Twenty-five men, including four priests and Bishop James Ruggieri, were exemplified into the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus during a ceremony held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland on August 15.

The Fourth Degree, added to the degrees of charity, unity, and fraternity in 1900, is dedicated to patriotism and a commitment to faithful citizenship. 

“Our patriotism is a natural expression of our brotherhood and arises from our commitment to charity, unity, and fraternity,” District Master Jon Harvey told the men.

During the exemplification, each of the men received fourth-degree pins and were ceremonially knighted.

“I believe that with the Fourth Degree, it’s going to give me full commitment and full responsibility to carry out my faith in action,” said Chidozie Ozigbo, a member of newly formed Council 18919 from the Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes.

“They’re a wonderful fraternity among our men who are really trying to live out Blessed Michael McGivney’s vision in service to families, in service to the Church. So, when I was invited to become a Fourth Degree, receiving the patriotism degree, I was very eager to do so,” the bishop said.

“The Knights stand for strong Christian values, and becoming a Fourth-Degree Knight means fully committing to them. I felt called to make that commitment,” said Father Nsame Venantius, administrator of Stella Maris Parish in Bucksport.

“I liked the way that they live their Catholic faith, the way that they put their Catholic faith into action by making the world a better place,” said Gregory Hines from St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Bangor.

In addition to Father Venantius, the priests becoming Fourth-Degree Knights included Father Seamus Griesbach, rector of the cathedral and pastor of the other Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes; Father Sylvester Nwaokolo, OP, parochial vicar of the Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes; and Father Felix Udolisa, OP, parochial vicar of St. Michael Parish in Augusta.

 “The Knights of Columbus is first and foremost a fraternal organization that is meant to really bind Catholic men together in their common faith and as good citizens of our country and contributors to society,” said Father Griesbach. “I think that mission is needed more than ever in our time.”