Recently I have been asked honestly why a Brother Knight should step into the Patriotic Degree. It took me aback at first, and I had to do some real soul-searching. Finally, I concluded that it’s a matter of serving our veterans and first responders, protecting the unborn, protecting our clergy and the Church, and honoring our Brothers throughout life.
It’s patriotic to serve those fighting for our freedoms or putting their lives in danger to protect and serve us. As someone that didn’t serve in the armed forces, I feel that it’s the least I can do to thank those men and women that make my family’s safety their mission. The Patriotic Degree is about serving these men and women. To provide for them. To thank them every day. To show them that their sacrifices didn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated. Our commitment to the flag or taking a few hours out of the year to thank these individuals with a smile and a brunch or standing at attention in the Arizona heat to remember the fallen that’s what the Patriotic Degree is about.
Catholics believe life begins at conception and goes until natural death. The Patriotic Degree stands firm in these beliefs. We are pressing our civic leaders to listen to reason and choose life. We can do this at the ballot box, but we must also do this publicly. We pray outside abortion clinics. We fight for the rights of the condemned, the unborn, and the outcast because, in them, we see Jesus.
We of the Patriotic Degree are the visible arm of our order; as such, we are called to be the loudest and most steadfast defenders of the faith. We protect our priests and bishops. We honor and protect the Eucharistic. We serve the Church as if it was Christ himself being served. Faith is at the heart of the Patriotic Degree and is the beginning of everything we do.
Honoring our Brother through the joys and sadnesses of life is a significant aspect of the Patriotic Degree. When we took our first degree, we were told the watchwords of our order, Tempus Fugit, Momento, Mori. Life is short, brothers. We need to celebrate the time we have. The Knights of Columbus Honor Guard is there for any member to celebrate those life moments. It could be a marriage, a baptism, confirmation, or a funeral. We are there to celebrate with our Brothers In Christ and honor their life achievements.
In conclusion, why join the Knights of Columbus Patriotic Degree? For me, it’s to serve our veterans and first responders, protect the unborn, protect our clergy and the Church, and honor our Brothers throughout their life. What will be your reason for joining the Patriotic Degree? This fraternal year we will have four opportunities throughout the state of Arizona. The first one is rapidly approaching. This Patriotic Degree Exemplification will occur on September 30, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Tucson. The next exemplification will be in the Phoenix area in November, and details are forthcoming. If you are interested, please get in touch with our membership team below.
Vivat Jesus!
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