Can I Go To Scottish Rite Reunions That Aren’T In My Area?

The Scottish Rite, a branch of Freemasonry, holds annual reunions in the Spring and Fall. To join the Scottish Rite, one must be a Master Mason in good standing in a COGMINA lodge, complete a petition, and attend a “Reunion”. Each state or jurisdiction within the Southern Jurisdiction is called an Orient, and each Valley has up to four Scottish Rite bodies.

The Scottish Rite Masonry is a philosophy of life that emphasizes maintaining relationships with fellow men and God. The Valley of Chicago is excited to announce its upcoming Spring Reunion on April 12 and 13, where the degrees of the Lodge of Perfection, Princes of Jerusalem, Chapter of Rose Croix, or Consistory are conferred on members and candidates.

For further information, contact the Houston Scottish Rite Valley at 713-432-1051. Members are encouraged to attend and participate in degree reunions, which are presented in gatherings called “Reunions”. Brethren who live far away from their Scottish Rite Valley may attend a local Scottish Rite club during activities.

The Scottish Rite also has Grand Lodges outside of the USA and Canada, providing valuable perspectives from the Valley and Orient levels to enhance the organization. The Orient also provides information about upcoming Reunion Classes, offering opportunities for personal growth and development for Masons from other regions.

Applicants seeking to become Scottish Rite Masons can witness the 4° and meet their new Scottish Rite Brethren at a Valley Reunion. The great Temple of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Guthrie is a place where the glory of the Grand Architect of the Universe is celebrated.

Do you have to be Scottish to join the Scottish Rite?

The Scottish Rite degrees, originating in France and based on Scottish legends, are not a secret society. While it is a requirement for members to believe in a Supreme Being, it is not important how they express their personal beliefs. Freemasonry does not have a dogmatic system, but confusion about its secular nature has been common. The Holy Book on the altar in a Masonic lodge can be any Holy Book important to the members, such as the King James Version of the Bible in the U. S. The Scottish Rite and other forms of Freemasonry operate in the open, with many events open to the public. Masons are recognized through “modes of recognition” such as passwords and handshakes.

What is the 32 degree of the Scottish Rite?

32° Scottish Rite Freemasonry is an appendant body of Freemasonry that allows Master Masons to deepen their understanding of the Craft. The 29 degrees in 32° Freemasonry build on the ethical teachings of the first three degrees in the Blue Lodge. Each Valley has up to four bodies, each conferring a set of degrees. In the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, the Lodge of Perfection is the starting point for a Mason’s journey, offering degrees focusing on spirituality, the Hiramic Legend, and Biblical lessons. Like-minded Masons share their passion and commitment to Masonry through the study of additional degrees.

What is the highest honor in the Scottish Rite?

The Grand Cross of the Court of Honour is the highest individual honor bestowed by The Supreme Council to Thirty-third Degree Masons for exceptional and extraordinary services. The cap is white with a blue band. The Scottish Rite confers honors upon members who have contributed extraordinary service to the Scottish Rite Freemasonry or Masonry in general and to the world. In 2023, the Inspector General Honorary of the Grand Cross was Steven Franklyn Dowd, 33°, IGH.

What is the royal secret in the Scottish Rite?

The 32nd degree of Freemasonry espouses the belief that humans are endowed with the Royal Secret, which is described as the eternal gift of God, namely love. This secret is not transferable and was bestowed upon humanity at the moment of creation, when the Father instilled life into man and thus made him a living soul. The cherishing of this love is a divine attribute and serves as evidence that all humans are the children of God.

What does the 14th degree ring mean in the Scottish Rite?

A Scottish Rite Mason who attains the 14th degree is entitled to wear a 14th degree ring, which is optional and issued by the Mason’s Lodge of Perfection. The ring symbolizes the completion of the Lodge of Perfection and serves as a reminder of the Masonic journey. The 14th degree ring was formalized in 1882 and is a plain, flat gold band with an equilateral triangle engraved or enameled on the outside. The Hebrew letter yod, which corresponds to the English letter J, is within the triangle, representing the first letter of the name of the Supreme Being.

What is the most Scottish state in America?

