Public Installations: Guidance for Family Members and Friends

Public installations of Lodge officers are rarely done in some parts of the world, namely the United Kingdom, Australia and Europe. But in the US and those Lodges influenced by the US "brand of Freemansory" it is common occurance to give non-Masons [both male and female] the chance to have fellowships with Masons in the Lodge.

Below is an article outlining the protocols and raison d'etre of such occassion. This particular article was issued on the 56th public installation of WBro elect Teodoro Kalaw IV of Teodoro M Kalaw Memorial Lodge No 136:

"On the occasion of the public installation of a Lewis as Worshipful Master of a Worshipful Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and particularly when the Worshipful Lodge concerned shares strong ties with the clan of the Lewis who will be installed, it is a privilege for the brethren of such Worshipful Lodge to celebrate the occasion not only with their own family members and fellow Freemasons but also with the clan members and friends of their incoming Master.

The most senior Freemason of the subject clan and his wife, or in the absence of such; the widow of the most senior Freemason who has passed on, is usually charged on behalf of their or her clan with the privilege of inviting their or her clan members and friends to the celebration after the public installation.

As such, invitation is also sent jointly with the formal invitation to the public installation issued by the brethren of the Worshipful Lodge concerned, such family members and friends are very much welcome to witness the ceremonies of installation before the celebration, as detailed in the formal invitation of the Worshipful Lodge.

As the public installation of a Worshipful Master is one of the few exceptions to the general rule that ceremonies and meetings of the fraternity be held privately, such therefore offers clan members and friends a unique opportunity to personally witness for themselves the real work of Freemasonry as applied by its practitioners. Other than an ecumenical invocation at the start of the ceremonies, the proceedings are purely secular in nature.

Please note that the installation is a formal proceeding. Like the celebration after, dress for family members and friends attending is formal [much so for brethren attending such installation- Moderator].

At certain times during the ceremonies, doors to the hall where the installation will take place will be closed for various reasons, as will be understood by those already seated inside. Guests arriving during the course of the event when the doors are closed will be provided temporary seats by ushers in the reception hall until the doors are again opened."

Eva Estrada Kalaw,

Former Senator of the Republic of the Philippines &

Past Worthy Matron, Kalaw Chapter No. 9 of the Order of the Eastern Star

On behalf of her Clan and in memory of her late Father-in-Law,

Teodoro M. Kalaw (1884-1940)

Grand Master of Philippine Freemasons, 1928

late Husband, Teodoro Kalaw Jr. (1913-1984)

Grand Master of Philippine Freemasons, 1975

and

late Son, Teodoro Kalaw III (1947-1973)

Entered Apprentice Mason, Teodoro M. Kalaw Memorial Lodge No. 136

Requests the Honor of Your Presence at the Celebration

immediately following

the Installation of her Grandson

Teodoro Kalaw IV

As Worshipful Master

of Teodoro M. Kalaw Memorial Lodge No. 136

On Saturday, the Twenty-First of February, 2009

At Seven o'clock in the Evening

Wack Wack Golf & Country Club, Mandaluyong City

Formal Attire

R.S.V.P. Cathy

Notes:

*"Lewis is traditional English for a man who is the son, grandson, or direct male descendant of a Freemason. The term comes from the device traditionally used by operative masons, consisting of two wedge-shaped side pieces fit together by a straight centerpiece, to raise heavy blocks of stone into place; symbolizing the utility and strength of family heritage in building Masonic character."

*"Installation is traditional English for the ceremonies relating to the formal assumption of an office and the undertaking of a charge on behalf of others."

*"Worshipful is traditional English for "Respectful" and is used byFreemasons in precisely the same manner as the term is still used to address certain judges in common law jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom."

*"Lodge refers to a chapter of Freemasons, who usually meet in meeting halls known as Temples, the latter term being used in much the same manner as the traditional Inns of Court in London known as the "InnerTemple" and "Middle Temple" are used as office chambers for lawyers."

*"A lodge of Freemasons is led by a Master, who generally must first prove himself through a succession of subordinate offices, particularly that of the Junior and Senior Wardens, before being elected to the Master's chair by his peers. It thus often takes several years before one is deemed both competent and fit to be installed as a Worshipful Master of one's Lodge. Masters and Wardens are traditional English terms for officers still very much in use by some organizations, such as the livery companies for specific professionals and traders recognized by the City of London."