Tartans associated with the Catholic Church

[2176agp]

Yet another tartan question -- I'm just full of 'em -- although some say it

I looked at the tartan registry and found it to be a great tool. But I was wondering if anyone knew of any tartan specifically associated with the Roman Catholic church, or any organisations such as the Knights of Columbus -- or which I am a member.

I haven't seen anything in any stuff from the Knights. I would imagine that it is possible that the Irish and UK counterparts, the Knights of Saint Columbanus or Knights of St Columba, have a tartan, but I probably wouldn't be entitled to wear it.

Just curious

Tony

[Paul]

St. Columba tartan is #2383

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Well Tony, there's your task. Convince the KofC that they need a tartan of their own!

[NCMC]

Interesting idea.

[Chas]

Yet another tartan question -- I'm just full of 'em -- although some say it
I looked at the tartan registry and found it to be a great tool. But I was wondering if anyone knew of any tartan specifically associated with the Roman Catholic church, or any organisations such as the Knights of Columbus -- or which I am a member.
I haven't seen anything in any stuff from the Knights. I would imagine that it is possible that the Irish and UK counterparts, the Knights of Saint Columbanus or Knights of St Columba, have a tartan, but I probably wouldn't be entitled to wear it.
Just curious
Tony

They might have, but they haven't registered it.

The information held within The Scottish Register of Tartans for the "St. Columba (one green)" tartan is shown below.

STA ref: 2383
STWR ref: 2383
Designer: MacDonald, Peter
Tartan date: 01/10/1996
Registration date: This tartan was recorded prior to the launch of The Scottish Register of Tartans.
Category: District

Restrictions: None

Registration notes: Commercial version with only one shade of green. Designed by Peter MacDonald for St.Columba's Church, Groline on Mull to commemorate the 1400th aniversary of St. Columba's death. Tartan Society entry states 'Based on all the natural colours of Iona, this tartan was designed to raise money to restore a church roof.





The information held within The Scottish Register of Tartans for the "St. Columba (two greens)" tartan is shown below.

STA ref: 3219
STWR ref: none
Designer: MacDonald, Peter
Tartan date: Not Specified
Registration date: This tartan was recorded prior to the launch of The Scottish Register of Tartans.
Category: Corporate

Restrictions: None

Registration notes: Designed by Peter MacDonald for St.Columba's Church on Mull to commemorate the 1400th anniversary of St. Columba's death. This is the original version which had seven colours including two shades of green. #2383 (original Scottish Tartans Authority reference) is a simplified version for production. Scottish Tartans Society described this tartan as 'Based on all the natural colours of Iona, this tartan was designed to raise money to restore a church roof.' See www.celticoriginals.com.



So if the Knights of Columbus want a tartan, you will be the one to design it. Do they have a uniform or dress code? It might be an idea to start there and get permission first.

Regards

Chas

[NCMC]

Perhaps the tartan could become an optional part of the 4th degree color corps.

[2176agp]

Perhaps the tartan could become an optional part of the 4th degree color corps.

I just received this as an answer from Supreme:

-----------
The Knights of Columbus does not have a tartan registered, nor have we ever
had one, to my knowledge. It is doubtful that we ever explored the
possibilities. Our formal attire, for the Fourth Degree has always been
some sort of tuxedo, a Prince Albert jacket in the early 1900's, tux and
tails in the 40 - 60's and plain black tuxedo today. To this point, the
Supreme Knight and Supreme Master(s) have made it clear that uniformity was necessary for a professional image. To that end we have our hands full,
working with what we have, without adding a new "tartan" dimension as part
of the official attire.
-----------

I'm a bit disappointed in this answer, to say the least. So -- is it time to be a rebel and wear the St Columba tartan I have contacted them (the Knights of St Columba) about reciprocity. I may also contact the Irish organisation, the Knights of St Columbanus, although I have not seen a tartan for them.

This will not stop me from being in my kilt and white shirt, tie and jacket for our council's Christmas party!

Tony

[macwilkin]

I just received this as an answer from Supreme:

-----------
The Knights of Columbus does not have a tartan registered, nor have we ever
had one, to my knowledge. It is doubtful that we ever explored the
possibilities. Our formal attire, for the Fourth Degree has always been
some sort of tuxedo, a Prince Albert jacket in the early 1900's, tux and
tails in the 40 - 60's and plain black tuxedo today. To this point, the
Supreme Knight and Supreme Master(s) have made it clear that uniformity was necessary for a professional image. To that end we have our hands full,
working with what we have, without adding a new "tartan" dimension as part
of the official attire.
-----------

I'm a bit disappointed in this answer, to say the least. So -- is it time to be a rebel and wear the St Columba tartan I have contacted them (the Knights of St Columba) about reciprocity. I may also contact the Irish organisation, the Knights of St Columbanus, although I have not seen a tartan for them.

This will not stop me from being in my kilt and white shirt, tie and jacket for our council's Christmas party!

Tony

Let me just preface my response by saying that I am not a member of the K of C, but it has always been my understanding that the 4th Degree was a "uniform degree", similar to other fraternal organizations' marching units that wear uniforms. If you are a member of the 4th Degree, then I would agree with the message that you received from K of C HQ. There is a reason why the 4th Degree wears a uniform, as described above.

If you are just a member of the K of C, then wearing formal attire to a party or other function certainly would be be more appropriate, but I would obviously match my attire to the function.

Even though I am not a K of C, I have always respected the good work they do. I once had a member of the local university chapter ask me to join, but being a good Episcopalian, I had to decline.

Regards,

Todd

[saharris]

I'm a member of the Knights of Columbus (a PGK and PFN). I proudly wear my kilt to most of my Council and Assembly functions and parties - to the delight of all. However, if you are in the Color Guard you have to decide if you are going in full regalia (which would entail wearing pants) or if you are just going for support (in which case, I say "kilt up!"). In the respect of it being a "uniform degree", I think that Todd's opinion is correct.

One additional thought for you - instead of trying to get the Knights of Columbus to get behind an "official tartan" (which seems unlikely), you could work with our Brother Orders within the International Alliance of Catholic Knights (IACK) to get an official tartan for the whole group! The Knights of Saint Columba and the Knights of Saint Columbanus are both cofounders of the IACK with our Knights of Columbus.

[McMathTX]

Tony,

As a KofC 4th Degree, I have trod this path before as well and got a very similar response from HQ. I've never contacted my Irish or Scottish brothers, and I didn't know about IACK (great idea BTW!) Because of the heat in Texas, we have a summer uniform that HQ beats us down for everytime they hear we've worn it, but what can I say, we're Texans and sometimes we're a stubborn lot. Anyway, the summer uniform includes a white Navy mess jacket instead of tuxedo coat and cape. I've worn that mess jacket with my kilt to functions in the past (not in an official capacity) and got good reviews from fellow Knights. I put it up here a long time ago for critiques and got really good advice for changes/tweaks. I've made those changes, but have don't have a photo. Here is what I posted a long time ago on this site.



I really like idea of contacting IACK and getting 1 tartan representative of all the various Catholic Knights associations.

Dean