can view the current copy of the Color Corp Drill Manual from Supreme here. To view the Color Corp Drill Manual, you will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader which can be obtained here:
To View Color Corp Drill Manual.
For major events within a Fourth Degree District, the Assembly Color Corps unite under the direction of the District Marshal.
The Corps basically follows a naval theme with ranks and insignia. Note that the chapeaux, which are never called hats, are similar to the old naval uniforms.
Cape colors are an indication of rank as follows:
- Vice Supreme Master, in charge of a Province, wears Blue cape and chapeaux.
- Master, in charge of a District, wears Gold cape and chapeaux.
- District Marshal (District level Color Corps Commander) wears Green cape and chapeaux.
- Faithful Navigator, in charge of an Assembly, wears White cape and chapeaux.
- Color Corps Commander wears Purple cape and chapeaux.
- Other Color Corps Members wear Red capes and White chapeaux.
All Fourth Degree Sir Knights of Columbus are encouraged to join their Assembly’s Color Corps. Joining is easy and no prior military experience is required, and it is not expensive. If you are presently a member of the Fourth Degree and would be interested in joining the Color Corps contact our Faithful Navigator or our Color Corps Commander.
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