Part 3 of an excerpt from The Masonic World Guide (Lewis Masonic, London. 1984) -by Kent Henderson. Pages 6-14.
"Courtesy Degrees
Most regular Grand Lodges of the world, upon a written request from a recognized sister Grand Lodge, will confer 'courtesy degrees' upon a Mason from that sister jurisdiction. Courtesy degrees are the term used to describe the conferment of degrees upon a Mason from another Jurisdiction in a lodge under a host jurisdiction.
In many cases, only the second and third degrees can be conferred, but some jurisdictions, notably in the United States, will confer any or all of the three Craft degrees by courtesy.
A Mason traveling to another country or area, and who has not taken all the three Craft degrees, may wish to have a degree, or degrees, conferred upon him in another jurisdiction. This course of action may well suit a Mason who has been transferred to another locality in the course of his employment. For courtesy work to be carried out, a Mason will need to be in the host jurisdiction for at least several months. A quick tourist visit rarely affords enough time for courtesy work to be effected.
A Mason wishing to receive a degree by courtesy must follow a standard procedure. The steps to be undertaken are as follows:
1. On a brother's behalf, his Lodge secretary will write to his Grand Lodge office informing his Grand Secretary of the brother's desire in the matter. The letter will set out all the relevant details including the country to be visited by the brother, his residence therein, his current Masonic rank, and the dates of his residency.
2. Assuming that:
(i) a regular Grand Lodge exists in the country to be visited by the brother, and(ii) this jurisdiction will normally conduct courtesy work, and(iii) his Grand Secretary is satisfied that the brother's circumstances and reasons warrant the conferment of a courtesy degree, and(iv) the ritual forms used by the proposed host jurisdiction are somewhat comparable with local practice: then the brother's Grand Secretary will communicate with the Grand Secretary in the jurisdiction concerned, requesting that he act on behalf of the brother.
3. Invariably, such a request will be met, and the host jurisdiction will prevail upon one of its constituent lodges close to the place of temporary residence of the brother, to confer upon him the appropriate degree, or degrees.
4 .The brother's Grand Secretary will then be informed of the arrangements made by the hosting jurisdiction, and he will see that this information is passed back to the brother. Generally, the brother will be contacted by the hosting jurisdiction, or hosting lodge, and informed of the final arrangements. This will occur after he has taken up residency within its area.
Courtesy degrees, when conferred, have the full force of the conferment of degrees in the normal way. Upon receiving the Master Mason degree, a brother's home Grand Lodge will issue him his Master Mason's Certificate.
The Limitations of Courtesy Conferment
Several limitations apply to the conferment of courtesy degrees. The American Grand Lodges also publish a list of lodges, variously called a Roster, Directory, and a variety of other names. However, some of the smaller US Grand Bodies simply produce their lodge meeting details towards the rear of their annual Grand Lodge Proceedings.
A number of jurisdictions regularly publish a magazine/periodical for general distribution to their memberships. Most are produced bi-monthly or quarterly. They contain a wealth of information concerning the jurisdictions that publish them, and they will be of interest to the traveling Mason. Most are available on twelve month subscriptions.
Travelers desiring to purchase such a subscription can make inquiries at their own Grand Lodge office, and arrangements will be made with the jurisdiction concerned on the brother's behalf. In addition, most Grand Lodge libraries around the world subscribe to a range of foreign Masonic periodicals, and these are readily available for consultation by the intending visitor."
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Procedures of Visiting by Bro Kent Henderson
Part 2 of an excerpt from The Masonic World Guide (Lewis Masonic, London. 1984) -by Kent Henderson. Pages 6-14.
"There are ten steps, or procedures, involved in successful Masonic visiting-most of which are sequential. They move from obtaining the appropriate documentation, to the actual sitting of a visitor in a strange Lodge.
These steps must be followed before a visitor can be admitted into a Lodge wherein he is not known, and their whole purpose is to establish the bona fides of a true and lawful Brother.
Step One: Advise your own Lodge Secretary
The first step is to inform your own Lodge secretary of your desire to visit outside your own jurisdiction, and to provide him with details of your travels. He will liaise with your Grand Lodge office to procure all the necessary documents, and obtain advice.
Step Two: The Procuration of Masonic Documentation
To establish himself as a true and lawful brother to the satisfaction of his hosts, the visiting Mason must first produce the appropriate documents which will attest to his regularity as a Freemason.
The following documents should be carried by a Mason seeking admittance into any regular Lodge wherein he is not personally known:.
A Grand Lodge Certificate or Diploma: Every Grand Lodge issues this, or similarly named, documentation. It is a credential provided to the Master Mason to prove in writing that he is a regular Mason. It invariably contains the dates appropriate to his admission into the Craft, the signature of his Grand Secretary, the Grand Lodge Seal, and his signature.
A Receipt of Dues: It is not enough for a visiting Mason to produce his Grand Lodge Certificate when seeking admission to a strange Lodge. While his Certificate provides proof that the person named on it is a Freemason, it does not prove that he is a current financial member of a regular Lodge. To be a Mason in good standing is the usual Masonic terminology describing a financial member.
Some jurisdictions provide their financial members with a receipt of dues as a right, while others provide it only on request.
The Dues Card: The Dues Card is a form of receipt of dues provided by Lodges under a number of jurisdictions, notably in North America. This is considered in these jurisdictions as the most important Masonic 'Passport'.
Indeed, in the United States, lodges have little interest in sighting a Grand Lodge Certificate, but no visitor will enter their Temples without first producing a Dues Card or satisfactory equivalent. In lieu of a Dues Card or other direct form of receipt of dues, a recent Lodge summons (notice of meeting), or letter of introduction may suffice.
In addition to the largely compulsory documents just detailed, it is recommended that a visitor also carry, and if necessary present, the following additional documents:
A Letter of Introduction: Many Grand Lodges provide a letter of introduction to intending visitors through their Grand Lodge office. Such letters carry the Grand Secretary's recommendation, and all the Masonic details of its bearer. It can usually be used as a substitute for a 'receipt of dues' if personally carried.
Some Grand Secretaries will forward a visitor's 'letter of introduction direct to Grand Lodge under which he proposes to visit, thus giving its Grand Secretary pre-warning of the visitor's imminent presence.
A Passport: All foreign travelers carry a passport, and while it is rarely called upon for Masonic purposes, it has the effect of attesting to its bearer's actual identity.
There are other Masonic documents issued by some Grand Lodges. Many provide a Past Master's Certificate to appropriately qualified Masons. Past Masters are advised to carry this document, or similar documentation, especially if they wish to witness an Installation Ceremony in full, in those jurisdictions wherein only Installed Masters may witness certain parts of it.
Visitors who are not yet Master Masons (ie: they are Entered Apprentices, or Fellow Crafts) will not yet have received, nor be entitled to receive, their Grand Lodge Certificate. However, they can usually obtain appropriate documentation from their Grand Secretary's office prior to departure from their own jurisdiction.
It is as well to mention that Masons in this category may not be able to visit in some jurisdictions. English-speaking and Continental Freemasonry, in particular, usually restrict visiting between themselves to holders of the Master Mason Degree.
Jurisdictions working a Webb-form ritual have a similar restriction. Even in those jurisdictions where such a Mason may be permitted to visit,limitations often apply. Such a Mason is strongly advised to consult with his own Grand Lodge office prior to departure. It may even be possible for him to receive the degrees that he is yet to obtain by courtesy in another jurisdiction. The matter of courtesy degrees is dealt with later in this section.
Step Three: Check for Regularity
It is essential that each Mason check that regular Freemasonry exists in the area he proposes to visit. (A chapter explaining regularity and its importance follows shortly. At the rear of this guide is to be found a list of Grand Lodge recognition.) Given the parameters explained at that point, these lists may be used to determine whether or not the jurisdiction that is proposed to be visited is recognized by your own Grand Lodge. A Mason's own Grand Lodge office will assist further in this regard.
Step Four: Visit its Grand Lodge Office First
The recommended form of making contact, and of advising a particular Grand Lodge of your presence in its jurisdiction, is in person. Most Grand Lodges are based in the capital city, or principal city, of a country or area. As such a city usually doubles as the main point of entry into the area, a visit to the local Grand Lodge office is generally quite practicable. On visiting a Grand Lodge office a visiting Mason can always be assured of full assistance. Indeed, should a visiting Mason be in need of advice or assistance of any nature, not necessarily Masonic, he can always find it amongst his brethren in the Craft, no matter in which country he may find himself.
