Knights of Columbus Retire Distinctive Uniform on July 1

WATERBURY – On June 30, 2019, 65 members of the Knights of Columbus donned their iconic feathered chapeaus and capes one last time. The Knights of Columbus have discarded the ceremonial capes and plumed chapeaus of its fourth-degree members as of July 1.

The Knights had traveled from different councils and assemblies throughout the state (and beyond) to be a part of the procession. They gathered in front of the Father Michael J. McGivney statue at the intersections of Meadow and Grand streets in Waterbury.

Click to view WTNH video of the event.

The Rev. James Sullivan, the new pastor at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, led the Knights in prayer. Then, processing behind a bagpiper, the group walked through a soaking rain toward the historic Basilica for one final Mass in the full regalia.

The Republican-American quoted Sheridan Council Grand Knight Bryan P. Baker as remarking: “This was one last time for me [and fellow knights] to put on the cape and chapeau and kind of recognize the tradition. It was a really great turnout.”

The Color Corps, which is made up of fourth degree Knights, acts as an honor guard at religious and civic functions, and was always distinguishable by its official regalia of tuxedo, cape, chapeau, white gloves and sword.

According to one local Knight with whom I spoke, the Knights will now wear military-style blazers and berets instead of the capes and feathery hats that they have worn for so many years. The ceremonial swords will continue to be part of the uniform.

The leaders of the Knights of Columbus made the change in an attempt to modernize the fraternal group, and to attract new younger members.

Not all of the local members of the KofC are happy about the change in which they feel they had no voice, and many Catholics would agree. In fact, the change has been met with significant resistance, especially in Canada. According to americamagazine.org, the resistance “included an online petition that garnered almost 10,000 signatures ‘to reconsider the consequence of this proposed change and keep the existing regalia…’”

The fourth degree members of the fraternal Catholic order were never required to purchase the uniform, which predictably were not inexpensive. However, if they did not, they were not able to be a part of the Color Corps.

The beloved version of the fourth degree uniform had remained relatively unchanged since 1940. The modernized version will be a blue blazer with the fourth-degree emblem, dark gray slacks, a blue tie and a black beret.

Since my paternal grandfather dressed in the classic chapeau and cape to serve at a funeral Mass or other special occasion when I was a child, the respect shown by the Knights in that uniform has stayed with me. While I can begrudgingly acknowledge both sides of the issue, I will definitely miss seeing the classic cape and feathered chapeau at church functions.

In 2017, the KofC posted this explanation of the uniform change in a post titled A NEW UNIFORM, THE SAME MISSION ORDER INTRODUCES A HISTORIC CHANGE TO THE FOURTH DEGREE UNIFORM

Some excerpts:
“Understandably, some members may prefer the old regalia, but the supreme master and vice supreme masters urge all Fourth Degree members to put the good and unity of the Order before personal preference...The board of directors made this decision earlier this year after a three-year period of testing and discussion. In addition, the change was previously discussed with the vice supreme masters at the Supreme Assembly... For years, supreme officers and directors have received comments from members and prospective members that the old regalia was a barrier either to membership in general or to membership in the Fourth Degree.”

The official Knight of Columbus stance is that as of July 1, 2019, only the new uniform should be worn.

Our brother knight, friend, and now Father Chris Ford following his first mass held at Saint Francis of Assisi Church last month in Naugatuck. The Knights are wearing their previous regalia.