
Knights Of Columbus
Bishop Verot Council # 5845
Post Office
Box 372845
Satellite
Beach, Florida 32937-0845 |
John F.
Kennedy Assembly #1593
Post Office Box 410584
Melbourne, FL 32941 |
Each Council Officer has his own ceremonial robe and a metal emblem
called a jewel worn
on a ribbon around the neck. Officers' robes are all of the general
design called the Columbus Robe. It is a flowing robe with inserted yoke,
usually white. The opening is in the back with invisible clasps. There are
inner or coat sleeves and outer or flowing sleeves. There is a standing
collar, open in front, and a cowl or hood. Three belt straps are provided
around the waist for a cincture or belt containing two tabs. The cincture
is worn so that the tabs hang down along the left side of the body, but
not on the hip. The tabs are ended in fringe. The mantle, as prescribed
for the State Deputy, Grand Knight and Chancellor, is a sleeveless coat
with large arm holes, and is worn over the Columbus Robe.
The Chaplain provides spiritual guidance to the Council. His emblem is
the Cross, worn on a black ribbon. The robe, too, is black with black
trimming and yoke with white projecting collar. The cincture is black with
silver fringe.
The Grand Knight is the Chief Executive Officer of the Council and is
responsible for all aspects of Council operation. He presides over
Council meetings and is ex-officio member
of all committees. His emblem, the Anchor carried on a purple ribbon,
is indicative of Columbus,
the Mariner. It has also been a variant form of the Cross for centuries.
His is a royal purple robe with white cincture with silver fringe. A
purple mantle with white roll collar is also worn.
The Deputy Grand Knight acts on behalf of the Grand Knight in his
absence and also serves as General Programs Director at Fr. Rosensteel
Council. His emblem,
the Compass, was also used by Columbus, the Mariner. The Knights of
Columbus Compass, with its points being Charity, Unity, Fraternity and
Patriotism, is known as the Compass of Virtue; its 32 flame-like
rays represent the 32 virtues which may be possessed by men. It is hung
from a purple ribbon. His robe is the same as the Grand Knight, but without
the mantle.
The Chancellor is the third ranking Council Officer. He is in charge
of Vocations and indoctrinating new members into Council activities.
At Fr. Rosensteel Council, the Chancellor usually acts as Council
Activities Chairman as well. His emblem is the Isabella
Cross, with Skull and Crossbones; it is worn on a black over white ribbon.
The Cross is self-explanatory,
while the Skull and Crossed Bones are symbolic of man's mortality. The
Chancellor wears a black robe trimmed with white and a white cincture
with silver fringe. He also wears a black mantle with white roll collar.
The Financial Secretary records all money transactions, issues and
collects bills, issues membership cards, and is otherwise responsible
for all financial matters of the Council except those allocated to
the Treasurer. His emblem is a Crossed Key and Quill. The Key
has always been associated with an office concerned with money,
safekeeping and secrecy. The Quill is the symbol of a scribe - a recordkeeper - one who writes letters, documents, etc. This jewel is worn
on a white over yellow ribbon.
His robe is black, trimmed with black, and
a white cincture with silver fringe.
The Treasurer
keeps all funds, maintains the accounts of the Council, and issues Council
checks upon receipt of a proper voucher from the Financial Secretary. Crossed
Keys worn on a blue ribbon are symbolic of his complete authority over funds,
particularly responsibility for their safekeeping. His robe is black, trimmed
with black, and a white cincture with silver fringe.
The Warden assures that all members at meetings possess the
current membership card. He is custodian of all Council property
except funds and is in charge of properly setting up the
Council Chamber. He directs the activities of the Inside and Outside
Guards. His emblem, an Axe Bound with Rods, known as a Faces,
was traditionally carried by the guards or protectors of Roman
magistrates as a symbol of authority. The Warden ideally has and
exercises that authority. The ribbon is colored red over black.
His robe is black trimmed with scarlet with a scarlet cincture with
silver fringe.
The Recorder keeps the minutes of the meetings, conducts correspondence
as directed by the Grand Knight, and keeps official historic documents
of the Council. In the absence of the Grand Knight and Deputy Grand
Knight, he presides at Council meetings. Crossed Quills hung from a white
over yellow ribbon are symbolic of his responsibilities for letter and document
(records) writing and preservation.
His robe is black, trimmed with black, with a white
cincture with silver fringe.
The Lecturer provides entertainment for the members after meetings,
particularly the second meeting of the month, which is our social
meeting, and handles certain other major social
events of the Council such as Family Dinners. His emblem consists of
Lyre and Scroll. These are traditionally symbols of music and
literature and the arts. Hence, the Lecturer is in charge of entertainment.
His ribbon is white over blue. The Lecturer wears a black robe with
national blue trimming and blue cincture with silver fringe.
The Advocate is the Chief Legal Officer of the Council, resolving
procedural matters, acting as parliamentarian, and otherwise handling
all legal activities. His emblem is the Scroll with
Crossed Sword hung from a yellow ribbon.
The Scroll is emblematic of legal literature and
law, while the Sword indicates the power to defend and enforce the law.
The Advocate's robe is black with golden yellow trim and yellow cincture
with silver fringe.
The Trustees (three in number) oversee the financial transactions
of the Council, review all bills and financial reports and audit
the Council's financial records semi-annually. Their
emblems, Crossed Key and Sword, indicate this financial authority and
are worn on green ribbons. Trustees wear black robes trimmed in green.
The Inside Guard (1) and Outside Guards (2) are charged with the
security of the Council Chamber and assist the Warden in meeting
the duties of his Office. Their emblems, Crossed
Key and Axe hung from a white ribbon, represent their power as
sentries at the door. Their robes are gray with black trim and yoke. The
cincture is also black with silver fringe.
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