Knights of Columbus
Exemplification Ceremony
Opening Prayer
Presiding Officer –
Reverend Father, my Brother Knights, ladies, and friends. Welcome to this
Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity. Let us stand and begin with
prayer.
Chaplain – In the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Let us pray. God, our
Father, you so loved the world that you sent us your only Son to suffer, die,
and rise for us, and for our salvation. Give us the grace to daily encounter
Our Lord Jesus Christ with a living faith and so come to know in our lives the
power of His love. Let us find in His Cross the strength to rise above our sins
and to be confirmed in virtue, so that we may live our vocations faithfully and
accomplish our work with integrity. Unite us, Lord, in the fraternity
of the Knights of Columbus as we bear witness to Christ, serving the needs of
others in charity, and keeping the commandments in the spirit of the
Beatitudes. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Presiding Officer –
Please be seated. By founding the Knights of Columbus in 1882, Blessed Father
Michael McGivney sought to establish a fraternal Order whose members live the
Christian virtues by means of the principles of Charity, Unity,
and Fraternity. He sought to unite members in their Catholic identity
as practical Catholics, that is, as Catholics who accept the teaching authority
of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals, who aspire to live in
accordance with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and who are in good
standing in the Catholic Church.
By your presence here
today, you pledge that this is your understanding and intention in joining the
Knights of Columbus.
At the time of our
founding, Catholics in America faced discrimination and bigotry. Many
immigrants were challenged by a hostile society that considered them outsiders
and incapable of full citizenship. Often these Catholics were tempted to
abandon their faith and the Sacraments.
The father was the
family’s primary wage earner and, with no social support network available,
frequently his untimely death was a catastrophic event. His widow and children
faced financial ruin and the breakup of their family. Removed from their
family’s home, children often found themselves removed from their family’s
faith.
Yet in the face of
these challenges, Father McGivney was determined to find a way to strengthen
the faith and families of his fellow Catholics.
Father McGivney’s
vision established our organization of local councils whose members sought to strengthen
their faith, to serve the needs of others, and to protect their families
through our insurance program.
The first members of
our Order chose the name Columbus to emphasize that from the earliest days of
the European exploration of America, Catholics had played an essential role.
Christopher Columbus was a revered hero in the 19th century who inspired the
names of cities throughout the United States, including the nation’s capital,
as well as a province in Canada and a nation in Latin America.
Those early Knights
recognized Christopher Columbus, not only as an explorer of
extraordinary skill and daring, but as a layman committed to bringing the
Good News of the Gospel to a New World.
Our founding members
chose to be called knights in recognition of the historic mission of Christian
knights — men who led lives of virtue, defended the Faith, and served those
in need.
In medieval times,
when Christian knights took up arms and put on their armor, they understood
that they were putting on the armor of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in order to
serve a higher calling. A knight was committed to the cardinal virtues of
prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. He was willing to sacrifice
himself for others, especially the poor and the vulnerable.
Although times have
changed, this higher calling has not. Today, we do not put on armor made by
fire and forge, but we are still called to put on the armor of Christ.
We are called, as St.
Paul tells us, to stand firm, with integrity as a breastplate, carrying the
shield of faith, wearing salvation as a helmet, and carrying the Word of God as
a sword.
Our Church is still
in need of men dedicated to this mission, men willing to be the strong right
arm of the Church.
The Knights of
Columbus is a brotherhood in service to the Catholic Church, bound together by
our principles of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity. For Knights of Columbus,
these principles find their origin and meaning in the Holy Eucharist. United to
Christ in the Eucharist, we go forth seeing Christ in each other and in those
we serve.
Listen now to the
lesson on Charity.
The Presiding Officer is seated and the Presenter on Charity assumes
the podium.
Lesson on Charity
Presenter on Charity –
Gentlemen, the first and foremost principle of our Order is Charity, the
greatest of all virtues and the crowning glory of a Christian life.