Step Five: Direct Lodge Visiting
As a second preference, to be used if for some reason a visit to the appropriate Grand Lodge office proves impossible, a visitor can use the information contained in this guide to directly attend a Lodge meeting. However, due to the restrictions of space it has not been possible to list the details of Lodges in every jurisdiction.
(Your Lodge Secreatry should have a copy of all Grand Lodges and Lodges you have amity with. Moderator).
In addition, it is appreciated that several Grand Lodges have warranted Lodges without their geographical jurisdiction, so that a visit to the appropriate Grand Lodge office is not possible. This particularly applies to Lodges in Africa and Asia under the British Grand Lodges.
Step Six: A Letter to a Grand Lodge
As a last alternative to make contact, a mason proposing to travel masonically can write a letter to the Grand Jurisdiction he is to visit, seeking advice. However, this method should only be used as a last resort if the appropriate Grand Lodge office cannot be personally visited, or if no details concerning constituent lodges are available.
If this approach is to be undertaken, such a letter must be sent via your own Grand Lodge office. Such a letter should be addressed to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge concerned; and should contain your name and address and full Masonic details, together with your places of residence in its jurisdiction and the dates applicable to your itinerary.
Any such letter must be directed via your own Grand Lodge office for several reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, correspondence directed through a Mason's own Grand Lodge office assures the Grand Lodge being asked for advice that the enquiring brother is indeed a regular Mason deserving of receiving the desired assistance.
Secondly, by directing a letter through your own Grand Lodge office, your Grand Secretary can enclose an accompanying letter of support, which in turn will ensure a useful and speedy reply. It needs to be added that if a mason sends a letter direct to any foreign jurisdiction, he is unlikely to receive a response.
Thirdly, it must be appreciated that Grand Lodges get enough mail as it is, and letters from hundreds of inquiring visitors will not alleviate this situation. Clearly then, this whole matter is one of Masonic protocol, and protocol must be followed. Any letter that is to be sent must be arranged well before your planned departure, to ensure a reply is received in time for your visit.
Step Seven. Know your own Ritual.
As will soon be appreciated, it is necessary for visitors to undergo a Masonic examination prior to entering a strange lodge. It is, therefore most desirable for Masonic travelers to be full conversant with their home ritual, and in particular, with the examination procedures used by Lodges under their home Grand Lodge.
This knowledge will be of great assistance to the visitor. While rituals and examination procedures do vary around the world, the modes of recognition and basic ritual content are not dissimilar. Therefore, a Mason with adequate knowledge of the practices in his own jurisdiction will experience no trouble elsewhere.
Step Eight: Arrive Early
Having completed all the above procedures as appropriate, you are now in a position to visit. It is essential that you arrive at your chosen lodge meeting at least half an hour prior to its commencement. This will enable you to complete the remaining procedures as detailed below. A tardy, or late, arrival might well prevent you from visiting.
Step Nine: "Strict Trial and Due Examination" .
Having arrived at the lodge you wish to visit, your first task is to advise its Tyler of your presence- and present to him your Masonic credentials as already detailed However, in all regular Masonic jurisdictions, it is necessary that in addition to presenting these documents, an unknown mason seeking to visit a lodge undergo a personal examination.
A traveling Mason must be prepared for this eventuality. In Masonic terminology, this process is called "Strict Trial and Due Examination" . Both amount to the same thing. Either means the ascertainment that a stranger is Freemason, or he is not.
The nature of Freemasonry does not allow documentary evidence alone to be the final testament as to whether a man is a Freemason. It is possible, although unlikely, that a person seeking admission may be carrying false or stolen documents. There have been occurrences in the past of unqualified persons, or impostors, seeking admission to Lodge meetings.
An impostor may be a person who has never been a Mason, one who is under suspension or expulsion from a Lodge or one whose Grand Lodge is not recognized as regular. A Mason who cannot prove that he is in good standing may also be prevented from visiting.
The procedures of Masonic examination and recognition vary throughout the world, and these differences are based on ritual divergence. However, these procedures are all designed to achieve the same ends, and provided a mason is well acquainted with the practice of the Craft in his own jurisdiction, he will experience little difficulty elsewhere. As we shall discover in a later chapter; while the forms of Masonic rituals around the world vary somewhat, the content is reasonably similar.
In most jurisdictions, Masonic examination is carried out by an examining committee; appointed by the Master of the lodge either formally or on an ad hoc basis as the need arises. This committee can consist of the Master himself and his two Wardens, two or three Past Masters, or a small number of senior Lodge members.
In some areas, the examination is carried out by the Lodge Tyler.In most jurisdictions the examination, while thorough, is informally presented. It is usual for the examiners to select features of Masonic knowledge at random, even to the point of requiring information out of sequence from each of the three degrees. This practice tends to uncover the 'Parrot Mason', or fraud with a good memory. Some committees even ask quite broad questions such as; 'tell us all you know about how you were raised to the degree of a Master Mason', although this is rare.
In some jurisdictions, notably Ireland and those of the United States, visitors are required to repeat the Tyler's Oath. (The wording of this Oath is contained under the heading of the United States.) As a final comment, it can be readily said that provided the man under examination is indeed a true and lawful brother, he will be discovered and acknowledged as such. The reverse, of course, is also true.
Step Ten. Avouchment and Vouching
In Masonic terminology, 'Avouchment' is the lawful information which a Mason provides to the Lodge he seeks to visit, and the actual procedures which allow him to sit therein. Vouching technically means a Mason being able to state that he has 'sat in open Lodge' with another. Therefore, if a Mason visits a Lodge wherein he knows one or more of its members and has sat in open Lodge with them, they will vouch for him, and he will not need to pass Strict Trial and Due Examination.
Whereupon he is unknown, after he has presented his credentials and has been examined the Examining Committee or one of its members will vouch for him.
The avouchment procedures inside lodges vary widely between jurisdictions, but are all designed to evince to the Lodge membership that the visitor is masonically entitled to be present.
In some jurisdictions, the visitor will enter after the Lodge is opened. In others, he will be present from the beginning, and all visitors will be asked to rise to be vouched for by a member present prior to the Lodge opening. Unknown Masons will have already passed an examination.
In Ireland and the United States jurisdictions, this is accompanied by what is known as 'purging the lodge'. This practice will be detailed in its proper place later in this book. All these procedures pose no problems for the true and lawful brother,and they will certainly be of interest to the Mason who has not experienced them before.
In other jurisdictions, notably of direct English descent, visitors will be vouched for inside the Lodge while the visitor himself remains outside, to be admitted after he has been cleared. Many Lodges using this form of vouching often accompany it with a card system, whereupon the visitor (having been properly examined) records his name, Lodge and Masonic rank on a card, which is then passed inside the Lodge and read out. Upon the name of each visitor being read, the member vouching for the named visitor will stand and signify his assent to the Master."
"There are ten steps, or procedures, involved in successful Masonic visiting-most of which are sequential. They move from obtaining the appropriate documentation, to the actual sitting of a visitor in a strange Lodge.
These steps must be followed before a visitor can be admitted into a Lodge wherein he is not known, and their whole purpose is to establish the bona fides of a true and lawful Brother.
Step One: Advise your own Lodge Secretary
The first step is to inform your own Lodge secretary of your desire to visit outside your own jurisdiction, and to provide him with details of your travels. He will liaise with your Grand Lodge office to procure all the necessary documents, and obtain advice.
Step Two: The Procuration of Masonic Documentation
To establish himself as a true and lawful brother to the satisfaction of his hosts, the visiting Mason must first produce the appropriate documents which will attest to his regularity as a Freemason.
The following documents should be carried by a Mason seeking admittance into any regular Lodge wherein he is not personally known:.
A Grand Lodge Certificate or Diploma: Every Grand Lodge issues this, or similarly named, documentation. It is a credential provided to the Master Mason to prove in writing that he is a regular Mason. It invariably contains the dates appropriate to his admission into the Craft, the signature of his Grand Secretary, the Grand Lodge Seal, and his signature.
A Receipt of Dues: It is not enough for a visiting Mason to produce his Grand Lodge Certificate when seeking admission to a strange Lodge. While his Certificate provides proof that the person named on it is a Freemason, it does not prove that he is a current financial member of a regular Lodge. To be a Mason in good standing is the usual Masonic terminology describing a financial member.
