MEMORANDUM

TO: Board of Directors, State Deputies, State Officers, State Membership Directors, State Program Directors, State Ceremonial Chairmen, State Chaplains, District Deputies, Grand Knights, Financial Secretaries, Council Chaplains, Council Membership Directors

FROM: Thomas McCaffrey – Vice President, Fraternal Excellence

RE: Exemplification of Charity, Unity & Fraternity

DATE: Jan. 16, 2020

The Knights of Columbus is pleased to release the new Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity.

Degree ceremonies impart lessons that inspire men to serve. This new ceremony teaches our time-honored principles in a way that is appropriate for today. It presents the lessons of charity, unity and fraternity in powerful contemporary language. It will significantly enhance a man’s first impression of the Order. It will do the same for his family and friends.

To better understand the ceremony, please view the following link where the Supreme Knight presents the reasons for the change and the process that developed it. The link includes a video of the ceremony. https://videos.kofc.org/exemplification

State Deputies, Ceremonial Chairmen, and their wives saw the ceremony in November. Some state leaders were authorized to start using it immediately. One of the first exemplifications took place on New Year’s Day in the basement of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, where Father Michael J. McGivney and a small group of dedicated Catholic men founded the Order. More than 50 men received the honors of full Knighthood in the presence of over 200 people. The responses from all were highly favorable.

Councils may use the new ceremony with permission of the State Deputies. Print the attached ceremonial script and refer to the frequently asked questions for guidance. DVDs and hard copies are not yet available. Old ceremonies may still be used at the State Deputy’s discretion until further notice. Submit questions and suggestions to the Director of Ceremonials at ceremonials@kofc.org.

Leaders are asked to communicate this change and its reasons to all members of the Order. This is the biggest change that most Knights will ever see. Make it a positive experience for them. Mitigate concerns by communicating the facts. Emphasize that the principles and mission of the Order remain the same. All Knights are on this journey together. The path to follow is faith in action. Please ask the Venerable Father McGivney to pray for the success of this endeavor. Vivat Jesus! Tom McCaffrey Vice President, Fraternal Excellence Knights of Columbus

Attachments:

Click to Download the Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity Script

Click to download the FAQs – Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity Knights of Columbus