"On February 22, 1900, the first Fourth Degree exemplification or degree ceremony was held in New York City. The Fourth Degree imparts a lesson on the virtue of patriotism. The primary purpose of this degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism in members and the community at large and encourage active Catholic citizenship. Today there are some 350,000 Fourth Degree Knights out of the total 1.9 million member Knights of Columbus.

Local units, called assemblies, draw their members from Knights of Columbus councils. The qualifications for membership in the Fourth Degree are: membership in the Knights and being a Third Degree Knight.

A Fourth Degree Knight may become part of the assembly's color corps. These members are recognized widely by the revised uniform consisting of blue blazer, gray slacks, beret with emblem, and sword. These members regularly take part in civic events such as parades and wreath-laying ceremonies, as honor guards at funerals and at ecclesial functions at Catholic churches.

Bishop Massillon Fourth Degree General Assembly was named for Bishop Jean Baptiste Massillon, who served as chaplain in the Court of King Louis XIV of France. The Bishop Massillon Assembly was formed on January 1, 1929, and encompasses members from the Massillon, Navarre, Canal Fulton and Canton areas. Prior to this the members belonged to the Canton Assembly. The Fourth Degree is the "Patriotic Arm" of the Knights of Columbus whose main function is to promote and participate in patriotic endeavors on the national, state and community levels.

Bishop Massillon Assembly meets on the first Tuesday each month at the Massillon Knights of Columbus hall.

Numerous social affairs, as listed in Calendar of Events below Periodic Corporate Communions at our local churches. Members assist Council 554 members w/ weekly "Hot Lunch" program Participate in bi-annual Northern District Ohio's 4th Degree Exemplification weekend activities April/October in the Massillon Memorial Day Parade