But the true
meaning of charity is often lost today. It is not merely a feeling, nor is it solely
a gift of time, talent or treasure. It is more than almsgiving. It is more than
good works.
Presenter on
Charity raises a crucifix while reading these lines:
The greatest act of
charity the world has ever known is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who freely
and willingly offered Himself for us on the Cross. Christ’s redeeming love is
the true measure of charity. Charity is a heart that sees Christ in our
neighbor. And through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can, like Christ,
make a sincere gift of ourselves to others.
Presenter on Charity lowers crucifix.
Charity is the virtue
that gave rise to chivalry. It is the essence of knighthood. A Christian knight
without charity was regarded as unworthy of his high calling.
Charity is that
priceless gift placed by God in the human soul to measure man’s allegiance to
his Creator. Charity is a duty, not a courtesy. It is an obligation imposed by
Heaven upon rich and poor alike.
Charity moves the
heart to comfort and console, advise and instruct, bear and forgive. In God and
with God, we love even those we do not know. This is the charity that
evangelizes. This is the charity that gladdens the heart.
The Presenter on Charity is seated and the Presiding Officer assumes
the podium.
Presiding Officer –
Charity is our authentic witness to God through our good works. Charity is
stronger and a greater service to the community when we are united.
Listen now to the
lesson on Unity.
The Presiding Officer is seated and the Presenter on Unity assumes the
podium.
Lesson on Unity
Presenter on Unity –
Gentlemen, to be a Knight of Columbus means that you possess unity in purpose
and unity in action, which come from our shared Catholic faith and the grace of
the Holy Spirit.
It is appropriate that
Unity follow our first principle of Charity, as charity binds together
everything in perfect harmony.
The unity of our Order
is founded in the sacred unity of our Church, which arises from the unity of
God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our unity expresses our belief in
one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, and one God and Father of us all.
The principle of Unity
is first experienced at home. Marriage is a unique and irreplaceable sign of
God’s love for His Church. The faithfulness and fruitfulness of married love is
the foundation of the family. And the Christian family is an icon of the loving
communion within the Blessed Trinity.
Brother Knights and
their families encourage one another to establish loving homes that
cultivate virtue and holiness. In a divided world, where many find it
difficult to truly encounter God, Knights of Columbus families live their
faith, fulfill their mission, and evangelize the world.
History offers
countless examples of small groups of men who surmounted overwhelming odds
because they were joined together by a common purpose. It is not on the size of
the army that victory depends, since our strength comes from Heaven.
Christ calls us to
unity with Him and with each other. To increase unity in our Church and our
families is one of the great missions of the Knights of Columbus. Our Order
prays and works to bring about the unity Our Lord wills for his Church and for
our families.
When we stand united,
our Order is a force for the defense of our faith, our families, and one
another.
Jesus told his
disciples: “Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear
fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you
remain in me. … Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.”[1]
Now, we will impress
upon you the strength men possess when united in pursuit of a common purpose.
Candidates, please
stand.
Warden, distribute the
fibers to the candidates.
The Warden gives each candidate a piece of fiber (string).
Please turn and face
the audience.
The candidates turn to face the audience.
Gentlemen, break the
fiber.
The candidates break the fibers.
Please be seated.
The candidates are seated.
Now observe: when
individual fibers are bound together, they become a strong cable.
The Warden pulls on the cable thrice to demonstrate its strength.
As the fibers are to
the cable, so are you to our Order. The strength of any cable depends upon the
quality of the fibers, and their perfect union.
Dedicated to the
principle of Unity, we pray with Our Lord that his followers “may all be one.”
The Presenter on Unity is seated and the Presiding Officer assumes the
podium.
Presiding Officer –
Long ago, Father McGivney proposed an ideal model of unity for the Catholic men
of his parish. He envisioned a fraternal brotherhood — Catholic men supporting
each other and their families, united in Christ and building up His body. His
vision continues today as his Order works to strengthen Catholic families
and parishes.