Some jurisdictions provide their financial members with a receipt of dues as a right, while others provide it only on request.
The Dues Card: The Dues Card is a form of receipt of dues provided by Lodges under a number of jurisdictions, notably in North America. This is considered in these jurisdictions as the most important Masonic 'Passport'.
Indeed, in the United States, lodges have little interest in sighting a Grand Lodge Certificate, but no visitor will enter their Temples without first producing a Dues Card or satisfactory equivalent. In lieu of a Dues Card or other direct form of receipt of dues, a recent Lodge summons (notice of meeting), or letter of introduction may suffice.
In addition to the largely compulsory documents just detailed, it is recommended that a visitor also carry, and if necessary present, the following additional documents:
A Letter of Introduction: Many Grand Lodges provide a letter of introduction to intending visitors through their Grand Lodge office. Such letters carry the Grand Secretary's recommendation, and all the Masonic details of its bearer. It can usually be used as a substitute for a 'receipt of dues' if personally carried.
Some Grand Secretaries will forward a visitor's 'letter of introduction direct to Grand Lodge under which he proposes to visit, thus giving its Grand Secretary pre-warning of the visitor's imminent presence.
A Passport: All foreign travelers carry a passport, and while it is rarely called upon for Masonic purposes, it has the effect of attesting to its bearer's actual identity.
There are other Masonic documents issued by some Grand Lodges. Many provide a Past Master's Certificate to appropriately qualified Masons. Past Masters are advised to carry this document, or similar documentation, especially if they wish to witness an Installation Ceremony in full, in those jurisdictions wherein only Installed Masters may witness certain parts of it.
Visitors who are not yet Master Masons (ie: they are Entered Apprentices, or Fellow Crafts) will not yet have received, nor be entitled to receive, their Grand Lodge Certificate. However, they can usually obtain appropriate documentation from their Grand Secretary's office prior to departure from their own jurisdiction.
It is as well to mention that Masons in this category may not be able to visit in some jurisdictions. English-speaking and Continental Freemasonry, in particular, usually restrict visiting between themselves to holders of the Master Mason Degree.
Jurisdictions working a Webb-form ritual have a similar restriction. Even in those jurisdictions where such a Mason may be permitted to visit,limitations often apply. Such a Mason is strongly advised to consult with his own Grand Lodge office prior to departure. It may even be possible for him to receive the degrees that he is yet to obtain by courtesy in another jurisdiction. The matter of courtesy degrees is dealt with later in this section.
Step Three: Check for Regularity
It is essential that each Mason check that regular Freemasonry exists in the area he proposes to visit. (A chapter explaining regularity and its importance follows shortly. At the rear of this guide is to be found a list of Grand Lodge recognition.) Given the parameters explained at that point, these lists may be used to determine whether or not the jurisdiction that is proposed to be visited is recognized by your own Grand Lodge. A Mason's own Grand Lodge office will assist further in this regard.
Step Four: Visit its Grand Lodge Office First
The recommended form of making contact, and of advising a particular Grand Lodge of your presence in its jurisdiction, is in person. Most Grand Lodges are based in the capital city, or principal city, of a country or area. As such a city usually doubles as the main point of entry into the area, a visit to the local Grand Lodge office is generally quite practicable. On visiting a Grand Lodge office a visiting Mason can always be assured of full assistance. Indeed, should a visiting Mason be in need of advice or assistance of any nature, not necessarily Masonic, he can always find it amongst his brethren in the Craft, no matter in which country he may find himself.
Step Five: Direct Lodge Visiting
As a second preference, to be used if for some reason a visit to the appropriate Grand Lodge office proves impossible, a visitor can use the information contained in this guide to directly attend a Lodge meeting. However, due to the restrictions of space it has not been possible to list the details of Lodges in every jurisdiction.
(Your Lodge Secreatry should have a copy of all Grand Lodges and Lodges you have amity with. Moderator).
In addition, it is appreciated that several Grand Lodges have warranted Lodges without their geographical jurisdiction, so that a visit to the appropriate Grand Lodge office is not possible. This particularly applies to Lodges in Africa and Asia under the British Grand Lodges.
Step Six: A Letter to a Grand Lodge
As a last alternative to make contact, a mason proposing to travel masonically can write a letter to the Grand Jurisdiction he is to visit, seeking advice. However, this method should only be used as a last resort if the appropriate Grand Lodge office cannot be personally visited, or if no details concerning constituent lodges are available.
If this approach is to be undertaken, such a letter must be sent via your own Grand Lodge office. Such a letter should be addressed to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge concerned; and should contain your name and address and full Masonic details, together with your places of residence in its jurisdiction and the dates applicable to your itinerary.
Any such letter must be directed via your own Grand Lodge office for several reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, correspondence directed through a Mason's own Grand Lodge office assures the Grand Lodge being asked for advice that the enquiring brother is indeed a regular Mason deserving of receiving the desired assistance.
Secondly, by directing a letter through your own Grand Lodge office, your Grand Secretary can enclose an accompanying letter of support, which in turn will ensure a useful and speedy reply. It needs to be added that if a mason sends a letter direct to any foreign jurisdiction, he is unlikely to receive a response.
Thirdly, it must be appreciated that Grand Lodges get enough mail as it is, and letters from hundreds of inquiring visitors will not alleviate this situation. Clearly then, this whole matter is one of Masonic protocol, and protocol must be followed. Any letter that is to be sent must be arranged well before your planned departure, to ensure a reply is received in time for your visit.
Step Seven. Know your own Ritual.
As will soon be appreciated, it is necessary for visitors to undergo a Masonic examination prior to entering a strange lodge. It is, therefore most desirable for Masonic travelers to be full conversant with their home ritual, and in particular, with the examination procedures used by Lodges under their home Grand Lodge.
This knowledge will be of great assistance to the visitor. While rituals and examination procedures do vary around the world, the modes of recognition and basic ritual content are not dissimilar. Therefore, a Mason with adequate knowledge of the practices in his own jurisdiction will experience no trouble elsewhere.
Step Eight: Arrive Early
Having completed all the above procedures as appropriate, you are now in a position to visit. It is essential that you arrive at your chosen lodge meeting at least half an hour prior to its commencement. This will enable you to complete the remaining procedures as detailed below. A tardy, or late, arrival might well prevent you from visiting.
Step Nine: "Strict Trial and Due Examination" .
Having arrived at the lodge you wish to visit, your first task is to advise its Tyler of your presence- and present to him your Masonic credentials as already detailed However, in all regular Masonic jurisdictions, it is necessary that in addition to presenting these documents, an unknown mason seeking to visit a lodge undergo a personal examination.
A traveling Mason must be prepared for this eventuality. In Masonic terminology, this process is called "Strict Trial and Due Examination" . Both amount to the same thing. Either means the ascertainment that a stranger is Freemason, or he is not.
The nature of Freemasonry does not allow documentary evidence alone to be the final testament as to whether a man is a Freemason. It is possible, although unlikely, that a person seeking admission may be carrying false or stolen documents. There have been occurrences in the past of unqualified persons, or impostors, seeking admission to Lodge meetings.
An impostor may be a person who has never been a Mason, one who is under suspension or expulsion from a Lodge or one whose Grand Lodge is not recognized as regular. A Mason who cannot prove that he is in good standing may also be prevented from visiting.
The procedures of Masonic examination and recognition vary throughout the world, and these differences are based on ritual divergence. However, these procedures are all designed to achieve the same ends, and provided a mason is well acquainted with the practice of the Craft in his own jurisdiction, he will experience little difficulty elsewhere. As we shall discover in a later chapter; while the forms of Masonic rituals around the world vary somewhat, the content is reasonably similar.
In most jurisdictions, Masonic examination is carried out by an examining committee; appointed by the Master of the lodge either formally or on an ad hoc basis as the need arises. This committee can consist of the Master himself and his two Wardens, two or three Past Masters, or a small number of senior Lodge members.
In some areas, the examination is carried out by the Lodge Tyler.In most jurisdictions the examination, while thorough, is informally presented. It is usual for the examiners to select features of Masonic knowledge at random, even to the point of requiring information out of sequence from each of the three degrees. This practice tends to uncover the 'Parrot Mason', or fraud with a good memory. Some committees even ask quite broad questions such as; 'tell us all you know about how you were raised to the degree of a Master Mason', although this is rare.
