Degrees
The Fourth Degree is the highest degree of the order. Members
of this degree are addressed as "Sir Knight". The main purpose of the
Fourth Degree is to foster patriotism and to encourage active Catholic
citizenship. Fewer than 18% of Knights join the optional Fourth Degree.
A Knight is eligible to join after one year from the date of his First
Degree, providing he has completed the 2nd and 3rd degrees beforehand.
Assemblies are distinct from councils
and are led by a separate set of elected officers. The Supreme Board of
Directors appoints a Supreme Master, currently Joseph P. Schultz, and
twenty Vice Supreme Masters, to govern the Fourth Degree. Each Vice
Supreme Master oversees a Province which is then broken up into
Districts. The Supreme Master appoints District Masters to supervise
several assemblies.
Each assembly is led by a Navigator. Other elected assembly officers
include the Captain, Admiral, Pilot, Scribe, Purser, Comptroller,
Sentinels and Trustees. A Friar and Color Corps Commander are appointed
by the Navigator. Assembly officers are properly addressed by using the
title "faithful" (e.g. Faithful Navigator). Assemblies are numbered in
the order in which they chartered into the Order and are named by the
local membership.