You’ve seen the men in black tuxedos, plumed hats, capes,
white gloves and drawn swords at important diocesan or civic
events. Often they’re there to escort Arlington Bishop Paul
S. Loverde or other diocesan dignitaries down the aisle of a
church or cathedral. The men in the plumed hats are a special
division of fourth-degree Knights of Columbus called the
color corps.
A third-degree Knight in good standing can become a
fourth-degree Knight – also known as the patriotic degree –
and some of those Knights elect to become members of the
color corps. The color corps exemplifies charity, unity,
fraternity and patriotism.
Fourth-degree Knights belong to assemblies, joining Knights
from several councils in a district.
Past faithful navigator Tom Fahey of the Potomac Assembly 220
in Alexandria, has been a Knight for 42 years and a member of
the color corps for eight.
“(I joined) to bear Catholic witness for our country,” said
Fahey.
You can’t wield a sword – even a ceremonial one – without
training, so every assembly has a color corps commander
responsible for the training and practice of color corps
members. A part of that training is found in the Color Corps
Drill Manual that gives specifics of dress and ceremony. In
Virginia, color corps members are certified every two years
to ensure they can perform the drills.
The regalia requirements for a fourth-degree Knight are
unambiguous: black tuxedo, white tuxedo shirt, black bow tie,
tuxedo studs and cuff links, black cummerbund and black
shoes. A social baldric, or sword sash, is worn under the
jacket. The regalia are worn at formal events.
A color corps member adds to the standard fourth-degree dress
with a cape, colored to signify office, and a black chapeau,
or hat, that’s worn with a colored plume also representing
the official color of the office. For example, an assembly
commander would wear a purple cape and a chapeau with a
purple plume. White gloves and a service baldric, a belt worn
to carry a weapon or a drum, are also required.
The regalia are only one part of the color corps
requirements. The use of swords is dependent on diocesan
policies, so there are procedures for the color corps with
and without swords.
The sword is an important part of the Knights’ uniform. In
the middle ages, the code of chivalry required knights to
carry swords to defend their God, their church and their
country. Fourth-degree Knights of Columbus carry swords to
honor Christ and His apostles, and to encourage active
Catholic citizenship and patriotism.
A separate Manual of the Sword explains the minutiae of sword
protocol, including how it’s removed from the scabbard, how
it’s presented and carried and even how it should rest when
the Knight is sitting.
The order of precedence for processions and recessions are
detailed in the Color Code Protocol. The removal of the
chapeau before Mass, its resting place during Mass, and its
placement on the head after Mass are explained in the manual.
Particular requirements for ceremonies like wakes,
Eucharistic adorations, laying a cornerstone and funerals all
require attention to specific protocols. It’s considered an
honor to be chosen for the color corps.
Bob Dannemiller is a past faithful navigator of the Commodore
John Barry Assembly 1163 in Arlington who has been in the
color corps for eight years. He had a personal reason for
joining the color corps.
“It’s a family tradition,” he said. “I’m using my father’s
sword.”
Whether it’s an ordination, a funeral or church dedication,
the Knights of Columbus color corps brings a certain flair
and pride to the occasion. When you see these elegantly
dressed men in the plumed hats remember that they are there
to honor God and country – and they know how to use a sword.
Borowski can be reached at [email protected] or on
Twitter @DBorowskiACH.