In some jurisdictions, notably Ireland and those of the United States, visitors are required to repeat the Tyler's Oath. (The wording of this Oath is contained under the heading of the United States.) As a final comment, it can be readily said that provided the man under examination is indeed a true and lawful brother, he will be discovered and acknowledged as such. The reverse, of course, is also true.
Step Ten. Avouchment and Vouching
In Masonic terminology, 'Avouchment' is the lawful information which a Mason provides to the Lodge he seeks to visit, and the actual procedures which allow him to sit therein. Vouching technically means a Mason being able to state that he has 'sat in open Lodge' with another. Therefore, if a Mason visits a Lodge wherein he knows one or more of its members and has sat in open Lodge with them, they will vouch for him, and he will not need to pass Strict Trial and Due Examination.
Whereupon he is unknown, after he has presented his credentials and has been examined the Examining Committee or one of its members will vouch for him.
The avouchment procedures inside lodges vary widely between jurisdictions, but are all designed to evince to the Lodge membership that the visitor is masonically entitled to be present.
In some jurisdictions, the visitor will enter after the Lodge is opened. In others, he will be present from the beginning, and all visitors will be asked to rise to be vouched for by a member present prior to the Lodge opening. Unknown Masons will have already passed an examination.
In Ireland and the United States jurisdictions, this is accompanied by what is known as 'purging the lodge'. This practice will be detailed in its proper place later in this book. All these procedures pose no problems for the true and lawful brother,and they will certainly be of interest to the Mason who has not experienced them before.
In other jurisdictions, notably of direct English descent, visitors will be vouched for inside the Lodge while the visitor himself remains outside, to be admitted after he has been cleared. Many Lodges using this form of vouching often accompany it with a card system, whereupon the visitor (having been properly examined) records his name, Lodge and Masonic rank on a card, which is then passed inside the Lodge and read out. Upon the name of each visitor being read, the member vouching for the named visitor will stand and signify his assent to the Master."
History & Limitations of Masonic Travel By Bro Kent Henderson
Excerpted from :The Masonic World Guide (Lewis Masonic, London. 1984) -
by Kent Henderson. Pages 6-14
"The habit of Freemasons to travel and to visit other Lodges, or even affiliate with them, is one of the oldest and most widely practiced customs of the Craft. In operative times, well before the emergence of the Speculative Craft as we now know it, masons were itinerant workers who were forced to travel to renew their employment as each building project was completed.
This fluid nature of the Operative Craft led to the formation of trade societies, known as lodges, to protect the professional integrity of their occupation, and to enhance the moral and social practices of their members. It is surmised, not without some evidence, that the modes of recognition were originated in the operative period as a means of identifying the genuinely skilled mason who came to visit a lodge in search of work.
It is therefore reasonable to deduce that the tendency of Masons to visit other Lodges is very old custom indeed. Many of the oldest extant Masonic manuscripts contain charges associated with visiting, and the reception of visitors.
Visiting as a Right
As has just been outlined, the right to visit and sit in every regular Lodge is one of the oldest Masonic customs. This custom hinged on the theory that all Lodges are only divisions of the 'Universal Brotherhood'. Indeed, in some areas of old, visitors could even vote at Lodge meetings.
However, the growth and spread of the Craft saw many variations in forms and procedures develop, and the evolution of the Grand Lodge system as we know it today. In turn, this necessitated that the concept of visiting as a right undergo changes.
The movement towards qualification of the right to visit appears to have begun in the early eighteenth century. There are records of Lodges in this period setting out limitations to visiting, in terms of the number of visits a non-member Mason could make to a Lodge in a twelve month period; and limiting the types of meeting a visitor could attend.
Certainly, by the end of the eighteenth century, visiting had ceased to be a right, but rather a privilege.
Visiting as a Privilege
The situation today is that visiting is a privilege-indeed, it is one of the greatest privileges of Masonic membership. It must be immediately stated that a Mason has no absolute, prescriptive right to visit a Lodge wherein he is not a member.
However, with that fact clearly stated, it must be observed that visiting as a privilege is most definitely encouraged and welcomed in every regular jurisdiction. A regular Freemason in good standing will always encounter Masonic hospitality and brotherhood in his travels.
The Limitations on Visiting Today
There are four basic limitations on visiting in the Masonic world today. The first two, as listed below with explanations, are common to every regular jurisdiction; while the last two are less prevalent. They are:
1. The Recognition of Regularity. This is a limitation on visiting whereby the only people a Lodge may receive are those who are members of another Lodge whose Grand Lodge is recognized by its own. This whole question is detailed at length in a later chapter.
2. The Master's Prerogative. It is, by custom and often by Grand Lodge statute, the prerogative of the Master of a Lodge to refuse to admit any visitor if he is not satisfied that he is a regular Mason of good standing; or he feels that such a proposed visitor will disturb the harmony of his Lodge.
The former power is only occasionally used as a matter of necessity; the latter very rarely. Nevertheless, the prerogative power of the Master of a Lodge is wide.
3. Business Meetings. Under some forms of Masonic practice, business meetings are held separately to meetings held for degree conferment, and where this is the case, visitors are often excluded from the former, but never the latter. Similarly, in some jurisdictions where ordinary Lodge business and degree conferment are held in the space of a since meeting, visitors are sometimes not admitted until after the Lodge has completed the business part of its activities.
4. Visiting by Invitation. In some jurisdictions, notably England, it is largely usual for visitors to receive an invitation from a Lodge member. In other areas, while such a restriction does not exist with respect to ordinary meetings, it does apply to Installation Meetings.
These practices are not adhered to without reasons, and they will be examined when we come to discuss those jurisdictions concerned later in this guide."
See next post for the continuation of this article.
by Kent Henderson. Pages 6-14
"The habit of Freemasons to travel and to visit other Lodges, or even affiliate with them, is one of the oldest and most widely practiced customs of the Craft. In operative times, well before the emergence of the Speculative Craft as we now know it, masons were itinerant workers who were forced to travel to renew their employment as each building project was completed.
This fluid nature of the Operative Craft led to the formation of trade societies, known as lodges, to protect the professional integrity of their occupation, and to enhance the moral and social practices of their members. It is surmised, not without some evidence, that the modes of recognition were originated in the operative period as a means of identifying the genuinely skilled mason who came to visit a lodge in search of work.
It is therefore reasonable to deduce that the tendency of Masons to visit other Lodges is very old custom indeed. Many of the oldest extant Masonic manuscripts contain charges associated with visiting, and the reception of visitors.
Visiting as a Right
As has just been outlined, the right to visit and sit in every regular Lodge is one of the oldest Masonic customs. This custom hinged on the theory that all Lodges are only divisions of the 'Universal Brotherhood'. Indeed, in some areas of old, visitors could even vote at Lodge meetings.
However, the growth and spread of the Craft saw many variations in forms and procedures develop, and the evolution of the Grand Lodge system as we know it today. In turn, this necessitated that the concept of visiting as a right undergo changes.
The movement towards qualification of the right to visit appears to have begun in the early eighteenth century. There are records of Lodges in this period setting out limitations to visiting, in terms of the number of visits a non-member Mason could make to a Lodge in a twelve month period; and limiting the types of meeting a visitor could attend.
Certainly, by the end of the eighteenth century, visiting had ceased to be a right, but rather a privilege.
Visiting as a Privilege
The situation today is that visiting is a privilege-indeed, it is one of the greatest privileges of Masonic membership. It must be immediately stated that a Mason has no absolute, prescriptive right to visit a Lodge wherein he is not a member.
However, with that fact clearly stated, it must be observed that visiting as a privilege is most definitely encouraged and welcomed in every regular jurisdiction. A regular Freemason in good standing will always encounter Masonic hospitality and brotherhood in his travels.
The Limitations on Visiting Today
There are four basic limitations on visiting in the Masonic world today. The first two, as listed below with explanations, are common to every regular jurisdiction; while the last two are less prevalent. They are:
1. The Recognition of Regularity. This is a limitation on visiting whereby the only people a Lodge may receive are those who are members of another Lodge whose Grand Lodge is recognized by its own. This whole question is detailed at length in a later chapter.
2. The Master's Prerogative. It is, by custom and often by Grand Lodge statute, the prerogative of the Master of a Lodge to refuse to admit any visitor if he is not satisfied that he is a regular Mason of good standing; or he feels that such a proposed visitor will disturb the harmony of his Lodge.
