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Regalia a sign of chivalry

The chivalric knights of medieval times are not all dead. The patriotism and guardianship of old is what the Knights of Columbus strive to live in their service to the Church today.

The Catholic fraternal benefit organization prides itself on exemplifying charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism, all in the name of honoring Christ.

Externally, their service shows through colorful capes and dignified plumes members wear during liturgies, funerals and assemblies, said Claude Trujillo, district master of the Colorado Knights.

“We are what we call ‘the right hand of the Catholic Church,’” Trujillo said. “If we go in our fourth-degree regalia you are going to recognize us. We’re trying to be a visible hand of the Church.”

Trujillo said their regalia raises dignity and shows pride in their service.

Each officer in the Knights’ fourth-degree wears a certain color to signify his office. Over each Knight’s black tuxedo, members will don a cape with an emblem patch on the left shoulder, a baldric or sash, white gloves and a sword.

The members also wear a chapeau that is topped with a plume.

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A Knight’s rank can be known by noting the color of the cape and plume. Supreme masters wear dark blue, while vice supreme masters wear light blue.

Trujillo, district master, wears a gold cape with a gold plume while the state marshal wears green.

After that, the faithful navigator wears white and the assembly commander wears purple. Members of the color corps office wear red capes with white plumes.

“It’s throughout the order like that. The colors don’t change,” said Trujillo, who attends Holy Name of Mary Parish in Del Norte.

Swords also denote one’s rank. Faithful navigators may carry a white handled silver sword while masters and vice supreme masters carry gold swords.

Knights may also wear pins signifying their fourth-degree status.

The following is a guide to knowing the rank of a Knights of Columbus dressed in regalia based on the colors of their cape and plume.

 

KNIGHTS RANK
The following is a guide to knowing the rank of a Knights of Columbus dressed in regalia based on the colors of their cape and plume.

Rank Color
Supreme Master Dark blue
Vice Supreme Master Light blue
District Master Gold
Marshal Green
Faithful navigator White
Assembly commander Purple
Color corps member Red and white

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