Patriotism and Fraternalism in the Knights of Columbus: A History of the Fourth Degree

The book delves into the Knights of Columbus's "Fourth Degree" and its response to early 20th-century anti-Catholicism. Christopher Kauffman explores the societal attacks on Catholic loyalty and the emergence of Catholic patriotism as a counter-narrative. The Fourth Degree was established to promote a Catholic historical memory in the face of organizations that marginalized Catholics and immigrants, portraying them as threats to American values. It highlights the conflict between symbols of American republicanism and the perception of Catholic institutions as undermining democracy.