The former power is only occasionally used as a matter of necessity; the latter very rarely. Nevertheless, the prerogative power of the Master of a Lodge is wide.
3. Business Meetings. Under some forms of Masonic practice, business meetings are held separately to meetings held for degree conferment, and where this is the case, visitors are often excluded from the former, but never the latter. Similarly, in some jurisdictions where ordinary Lodge business and degree conferment are held in the space of a since meeting, visitors are sometimes not admitted until after the Lodge has completed the business part of its activities.
4. Visiting by Invitation. In some jurisdictions, notably England, it is largely usual for visitors to receive an invitation from a Lodge member. In other areas, while such a restriction does not exist with respect to ordinary meetings, it does apply to Installation Meetings.
These practices are not adhered to without reasons, and they will be examined when we come to discuss those jurisdictions concerned later in this guide."
See next post for the continuation of this article.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
A Brief History of Cavite Lodge
"Cavite Lodge No 2 was originally organized on October 18, 1902 with a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of California (GLC); with WM Bro Michael E. Mason as its first Worshipful Master.
On October 15, 1903 its charter was signed in San Francisco, California, USA and the lodge was numbered Cavite Lodge No 350 (GLC).
The lodge was formally constituted on November 24, 1903. It joined with Manila Lodge No 342 and Corregidor Lodge No 386; both also under the Grand Lodge of California, in organizing the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands (GLPI) on December 12, 1912.
Cavite Lodge was given a new charter as Cavite Lodge No 2. WM Bro Burton Whitcomb was the lodge Worshipful Master at that time.
MW Bro Eugene Stafford was the GLPI first Grand Master. By 1917 the GLPI, with GM MW Bro William H. Taylor and the Gran Logia Regional de Filipinas (GLRF) of GM MW Bro Teodoro Kalaw united and merged to form the Grand Lodge of the Philippines (GLP) with ten lodges from the GLPI and 27 lodges from the GLRF.
Cavite Lodge No 2 retained its original name and number, after it joined and was rechartered under the Independent Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands (IGLPI) on September 10, 2006 with WM Bro Danilo B. Florendo, the incumbent Worshipful Master.
(Also see related November 3, 2007 article: "Cavite Lodge No 2 105th Anniversary", by clicking here.)
The above article was from the Cavite Lodge No 2, IGLPI. It must be stated that there is another Cavite Lodge No 2 under the MW Grand Lodge of the Philippines (GLP).
On October 15, 1903 its charter was signed in San Francisco, California, USA and the lodge was numbered Cavite Lodge No 350 (GLC).
The lodge was formally constituted on November 24, 1903. It joined with Manila Lodge No 342 and Corregidor Lodge No 386; both also under the Grand Lodge of California, in organizing the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands (GLPI) on December 12, 1912.
Cavite Lodge was given a new charter as Cavite Lodge No 2. WM Bro Burton Whitcomb was the lodge Worshipful Master at that time.
MW Bro Eugene Stafford was the GLPI first Grand Master. By 1917 the GLPI, with GM MW Bro William H. Taylor and the Gran Logia Regional de Filipinas (GLRF) of GM MW Bro Teodoro Kalaw united and merged to form the Grand Lodge of the Philippines (GLP) with ten lodges from the GLPI and 27 lodges from the GLRF.
Cavite Lodge No 2 retained its original name and number, after it joined and was rechartered under the Independent Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands (IGLPI) on September 10, 2006 with WM Bro Danilo B. Florendo, the incumbent Worshipful Master.
(Also see related November 3, 2007 article: "Cavite Lodge No 2 105th Anniversary", by clicking here.)
The above article was from the Cavite Lodge No 2, IGLPI. It must be stated that there is another Cavite Lodge No 2 under the MW Grand Lodge of the Philippines (GLP).
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
My Walk with Don Emilio Aguinaldo by Bro Sergio T. Peña
As I was reading an old copy of my Cabletow magazine (March-April 1996, Vol 72 No 6), I came across this article written by a brother from my mother lodge.
Bro Sergio T. Peña was born on August 12, 1924 in Amadeo, Cavite. He worked in the US Naval Base in Subic Public Works Center. He was initiated as an Entered Apprentice on July 26, 1962 and was raised as a Master Mason on October 6, 1962 in Lincoln Lodge No 34.
The editor noted that Bro Sergio wrote the article from Poway, California.
Here is his story:
"It was on a hot summer day in the early 1930's when General Emilio Aguinaldo visited the local chapter of the Veteranos de la Revolucion, the association of veterans of the two wars for Philippine independence, in my old hometown of Amadeo, Cavite.
Because there was no access road for motor vehicles leading to the town proper at the time, the aging veterans had to meet the general and his entourage where the paved road ended many kilometers away. From there they travelled the rest of the way on foot.
On both sides of the narrow street into position we scampered and in awe and deep admiration watched the approaching dignitaries followed by the old, yet proud veterans.
Inexplicable pride swelled in my heart when I saw my father walking with his comrade-in-arms, looking so dignified and honorable with the wounded soldier's medal pinned on his left breast. The medal, he had told me, was awarded to him for the wounds he sustained during the Battle of Zapote Bridge.
Many weeks before, I had pictured and rehearsed in my mind what I would do when I would meet the celebrated general come the momentous day of his visit. And so, as my friends were shouting and jumping and clapping their hands, I rushed toward the middle of the street and stopped a few feet in front of the approaching dignitaries. I stood at attention and smartly saluted the great general the way I had secretly practiced a thousand times behind my grandmother's santol tree.
Unexpectedly, General Aguinaldo stopped, thus stalling the spirited walk of the old revolucionarios who were following closely behind. He smiled at me, leaned a little forward, and gently patted my left cheek. Before I fully realized what had happened, I found myself proudly walking beside the famous general, his left hand resting upon my dishevelled head, my unshod feet laboriously straining to keep up with his long strides.
Three scores and five years have passed since that chance encounter, but the poignant memory of that boyhood scene refuses to die in my heart. It refuses to die because, to me, that event marked the spontaneous revelation of Don Emilio's magnanimity. He opted to stall the heroes' enthusiastic walk just to return the awkward salute and pat the grimy cheek of a barefoot sharecropper's son who walked a dozen steps with him on a dusty street long ago.
What makes a man and a Mason great? I guess it is charity that comes straight from the heart."
I guess that is why Bro Sergio T. Peña also become a Freemason like our Bro General Emilio Aguinaldo!
(The Cabletow, pages 16-17, March-April 1996).
Bro Sergio T. Peña was born on August 12, 1924 in Amadeo, Cavite. He worked in the US Naval Base in Subic Public Works Center. He was initiated as an Entered Apprentice on July 26, 1962 and was raised as a Master Mason on October 6, 1962 in Lincoln Lodge No 34.
The editor noted that Bro Sergio wrote the article from Poway, California.
Here is his story:
"It was on a hot summer day in the early 1930's when General Emilio Aguinaldo visited the local chapter of the Veteranos de la Revolucion, the association of veterans of the two wars for Philippine independence, in my old hometown of Amadeo, Cavite.
Because there was no access road for motor vehicles leading to the town proper at the time, the aging veterans had to meet the general and his entourage where the paved road ended many kilometers away. From there they travelled the rest of the way on foot.
On both sides of the narrow street into position we scampered and in awe and deep admiration watched the approaching dignitaries followed by the old, yet proud veterans.
Inexplicable pride swelled in my heart when I saw my father walking with his comrade-in-arms, looking so dignified and honorable with the wounded soldier's medal pinned on his left breast. The medal, he had told me, was awarded to him for the wounds he sustained during the Battle of Zapote Bridge.
Many weeks before, I had pictured and rehearsed in my mind what I would do when I would meet the celebrated general come the momentous day of his visit. And so, as my friends were shouting and jumping and clapping their hands, I rushed toward the middle of the street and stopped a few feet in front of the approaching dignitaries. I stood at attention and smartly saluted the great general the way I had secretly practiced a thousand times behind my grandmother's santol tree.
Unexpectedly, General Aguinaldo stopped, thus stalling the spirited walk of the old revolucionarios who were following closely behind. He smiled at me, leaned a little forward, and gently patted my left cheek. Before I fully realized what had happened, I found myself proudly walking beside the famous general, his left hand resting upon my dishevelled head, my unshod feet laboriously straining to keep up with his long strides.