Scottish Americans are found across the United States, with some states having a higher percentage of individuals with Scottish ancestry than others. Maine has the highest percentage at 4. 16, followed by Vermont at 4. 04 and New Hampshire at 3. 88. Hawaii, New Jersey, and New York have the lowest percentages at 0. 97, 0. 91, and 0. 99. Most states fall within the range of 1-2 Scottish Americans, with pockets of higher concentration in northeastern states and western states like Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho.

California has the most Scottish-descendent citizens, with 456, 714, while Texas has 375, 541. Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Michigan all have between 200, 000 and 300, 000 Scottish Americans living within their states.

How many Scottish Rite jurisdictions are there in North America?

The Lodges of Perfection and Symbolic Lodges were in harmony from the beginning, starting with the Fourth Degree. In 1813, the United States was divided into two Jurisdictions of the Rite: the Northern Jurisdiction, consisting of fifteen states, and the Southern Jurisdiction, consisting of thirty-five states. Since 1845, each jurisdiction waived its rights of privileges related to the first three Degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry.

The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry was established in Texas in 1867 with the organization of Texas Consistory and Co-ordinate Bodies. Other Consiries have been established in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Lubbock, San Antonio, and Waco. The total membership in Texas is around 20, 000.

During the Rite’s existence, several illustrious Brethren served as Sovereign Grand Inspectors General in Texas and Active Members of the Supreme Council, 33°, for the Southern Jurisdiction, United States of America.

What happens at a Scottish Rite reunion?

A Scottish Rite Reunion is a gathering of Scottish Rite Brothers in most Valleys held in spring and autumn. These reunions allow them to continue their journey into the craft by witnessing the Scottish Rite degrees and exploring the ethical teachings and philosophy of Freemasonry. They also provide social fellowship with Brothers from surrounding communities, offering opportunities to learn from each other and build connections that have sustained the fraternity for centuries. New members of the Valley of Rockville Centre receive their first Scottish Rite degrees.

Is Scottish Rite the same as Masons?

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite is a full Masonic Rite with its own unique versions of the Craft or Blue Lodge rituals, including the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason degrees. It is the most practiced Rite in the world, with most Master Masons being made through the Scottish Rite system. However, in the United States of America, most Lodges do not work the first three degrees in the Scottish Rite but join after the attainment of the third degree in their own systems. Some U. S. Lodges do practice the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite blue degrees, and they have grown in number in recent years.

These blue degrees are more common in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin-American jurisdictions. All lodges in the International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women, Le Droit Humain, work “seamlessly from the first to the thirty-third degree and practice only the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite”. Most lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grande Loge de France use these degrees, as do a few lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grande Loge Nationale Française. It is also a dominant ritual in the Grand Lodge of Spain.

In Australia, two Lodges practice the AASR Craft degrees, The Zetland Lodge of Australia No. 9 and Lodge France 1021, both under the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Is a shriner a mason?

Shriners International is a spin-off of Freemasonry, the oldest and most well-known fraternity globally. Freemasonry originated from the gathering of stonemasons and other craftsmen in shelter houses or lodges, who later organized into guilds. The square and compass became symbols of their brotherhood. Today, Masonry focuses on improving character and strengthening communities, with the square and compass still being symbols.

Shriners International, founded in 1872, builds on the principles of Freemasonry while adding an element of fun and philanthropy. Both organizations are structured similarly, but with different focuses and memberships.

Who was a famous Scottish Rite Mason?

The U. S. military is a symbol of public service, with Freemasons striving to serve their community and nation, particularly in the Scottish Rite, where Devotion to Country is one of their six Core Values. The Masons, including Brother Winston Churchill, Douglas MacArthur, James “Jimmy” Doolittle, Leonard “Bud” Lomell, and Brother Sammy Lee Davis, 33°, exemplified courage, integrity, and a deep commitment to brotherhood and moral uprightness. Their Masonic virtues influenced their leadership and their contributions continue to inspire generations.

Brother Sammy Lee Davis, 33°, is known for his courageous acts during the Vietnam War, where he crossed a river to rescue three wounded American soldiers. He was awarded a Medal of Honor from President Lyndon B. Johnson for his heroism.