Listen now to the
lesson on Fraternity.
The Presiding Officer is seated and the Presenter on Fraternity
assumes the podium.
Lesson on
Fraternity
Presenter on
Fraternity – Gentlemen, a Knight of Columbus is a man of integrity. He takes
responsibility for his actions. He is also a man for others. He guards and
protects those under his care. He stands united with his brothers and with them
he puts his faith into action.
A Knight of Columbus
is called to fraternal charity with his brother Knights. And he is called to a
fraternal unity with them. Psalm 133 proclaims, “How good and how pleasant it
is when brothers dwell together as one!”[2]
United by Baptism
and the Eucharist, Knights of Columbus stand ready as brothers to bear one
another’s burdens. Where there is a spiritual or material need, we assist
one another by prayer, counsel and practical support.
Our Lord calls us to
live in fraternal communion, and to encourage one another.
We follow the counsel
of St. John the Evangelist, who told us: “Whoever does not love a brother whom
he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. This is the commandment we
have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”3
Our bond of Fraternity
is not merely a lofty principle. It is the way of life of a steadfast Knight of
Columbus strengthened by the Holy Spirit. It is the responsibility of every Knights
of Columbus council to be an exemplary model of Catholic fraternity.
In times past, a
candidate for knighthood spent the eve of his knighting in a church, upon his
knees, placing his sword and shield before the altar of the King of Kings, his
Lord and God.
Today, Knights of
Columbus continue to serve this same king — Christ the King, truly present in
the Eucharist.
While founded as an
organization of Catholic laymen, our Order has always had a special
relationship with our priests. We owe our very existence to the vision and
determination of one parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, whose heroic
virtue continues to inspire us today.
The Knights of
Columbus was, is, and always shall be a brotherhood in solidarity with our
priests whose ministry makes Christ present to us in the Eucharist.
The Presenter on Fraternity is seated and the Presiding Officer
assumes the podium.
Presiding Officer –
You have heard that the virtue of Charity is the guiding principle of our
Order. You have heard that there is strength when men work in Unity for a
common cause. You have heard that Fraternity is an abiding fellowship with
Christ and with your brother Knights.
As Catholics, we know
that death does not have the final word! Our fraternal greeting is “Vivat Jesus!” which means “May Jesus
Live!” With this greeting we recognize one another as brother Knights and
we profess the hope by which we are saved.
Pause.
Presiding Officer – The
perpetual watchword of our Order is “Tempus
Fugit. Memento Mori.” which means “Time flies. Remember death.” We must
remain vigilant, for we know not the day, nor the hour, when we will be called
to give an account of our life. We must prepare for our death spiritually. And it is our duty to protect those who have
been entrusted to our care by God — to be good stewards and to safeguard their
future. The financial protection of our families remains fundamental to Father
McGivney’s vision and the mission of the Knights of Columbus.
Promises
Presiding Officer – To
profess your commitment to our principles, I now ask our candidates and all the
brother Knights here present to rise.
Candidates and all brother Knights stand.
Candidates and brother
Knights, raise your right hand and respond “I do” to the following questions.
Candidates and all brother Knights raise their right hands.
Presiding Officer – Do
you promise to conduct yourself as a Catholic gentleman, and to live your life
guided by the principles of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity?
Gentlemen – I do.
Presiding Officer – As
a practical Catholic, do you promise to continue to form yourself in the Catholic Faith,
to live in accord with the Precepts of the Catholic Church, and to
participate in its sacramental life, especially through attendance at Sunday
Mass?
Gentlemen – I do.
Do you promise to promote the well-being of your
brother
Knights, and to support the mission and activities of your council? Gentlemen –
I do.
Presiding Officer – Having reviewed and signed the
Constitutional Roll, do you promise to obey the laws, rules and lawful
authority of the Order? Gentlemen – I do.