Three scores and five years have passed since that chance encounter, but the poignant memory of that boyhood scene refuses to die in my heart. It refuses to die because, to me, that event marked the spontaneous revelation of Don Emilio's magnanimity. He opted to stall the heroes' enthusiastic walk just to return the awkward salute and pat the grimy cheek of a barefoot sharecropper's son who walked a dozen steps with him on a dusty street long ago.
What makes a man and a Mason great? I guess it is charity that comes straight from the heart."
I guess that is why Bro Sergio T. Peña also become a Freemason like our Bro General Emilio Aguinaldo!
(The Cabletow, pages 16-17, March-April 1996).
Monday, August 4, 2008
Araw Lodge: A Brief History by VWBro Ben Apacible
The Lodge was chartered as Araw Lodge No. 304 on August 14, 1908 and was duly constituted on November 8, 1908 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Oriente Espanol.
The three pioneering brothers who envisioned the organization of this Lodge were Brothers Estanislao Vergara, Eugenio Ocampo and Narciso Vergara. They were ably assisted by brothers Justino Ocampo, Ramon Mendoza, Isidro Hernandez, Dalmacio Monroy, Crispulo Layoc, Juan S. Hernandez, Lucio Bernabe and Jose Silos. They conceived of founding a Lodge and gave her a name that is both symbolic and alluring – Araw (meaning Sun), the beauty and glory of the day.
After about nine years, her members unanimously agreed to affiliate with the newly organized Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands and became the 18th Blue Lodge of the new Grand Lodge on February 17, 1917. Officiating at the consecration was Most Worshipful Grand Master Taylor assisted by Most Worshipful Comfort, PGM, who was then the Grand Secretary.
King Solomon’s Temple in Bilbao, Tondo, Manila constructed in 1917, was for sometime the meeting place of Araw Lodge together with several other Lodges.
It was fortunate that the builders and leaderships of past decades had strengthen the structure of the Lodge, otherwise, she would not be able to survive the vicissitudes brought about by the Second World War, when Chinese brethren who had greatly increased in number suffered dearth in rituals and leadership. During the war, many Chinese members died and some went through privation.
When liberation came in 1945, only 27 members survived. Only about a dozen could pay their dues and only four could attend meetings. That situation greatly discouraged then Worshipful Master, WB Anastacio Uy Mochay and the Lodge secretary, WB Ong Tiong Chie. They were so discouraged that they thought of fusing Araw Lodge with Mencius Lodge, whose membership was predominantly Chinese.
But with the timely affiliation of Brother Jose N. Quedding of Isagani Lodge No. 96, Tarlac, Tarlac, he was able to dissuade the two Lodge leaders from carrying out their fusion plan and pledged all his efforts to aid in the rehabilitation of Araw Lodge.
Brother Quedding succeeded in winning the affiliation of Brothers Wenceslao Santiago and Justiniano Castillo, both of Isagani Lodge No. 96, and Brother Jose Carlos of Baguio Lodge. This started the slowly increasing Filipino membership of Araw Lodge.
In 1947, Worshipful Master, WB Mochay, and the Lodge Secretary, WB Chie, dropped their working tools leaving Araw Lodge prematurely orphaned and affected the slight gain in the rehabilitation process of the Lodge.
Fortunately, Brother Quedding and the new affiliates were there, tending and shielding the flickering light from completely dying out. However, the odds were very great because the two pillars of Araw Lodge left too soon before Brother Quedding and company could gain the trust and confidence of the old members. They inherited three problems: lack of proficient members, lack of funds and lack of intimate background with the old members.
Brother Quedding assumed leadership of Araw Lodge and with the assistance of Brothers Santiago, Castillo and Carlos, they revived the interest of the old members and won their confidence. Degree works performed on several petitioners were with the help of the brethren of other Lodges. Heretofore, the ritual used was in Spanish but upon the demise of the old leaders, the work shifted to English, paving way for more Filipino petitioners.
During the next five years after the incumbency of WB Quedding as Master, he was busy as Secretary and coach to the new officers of the lodge. Worshipful Brothers Jose Carlos, Teodoro de los Santos, Gregorio Domingo, Wenceslao Santiago, Justiniano Castillo and Felipe Pilapil, Jr occupied the East one after the other from 1949 – 1954. Theirs was the task of careful, slow, training and proving their way in search of more light.
Succeeding leaderships have sincerely and successfully steered Araw Lodge No. 18 to what it is now and today.
As a humble contribution to our fraternity, Past Worshipful Master (1986), WB Magdangal M. De Leon, composed the music of today’s Grand Lodge March while a brother of another Lodge wrote the lyrics. Likewise, the Lodge had contributed the time, effort, knowledge and leadership of eleven of her members in then Masonic District (MD)1-B and MD 5 now MD NCR–C serving as District Deputy Grand Masters (including this Masonic Year 2008). The Lodge had likewise led her Masonic District in the joint commemoration of the Lodge of Remembrance in the past years.
Araw Lodge No. 18, F. & A.M. can proudly look back in service and fellowship in the last century, serving as the beacon light shining through the years.
This year, Araw Lodge celebrates its centennial year.
The three pioneering brothers who envisioned the organization of this Lodge were Brothers Estanislao Vergara, Eugenio Ocampo and Narciso Vergara. They were ably assisted by brothers Justino Ocampo, Ramon Mendoza, Isidro Hernandez, Dalmacio Monroy, Crispulo Layoc, Juan S. Hernandez, Lucio Bernabe and Jose Silos. They conceived of founding a Lodge and gave her a name that is both symbolic and alluring – Araw (meaning Sun), the beauty and glory of the day.
After about nine years, her members unanimously agreed to affiliate with the newly organized Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands and became the 18th Blue Lodge of the new Grand Lodge on February 17, 1917. Officiating at the consecration was Most Worshipful Grand Master Taylor assisted by Most Worshipful Comfort, PGM, who was then the Grand Secretary.
King Solomon’s Temple in Bilbao, Tondo, Manila constructed in 1917, was for sometime the meeting place of Araw Lodge together with several other Lodges.
It was fortunate that the builders and leaderships of past decades had strengthen the structure of the Lodge, otherwise, she would not be able to survive the vicissitudes brought about by the Second World War, when Chinese brethren who had greatly increased in number suffered dearth in rituals and leadership. During the war, many Chinese members died and some went through privation.
When liberation came in 1945, only 27 members survived. Only about a dozen could pay their dues and only four could attend meetings. That situation greatly discouraged then Worshipful Master, WB Anastacio Uy Mochay and the Lodge secretary, WB Ong Tiong Chie. They were so discouraged that they thought of fusing Araw Lodge with Mencius Lodge, whose membership was predominantly Chinese.
But with the timely affiliation of Brother Jose N. Quedding of Isagani Lodge No. 96, Tarlac, Tarlac, he was able to dissuade the two Lodge leaders from carrying out their fusion plan and pledged all his efforts to aid in the rehabilitation of Araw Lodge.
Brother Quedding succeeded in winning the affiliation of Brothers Wenceslao Santiago and Justiniano Castillo, both of Isagani Lodge No. 96, and Brother Jose Carlos of Baguio Lodge. This started the slowly increasing Filipino membership of Araw Lodge.
In 1947, Worshipful Master, WB Mochay, and the Lodge Secretary, WB Chie, dropped their working tools leaving Araw Lodge prematurely orphaned and affected the slight gain in the rehabilitation process of the Lodge.
Fortunately, Brother Quedding and the new affiliates were there, tending and shielding the flickering light from completely dying out. However, the odds were very great because the two pillars of Araw Lodge left too soon before Brother Quedding and company could gain the trust and confidence of the old members. They inherited three problems: lack of proficient members, lack of funds and lack of intimate background with the old members.
Brother Quedding assumed leadership of Araw Lodge and with the assistance of Brothers Santiago, Castillo and Carlos, they revived the interest of the old members and won their confidence. Degree works performed on several petitioners were with the help of the brethren of other Lodges. Heretofore, the ritual used was in Spanish but upon the demise of the old leaders, the work shifted to English, paving way for more Filipino petitioners.
During the next five years after the incumbency of WB Quedding as Master, he was busy as Secretary and coach to the new officers of the lodge. Worshipful Brothers Jose Carlos, Teodoro de los Santos, Gregorio Domingo, Wenceslao Santiago, Justiniano Castillo and Felipe Pilapil, Jr occupied the East one after the other from 1949 – 1954. Theirs was the task of careful, slow, training and proving their way in search of more light.
