About Rev. Nicholas J. Habets

BIRTH: 2-Sep-1892, Heerlen, Heerlen Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands
DEATH: 31-Oct-1964 (aged 72)
BURIAL: Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Norfolk City, Virginia, USA

Father Habets was an assistant pastor at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Roanoke after he came to America in 1920. He was also the pastor of St Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church in Fairfax Station, Virginia, from 1924 until 1929. He then founded Our Lady of Victory Church and School in Portsmouth, Virginia, in 1930, where he spent 20 years before being transferred to become the pastor of Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, from 1950 to 1962.

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History of the Patriotic Degree of the Order

Not many years after the Knights of Columbus was organized in 1882, many of the members began to urge the foundation of a higher degree. The Supreme Board of Directors approved the formation of the Fourth Degree in 1899. The first exemplification of the Fourth Degree was held at the Aster Hotel in New York on February 22, 1900 with a class of 1400 candidates.

The degree expanded swiftly, and a separate board of governors was set up for the new degree in 1910. The chief executive officer of the Fourth Degree is the Supreme Master. The Fourth Degree is divided into geographical units known as provinces, of which there are twenty. Our Assembly is in the" Calvert Province" which also includes District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

The Knights of Columbus is a Fraternal organization. With Fraternity as one of the cardinal virtues, the support and assistance of members in times of illness is of major importance. Should illness strike your Sir Knight, Ladies or other family members are requested to notify one of the Forth Degree members or your acquaintance of the fact immediately. Other members will be advised and will be asked to remember the Brother in their prayers, to visit him, and to offer any
needed assistance. This, of course, always has a cheering effect on the ailing member.

It is important that notification be made to a member of the Assembly, as soon as possible, by some member of their family. That is the only way that other Sir Knights can be made aware of their Brother's illness.​

​​The Fourth Degree Emblem

 The triad emblem of the Forth Degree features the Dove, the Cross and the Globe. 

The Dove, the classic symbol of the Holy Spirit and Peace, is shown hovering over the orb of the earth (globe). Both are mounted on a variation of the Crusader's Cross, that which was found on the tunics and capes of the Crusading Knights who battled to regain the Holy Land from the pagans.

Spiritually, the sacred symbols on the emblem typify the Union of the Three Divine Persons in One Godhead, the most Blessed Trinity.

The Globe - God the Father, Creator of the Universe.
The Cross - God the Son, Redeemer of Mankind.
The Dove - God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of Humanity.

The colors of the symbol are:

​A blue Globe with the lands of the Western Hemisphere in white; A Red Cross with gold borders and gold knobs at the end of the points forming the ends of the arms of the Cross (also known as the Isabell Cross); A white Dove. Red, white and blue are the colors of the plat of the country in which our Order originated; and are used to stress the basic principle of the Forth Degree . . .

PATRIOTISM.
Bearers of this emblem are committed to conduct themselves as Christian gentlemen in their private and public lives, as well as acting patriotically for the good of their nations. Likewise, the Fourth Degree sword represents the bearer's reverence for the Eucharist and the Pope, Bishops and hierarchy of the Church, and displays publicly his willingness to protect his Church and Priest.

​Social Activities

The Fourth Degree Assembly schedules a number of social events during the year that involve the ladies. At least one dinner meeting is dedicated to the ladies of the assembly members. There is a banquet to honor "New" Sir Knights, a Military Chaplains Appreciation Night and a Christmas party. Other social events include participation at Special Olympics, Council & Assembly Officer Installations, and other Knight functions. There are no hard and fast rules concerning dress rules for ladies, rather, the inherent good taste of the ladies is the best guide for them in choosing the proper attire for a given occasion. The wise Sir Knight judiciously avoids any attempt to dictate to the ladies, especially in an area in which the ladies are better equipped to decide

​Honor Guard

One of the most important functions of the Fourth Degree is providing Guards of Honor at Mass, Confirmations, weddings, wakes, funerals, dedications and many other civic and patriotic functions.

In full regalia, with colorful capes and plumed chapeaux, the Knights of Columbus are always recognized in any public appearance. These Sir Knights add dignity and a pride of Church and Country to any event. By these public demonstrations, their loyalties bring credit to themselves and to the Knights of Columbus.

Participation in parades is an ideal way to bring the Knights of Columbus to the people. Everybody loves a parade and our Assembly has marched in parades in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Pungo and Moyock, North Carolina.
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Considered under a religious aspect, we have the honor and privilege of wearing on our swords and our lapels the sacred symbol of the Most Blessed Trinity. This should always remind us to live a good Christian life, and that we should never bring dishonor to the emblem we have been privileged to wear. By this, others may see our Holy Religion, our Honored Order and our Beloved Country.