Jan 16, 2020, 4:57 PM

My Brothers,

By now many of you have heard of the new Combined Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity. Crafted in response to a resolution passed at the Supreme Convention this past year introduced by the State of Illinois, the exemplification incorporates elements of the First, Second and Third Degree into a single ceremony lasting approximately ½ hour. The exemplification is designed to be performed by councils in a church (or hall) and witnessed by family and friends. Gone is the element of secrecy. Rather, it is an invitation for the entire family to become active along with their husband or father in their parish and council activities.

Councils are free to immediately perfect and perform the new exemplification using the links to the script and frequently asked questions listed below. A demonstration video of the combined exemplification can be viewed at https://videos.kofc.org/exemplification which includes an introduction by Supreme Knight Carl Anderson describing the process by which the exemplification was developed. With this new exemplification councils can now not only initiate new members, but also advance their First and Second Degree members to Third Degree by participating in the 1/2 hour ceremony. Spanish versions of the script and video are scheduled to be released in the near future.

Traditional Second and Third Degrees may continue to be scheduled for the foreseeable future, and those already scheduled may continue as arranged. I would admonish participants that traditional standalone Admission, Formation and Knighthood Degrees should continue to be treated with the same level of dignity and secrecy afforded to them over the years. The Fourth Degree Exemplification remains unchanged and will continue as a standalone degree as it has in the past.

Following are links to the exemplification script and frequently asked questions:
Click to Download the Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity Script
Click to download the FAQs – Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity

District Deputies should continue to complete Form 450 each time a degree exemplification is performed. The Form 450 has been updated to include the new combined exemplification and can be downloaded from the Supreme website at http://www.kofc.org/un/en/forms/district/dd_degree_report450_p.pdf .

The combined exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity was previewed earlier this month by District Deputies, State and Chapter Leadership attending the Mid-Year District Deputy Meeting in Ontario and generated a considerable amount of excitement. It presents a historic and unparalleled step in advancing men to leadership in our Order and a stepping stone to the Fourth Degree. Chapter and District leadership are charged with facilitating adoption of the combined exemplifications within their respective areas.

Questions may be addressed either to myself directly, State Membership Director TW Starkweather at membership@californiaknights.org or Assistant State Membership Director Larry Dietz at ldietz831@gmail.com. Requests for information, degree materials or traditional stand alone degrees should continue to be directed to the Ceremonials Coordinator in your area and State Ceremonials Chairman PSD Timothy Carvalho at ceremonials@californiaknights.org.

May God bless,

Dave Abbott
State Deputy
Knights of Columbus
California State Council