Succeeding leaderships have sincerely and successfully steered Araw Lodge No. 18 to what it is now and today.
As a humble contribution to our fraternity, Past Worshipful Master (1986), WB Magdangal M. De Leon, composed the music of today’s Grand Lodge March while a brother of another Lodge wrote the lyrics. Likewise, the Lodge had contributed the time, effort, knowledge and leadership of eleven of her members in then Masonic District (MD)1-B and MD 5 now MD NCR–C serving as District Deputy Grand Masters (including this Masonic Year 2008). The Lodge had likewise led her Masonic District in the joint commemoration of the Lodge of Remembrance in the past years.
Araw Lodge No. 18, F. & A.M. can proudly look back in service and fellowship in the last century, serving as the beacon light shining through the years.
This year, Araw Lodge celebrates its centennial year.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Lodge History of Jacques DeMolay Memorial Lodge No 305
History of Jacques DeMolay Memorial Lodge No 305 *
"Sometime in the summer of 1991, a group of young Masons from various Blue Lodges in Manila and the provinces gathered to put together the fruit of their dreams. Being mostly Senior DeMolays, they envisioned a Masonic Lodge bearing that indelible name that has become part of their years of youth. A name that reflects the glories of martyrdom and heroism.
Named after Jacques DeMolay (1244 - 1314 AD), the last Grand Master of the Order of the Knights Templar, the symbol and personification of all DeMolays.True to ancient Masonic tradition, as in the early part of the 18th century,this great and important undertaking has its noble beginnings in; of all places, a pub house. There amidst the clink of striking beer mugs the foundations of this vision took its first steps to reality.
First Lights: On October 8, 1992, dispensation was granted by the incumbent Grand Master, MW Agustin V. Mateo. MW Mateo would later become one of the new Lodge's Charter Members. This dispensation was given expiry on the 31st of March 1993 before the Annual Communication as required by the Masonic Constitution.
The Lodge members appointed WB Evaristo Leviste, PM (Worshipful Master); WB Francisco Lovero, PM (Senior Warden) and Bro. Albert Tan (Junior Warden) to its first set of Lights. They were assisted by WB Macario Ramos and Bro. Jose Tan Erandio as Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.
On the 28th of December 1992, the Lodge was instituted by MW Agustin V.Mateo, assisted by prominent members from the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. MW Rosendo Herrera, PGM assisted by VW Alberto Reyes installed the first set of officers.
On the 22 of January 1993, the Lodge conferred the 1st Degree of Masonry upon Bro. Fernando Rahon, the first regular member. On the 22nd of April 1993, during the Annual Communication in Davao City, the Committee on Charters declared valid and official the membership of Lodge No. 305.
A few months later, on the 17th of June 1993, MW Rizal Aportadera, constituted Lodge No. 305, from then on to be known as Jacques DeMolay Memorial Lodge No. 305 of Free andAccepted Masons, Republic of the Philippines. That same evening, Junior Grand Lecturer VW Paul Lasam assisted by Junior Grand Deacon Fernando Mariano installed the first set of officers:
Worshipful Master - WB EvaristoLeviste
Senior Warden - WB Francisco Lovero
Junior Warden - Bro. AlbertTan
Secretary - WB Macario Ramos, Sr.
Treasurer - Bro. Jose Tan Erandio.
In duetime, Jacques DeMolay Memorial Lodge No. 305 became noted for its noble endeavors such as the Christmas Joy Through The Eyes of a Child. This affair with family members aims to share gifts and spread happiness to orphans during the yuletide season.
Jacques DeMolay Memorial Lodge No. 305 meets every 4th Friday of every month at the Scottish Rite Temple, Manila."
* This brief history is according to VW Sonny Leviste, PM as told to Bro.Raymond Saa. Some excerpts were lifted from the book "Philippine Lodges" by MW Reynold S. Fajardo and VW Geminiano V. Galarosa.
Via email by Bro. Joji Bulawin, PMJDML 305
http://www.jacquesdemolay305.org
"Sometime in the summer of 1991, a group of young Masons from various Blue Lodges in Manila and the provinces gathered to put together the fruit of their dreams. Being mostly Senior DeMolays, they envisioned a Masonic Lodge bearing that indelible name that has become part of their years of youth. A name that reflects the glories of martyrdom and heroism.
Named after Jacques DeMolay (1244 - 1314 AD), the last Grand Master of the Order of the Knights Templar, the symbol and personification of all DeMolays.True to ancient Masonic tradition, as in the early part of the 18th century,this great and important undertaking has its noble beginnings in; of all places, a pub house. There amidst the clink of striking beer mugs the foundations of this vision took its first steps to reality.
First Lights: On October 8, 1992, dispensation was granted by the incumbent Grand Master, MW Agustin V. Mateo. MW Mateo would later become one of the new Lodge's Charter Members. This dispensation was given expiry on the 31st of March 1993 before the Annual Communication as required by the Masonic Constitution.
The Lodge members appointed WB Evaristo Leviste, PM (Worshipful Master); WB Francisco Lovero, PM (Senior Warden) and Bro. Albert Tan (Junior Warden) to its first set of Lights. They were assisted by WB Macario Ramos and Bro. Jose Tan Erandio as Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.
On the 28th of December 1992, the Lodge was instituted by MW Agustin V.Mateo, assisted by prominent members from the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. MW Rosendo Herrera, PGM assisted by VW Alberto Reyes installed the first set of officers.
On the 22 of January 1993, the Lodge conferred the 1st Degree of Masonry upon Bro. Fernando Rahon, the first regular member. On the 22nd of April 1993, during the Annual Communication in Davao City, the Committee on Charters declared valid and official the membership of Lodge No. 305.
A few months later, on the 17th of June 1993, MW Rizal Aportadera, constituted Lodge No. 305, from then on to be known as Jacques DeMolay Memorial Lodge No. 305 of Free andAccepted Masons, Republic of the Philippines. That same evening, Junior Grand Lecturer VW Paul Lasam assisted by Junior Grand Deacon Fernando Mariano installed the first set of officers:
Worshipful Master - WB EvaristoLeviste
Senior Warden - WB Francisco Lovero
Junior Warden - Bro. AlbertTan
Secretary - WB Macario Ramos, Sr.
Treasurer - Bro. Jose Tan Erandio.
In duetime, Jacques DeMolay Memorial Lodge No. 305 became noted for its noble endeavors such as the Christmas Joy Through The Eyes of a Child. This affair with family members aims to share gifts and spread happiness to orphans during the yuletide season.
Jacques DeMolay Memorial Lodge No. 305 meets every 4th Friday of every month at the Scottish Rite Temple, Manila."
* This brief history is according to VW Sonny Leviste, PM as told to Bro.Raymond Saa. Some excerpts were lifted from the book "Philippine Lodges" by MW Reynold S. Fajardo and VW Geminiano V. Galarosa.
Via email by Bro. Joji Bulawin, PMJDML 305
http://www.jacquesdemolay305.org
The History of Siete Martires Lodge No 177 (GLP)
This will be a recurring post regarding history of Lodges. Especially for those lodges without a website, this will somehow "immortalised" the history of your lodge.
(Moderator)
"The Name: Siete Martires (Seven Martyrs)
This lodge was named in honor of the seven (7) martyrs who, in their fight against the tyrranical abuses of the "Guardia Civil" and "Cora Parrocos" during the Spanish regime, were discovered, arrested and executed at the Balaoan, La Union Cemetery. These martyrs are:
1. Luciano Ressureccion
2. Proceso Ostrea
3. Antonio Ostrea
4. Rufino Zambrano
5. Franco Ostrea
6. Patricio Lopez
7. Mariano Peralta
The Lodge: In October 1964, Bros. Federico P. Concepcion, Eleno O. Orallo, Castor Z. Concepcion and Juan O. Conception conceived the idea of establishing a lodge in Balaoan, La Union. On October 24, 1964, WB Castor Z. Concepcion invited all the brethren in Balaoan to an organizational meeting in his residence.
They chose WB Federico P. Conception to be the first Master of the proposed lodge, WB Eleno O. Orallo to be the first Senior Warden and WB Jesus L. Ostrea to be the first Junior Warden.
With the support and endorsement of Union Lodge ::70, the organizers obtained a dispensation to establish Siete Martires Lodge U.D. from Grand Master CharkesMosebrook on December 10, 1964.
