![]() Many believe all Knights must wear the regalia, but it’s only for Fourth Degree members, “and even then you don’t have to wear the regalia,” he said. Heffernan said there are some misconceptions about the uniform. “If I was 80 years old I’m not going to go out and buy a new uniform.” “You’re always going to have the diehards who are going to wear the old regalia,” he said. Heffernan understands and sympathizes with those seeking to keep tradition alive. Supporter Jaclyn Magee wrote that the cape and chapeau “wowed and impressed” people, and “by changing this to a school boy uniform you are taking away that wow factor and making them look childish.” “The regalia as it stands is a sign of regal manhood and modernizing gives that up,” he said. Nevertheless, Chabot said the Knights are still perceived to be “an old gentlemen’s club” and the order should emphasize its roots of mission and service.Īmong comments on, 25-year-old Knight Shawn Roche said it was one of the traditions that brought him to the Knights. “We are definitely moving in the right direction. Local membership in the Knights is increasing every year, Schuster noted. Included in these numbers are several French, Ukrainian and Filipino councils. Since 1901, the Knights of Columbus in Alberta and Northwest Territories has grown to more than 175 councils and more than 18,000 members. Schuster declined to comment on the uniform specifically. Ron Schuster, the state deputy for Alberta and the Northwest Territories, said “it’s become a political issue and I don’t like that”, adding he has made his comments known to the Knights of Columbus head office in New Haven, Conn. “I didn’t join the Knights because they have cool uniforms, if that’s their recruitment strategy,” Chabot said. The board believes it will open the doors to a new generation of Knights. The vote came after three years of testing and discussion within the membership. In 2017 the international Knights’ board of directors unanimously voted to adopt a new uniform for the Fourth Degree and debuted the new look at the 135th Supreme Convention in St. The modernized version will be a blue blazer with the Fourth-Degree emblem, dark grey slacks, a blue Fourth Degree tie and a black beret. But it has remained relatively the same since 1940, consisting of a plumed chapeau, a tuxedo, a cape and a ceremonial sword. The overall uniform of the Fourth Degree has undergone several changes since it was adopted in 1900. ![]() “If I had to wear that regalia, I wouldn’t join the Knights,” is the refrain Heffernan said he has heard often. The Knights have been doing extensive research in how to attract new members and have heard one constant from men as to why they won’t join the order. It’s all part of the Knights’ efforts to attract new members, particularly younger men, said Dan Heffernan, Ontario state deputy for the Knights. The ceremonial swords will continue to be part of the Fourth Degree. The new uniform will be a jacket and beret, which bears a strong resemblance to the uniform of the Royal Canadian Legion. ![]() The preferred dress will no longer include the cape and chapeau. The Colour Corps, which acts as an honour guard at religious and civic functions, is distinguishable by its official regalia of tuxedo, cape, chapeau, white gloves and sword. July 1 will mark the end of a 79-year era when the Knights change the ceremonial regalia worn by the Colour Corps long associated with the fraternal Catholic order. By Mickey Conlon, Canadian Catholic NewsĪ longstanding tradition is coming to an end this summer as the Knights of Columbus discard the ceremonial capes and plumed chapeaus of its Fourth-Degree members.Knights of Columbus uniform makeover receives mixed reaction ![]()
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