Presiding Officer –
Gentlemen, your promises are hereby accepted. Please lower your hand and be
seated.
Let us now invoke the
protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Discourse on the
Rosary
Presenter on Charity –
As Knights of Columbus, we turn always to the gentle and glorious Virgin Mary,
our Queen and our Mother. The Order is entrusted to the protection of the
Blessed Mother under her title: Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Mary’s love encircles
us, drawing us closer to her Divine Son. Under the mantle of her protection, we
take up her Holy Rosary.
Presenter raises
aloft a rosary and holds it through the following invocations. Mary,
Mother of God, with her Knights,
for the sanctity of human life
in all stages. Mary, heart of the Holy Family, with her Knights, for
faithful marriages and joyful families.
Mary, the
Immaculate Conception, with her Knights, for
decency and purity in our world.
Mary, to whom her Son would refuse nothing, with her
Knights, for justice and compassion for the
downtrodden and all those who suffer.
Her Holy Rosary in our
hands going where we go.
The salutation “Hail
Mary” on our lips.
What challenge can we
not face?
What victories can we
not achieve?
Presenter on Charity lowers the rosary and returns to his seat. The
Presiding Officer assumes the podium.
I invite our [Investing Officer(s)] forward to invest you
with a Rosary and the
Emblem of the Order.
The Investing Officer(s) enters the sanctuary, bows to the altar and
steps to a side table where the rosaries and lapel pins are placed.
The Warden will now
escort the candidates forward.
The Warden brings the candidates forward and arranges them around the
perimeter of the Sanctuary. The Investing Officer(s) and candidates bow to the
altar.
Presiding Officer –
Gentlemen, please present your hands [he demonstrates] joined as if in prayer, and
turn to face the audience to receive the Rosary of Mary our Queen.
The candidates turn to receive the rosaries and lapel pins.
Invest each candidate with a rosary, using these words.
Investing Officer(s) – Carry
it always and pray it as often as you can.
Presiding Officer –
Gentlemen, you will now receive the Emblem of the Order.
Present each candidate with a lapel pin, using these words.
Investing Officer(s) – Wear
it always with pride, dignity, and honor.
If a priest is present, he gives a final blessing:
And may the blessing
of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, @
and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you for ever.
Amen.
In the absence of a priest, the Presiding Officer concludes:
In the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Presiding Officer –
Please join me in congratulating our newly invested Third Degree Knights of
Columbus with a round of applause. Leads applause.
Presiding Officer refers to next page for instructions on closing
remarks.
Closing Remarks
At this point the
ceremony is complete. Guests and members should be excited about the lessons
learned and the significant commitments made by the new Knights. You should
quickly enhance their new fraternal spirit by socializing with them and their
families. So, keep the closing remarks brief and limited to the following key
points:
1. The
Presiding Officer should introduce the host Grand Knight.
2. The
host Grand Knight should:
•
Congratulate the new members.
•
Thank the team members and Chaplain / Pastor.
•
Encourage the new members and their families to
get involved in council activities at every opportunity.
•
Mention the Honoree for the Exemplification.
•
Invite everyone to the dinner or reception or
other post ceremony event.
•
Introduce the highest-ranking Officer present.
If no one is present, cover their talking points.
3. The
highest-ranking officer should:
•
Congratulate the new members.
•
Encourage the new members and their families to
evangelize the faith through actions of service with their councils.
•
Stress the importance for Knights of Columbus to
be parish leaders in the support of our Church, particularly in efforts to
evangelize our faith.
•
Encourage the new members to advance to the
Fourth Degree.
4. The
Grand Knight should introduce the Chaplain or Pastor.
•
Ask him for closing comments and to bless the
meal, if applicable.
5. The
Grand Knight should conclude the event.
•
Announce that the formal ceremony is concluded.
Then invite members and guests to personally congratulate the new Knights and
enjoy the reception.