The lodge immediately started to function and at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines (ANCOM GLP) in April 1965, the Committee on Charters recommended that it be granted a permanent charter and assigned number 177.
On July 10, 1965, the new Grand Master, MW Bro Serafin L. Teves, assisted by Bros Marcelino Viduya, Miguel Rilloraza, Doroteo A. Parong, Jack Gesner and other Masonic dignitaries opened a special communication of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines in ample form at Balaoan, La Union, for the purpose of constituting Siete Martires Lodge ::177.
After the constitution of the lodge, a program ensued. The Mayor of Balaoan delivered a welcome address and offered the facilities of his town to the distingish visitors from Manila.
RW Bro Mariano Q. Tinio then installed the officers of the lodge in public form. WB Federico P. Concepcion, the newly installed Master, delivered an address expressing his gratitude to the Grand Master and his party for their sacrifices in coming to Balaoan, La Union to constitute the lodge and install its officers.
Like all new lodges, Siete Martires ::177 had an itinerant existence. It first met at the residence of Bro. Esteban Viloria, Sr., then it moved to the residence of WB Leonides Basconsillo, Sr., and still later to the house of Bro Senator Gaudencio Antonino. There was a time too that the lodge met in a small, unventilated building made available through the benevolence of WB Ruperto Ledda.
In October 1989, a group of brothers led by their Worshipful Master, WB Dr. Arturo G. Llavore, organized the Square and Compass Society whose prime objective was to raise funds for the construction of an impressive Masonic edifice in Balaoan. In that same year, after a long drought, the members initiated, passed and raised five (5) new members.
The lodge was doing well up to 1994 when something went amiss that caused indifference among the members. Every succeeding District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM) tried to infuse new life into the lodge but all to no avail. At the start of the year 2002, however, under the firm and tenacious leadership of DDGM Bro Dr. Ralph A. Asuncion and the selfless cooperation of the members of Union ::70, Mayon ::61, Batong Buhay ::27, Angalo ::63 and Jose Rizal ::22, the lodge began to stir.
With a veteran lodge manager and a Past Master of Mayon Lodge, WB Cesar Lopez, as its new Master; the members are confident that their lodge is on its way to reclaim its former splendor and glory.
The Saga Continues: Under the reigns of WB Cesar Ostrea, WB Edgardo Orallo, WB Carlos Tayag, VWB Amerhassan "Wayda" Lucman with the support of the Lucman Clan, VWB Almerick "Mick" Phua Phee and of course, with the support of the Phua Phee family, our Lodge continue to prosper. The ever active participation of Union Lodge ::70, Baguio ::67 and La Trinidad ::344 with special mention of Bro Mariano "Kaw Bins" Sia cannot be highlighted enough for our continuing existence."
Shared via email by:
Bro Pete M. Velasco, Jr.
Siete Martires Lodge :: 177 MWGLP (F&AM)
City of San Fernando, La Union, Republic of the Philippines
(Moderator)
"The Name: Siete Martires (Seven Martyrs)
This lodge was named in honor of the seven (7) martyrs who, in their fight against the tyrranical abuses of the "Guardia Civil" and "Cora Parrocos" during the Spanish regime, were discovered, arrested and executed at the Balaoan, La Union Cemetery. These martyrs are:
1. Luciano Ressureccion
2. Proceso Ostrea
3. Antonio Ostrea
4. Rufino Zambrano
5. Franco Ostrea
6. Patricio Lopez
7. Mariano Peralta
The Lodge: In October 1964, Bros. Federico P. Concepcion, Eleno O. Orallo, Castor Z. Concepcion and Juan O. Conception conceived the idea of establishing a lodge in Balaoan, La Union. On October 24, 1964, WB Castor Z. Concepcion invited all the brethren in Balaoan to an organizational meeting in his residence.
They chose WB Federico P. Conception to be the first Master of the proposed lodge, WB Eleno O. Orallo to be the first Senior Warden and WB Jesus L. Ostrea to be the first Junior Warden.
With the support and endorsement of Union Lodge ::70, the organizers obtained a dispensation to establish Siete Martires Lodge U.D. from Grand Master CharkesMosebrook on December 10, 1964.
The lodge immediately started to function and at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines (ANCOM GLP) in April 1965, the Committee on Charters recommended that it be granted a permanent charter and assigned number 177.
On July 10, 1965, the new Grand Master, MW Bro Serafin L. Teves, assisted by Bros Marcelino Viduya, Miguel Rilloraza, Doroteo A. Parong, Jack Gesner and other Masonic dignitaries opened a special communication of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines in ample form at Balaoan, La Union, for the purpose of constituting Siete Martires Lodge ::177.
After the constitution of the lodge, a program ensued. The Mayor of Balaoan delivered a welcome address and offered the facilities of his town to the distingish visitors from Manila.
RW Bro Mariano Q. Tinio then installed the officers of the lodge in public form. WB Federico P. Concepcion, the newly installed Master, delivered an address expressing his gratitude to the Grand Master and his party for their sacrifices in coming to Balaoan, La Union to constitute the lodge and install its officers.
Like all new lodges, Siete Martires ::177 had an itinerant existence. It first met at the residence of Bro. Esteban Viloria, Sr., then it moved to the residence of WB Leonides Basconsillo, Sr., and still later to the house of Bro Senator Gaudencio Antonino. There was a time too that the lodge met in a small, unventilated building made available through the benevolence of WB Ruperto Ledda.
In October 1989, a group of brothers led by their Worshipful Master, WB Dr. Arturo G. Llavore, organized the Square and Compass Society whose prime objective was to raise funds for the construction of an impressive Masonic edifice in Balaoan. In that same year, after a long drought, the members initiated, passed and raised five (5) new members.
The lodge was doing well up to 1994 when something went amiss that caused indifference among the members. Every succeeding District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM) tried to infuse new life into the lodge but all to no avail. At the start of the year 2002, however, under the firm and tenacious leadership of DDGM Bro Dr. Ralph A. Asuncion and the selfless cooperation of the members of Union ::70, Mayon ::61, Batong Buhay ::27, Angalo ::63 and Jose Rizal ::22, the lodge began to stir.
With a veteran lodge manager and a Past Master of Mayon Lodge, WB Cesar Lopez, as its new Master; the members are confident that their lodge is on its way to reclaim its former splendor and glory.
The Saga Continues: Under the reigns of WB Cesar Ostrea, WB Edgardo Orallo, WB Carlos Tayag, VWB Amerhassan "Wayda" Lucman with the support of the Lucman Clan, VWB Almerick "Mick" Phua Phee and of course, with the support of the Phua Phee family, our Lodge continue to prosper. The ever active participation of Union Lodge ::70, Baguio ::67 and La Trinidad ::344 with special mention of Bro Mariano "Kaw Bins" Sia cannot be highlighted enough for our continuing existence."
Shared via email by:
Bro Pete M. Velasco, Jr.
Siete Martires Lodge :: 177 MWGLP (F&AM)
City of San Fernando, La Union, Republic of the Philippines
The Sand and Stone: From My Muslim Brother
Received from a YahooGroups email the following inspiring story:
"Two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey, they had an argument; and one friend slapped the other on the face.
The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote on the sand:
"Today my best friend slapped me on the face."
They kept on walking, until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him.
After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:
"Today my best friend saved my life."
The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote on the sand and now, you write on a stone. Why?"
The friend replied, "When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand, where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it!"
Learn to write your hurts in the sand and to carve your benefits in stone.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them."
"Do not value the things you have in your life, but value who you have in your life."
Dawud (original author unknown)
"If someone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar" (1 Jn 4:20).
"Be faithful, be just and convince the world by your acts that; upon becoming a Master Mason you will become a better man".
"You cannot be a true believer unless you wish for your brother what you wish for yourself."
"Two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey, they had an argument; and one friend slapped the other on the face.
The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote on the sand:
"Today my best friend slapped me on the face."
They kept on walking, until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him.
After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:
"Today my best friend saved my life."
The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote on the sand and now, you write on a stone. Why?"
The friend replied, "When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand, where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it!"
Learn to write your hurts in the sand and to carve your benefits in stone.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them."
"Do not value the things you have in your life, but value who you have in your life."
Dawud (original author unknown)
"If someone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar" (1 Jn 4:20).
"Be faithful, be just and convince the world by your acts that; upon becoming a Master Mason you will become a better man".
"You cannot be a true believer unless you wish for your brother what you wish for yourself."
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