Houston Scottish Rite: What Is It?

The Scottish Rite, the largest and most widely practiced Masonic Rite in the world, is a branch of Freemasonry that teaches moral lessons culminating in the 32°, Master of the Royal Secret. Its mission is to improve its members and enhance communities through education and community activities by emulating principles of Brotherly Love, Tolerance, and respect. Originating in southern France in the early 18th century, the Scottish Rite is part of the Rite of Freemasonry.

The organization of the Scottish Rite in Texas began with the Texas Consistory and Co-ordinate Bodies of the Rite in Galveston on May 15, 1867. Since then, other Consories of the Rite have been established. The Scottish Rite is one of the two branches of Freemasonry where a Master Mason may proceed after completing the three degrees of Symbolic or Blue.

The Houston Scottish Rite Learning Center offers programs such as the Houston RiteCare Infant Program and Project T.A.L.K. at the Center for Hearing and Speech. The Houston Scottish Rite Learning Center is dedicated to helping children with speech, language, and learning disorders overcome their disabilities.

The Scottish Rite is part of several groups within the worldwide fraternity of Freemasonry, including the Masons and the Scottish Rite for Children. The Houston Scottish Rite Learning Center is dedicated to helping children with speech, language, and learning disorders overcome their disabilities.

What do the different colored hats mean in Scottish Rite?

The cap, which serves as a public badge for Scottish Rite Masons, is a component of the uniform and is worn by those attaining the 32nd degree. The various colors serve to indicate the degree of wear to which the cap has been subjected. Those seeking further information on Freemasonry are directed to the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry website (scottishrite. org) and the Grand Lodge of Washington website (freemason-wa. org).

What is the royal secret of the 32nd degree?

The 32° degree in Scottish Rite Masonry teaches that humans possess the Royal Secret, an eternal gift of God, which cannot be given to mortals. This secret was incarnated when the Father breathed life into man’s nostrils, transforming him into a living soul. Each Valley has up to four Scottish Rite bodies, each conferring a set of degrees that teach the moral codes of a Mason. In the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, the bodies include the Lodge of Perfection, Council of Princes of Jerusalem, Chapter of Rose Croix, and Consistory.

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.

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.

How many degrees is a Scottish Rite Mason?

The Scottish Rite Masonry has 29 regular degrees, followed by three blue lodge degrees. The 33˚ is honorary and conferred by the Supreme Council. These degrees are staged plays, often featuring costumes, scenery, and special effects, presenting Masonic philosophy to help individuals understand life’s purpose and improve themselves and society. The 32° Freemasonry degrees are organized within four bodies.

What is the difference between Freemasons and Scottish Rite?

The Scottish Rite is a full Rite of Freemasonry, not an appendant body. Master Masons from other rites may join the upper degrees starting from the 4th degree due to its popularity. The Scottish Rite builds upon the ethical teachings and philosophy offered in the Craft (or Blue) Lodge through dramatic presentations of its individual degrees. The term “Blue Lodge” refers to the first three degrees of Masonry, regardless of the Rite being practiced.

Records of lodges conferring the degree of “Scots Master” or “Scotch Master” as early as 1733 include a lodge at Temple Bar in London, a lodge at Bath in 1735, and the French lodge, St. George de l’Observance No. 49 at Covent Garden in 1736. These references indicate special meetings held for performing unusual ceremonies, probably by visiting Freemasons.

The Copiale cipher, dating from the 1740s, says that the rank of a Scottish master is an entirely new invention. French writers Jean-Marie Ragon and Emmanuel Rebold first claimed that the high degrees were created and practiced in Lodge Canongate Kilwinning at Edinburgh, which is entirely false.

What are the three types of Masons?

Degrees are initiation ceremonies in Masonry, indicating progression to membership. The Lodge confers three degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. These degrees are based on the journeymen system, used to educate medieval stonemasons and craftsmen. Degrees are used in colleges and universities today to indicate completion of a course of study. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in each degree before proceeding to the next.

Degree ceremonies pass Masonry’s teachings and principles from generation to generation, serving as sources of knowledge, inspiration, and pride for both candidates and lodge members. Candidates receive respect during all three ceremonies, ensuring they feel comfortable and respected.

What is the difference between a Mason and a Scottish Rite?

The Scottish Rite is a full Rite of Freemasonry, not an appendant body. Master Masons from other rites may join the upper degrees starting from the 4th degree due to its popularity. The Scottish Rite builds upon the ethical teachings and philosophy offered in the Craft (or Blue) Lodge through dramatic presentations of its individual degrees. The term “Blue Lodge” refers to the first three degrees of Masonry, regardless of the Rite being practiced.

Records of lodges conferring the degree of “Scots Master” or “Scotch Master” as early as 1733 include a lodge at Temple Bar in London, a lodge at Bath in 1735, and the French lodge, St. George de l’Observance No. 49 at Covent Garden in 1736. These references indicate special meetings held for performing unusual ceremonies, probably by visiting Freemasons.

The Copiale cipher, dating from the 1740s, says that the rank of a Scottish master is an entirely new invention. French writers Jean-Marie Ragon and Emmanuel Rebold first claimed that the high degrees were created and practiced in Lodge Canongate Kilwinning at Edinburgh, which is entirely false.

Why are we called the Scottish Rite?

The Scottish Rite, a Masonic tradition, has its roots in old French records, where the word “Ecossais” (meaning Scottish) is found. The Rite spread to the West Indies and colonies, with roots in Albany, New York as early as 1767. As the Rite’s growth continued, a Supreme Council was established in Charleston, South Carolina in 1801 to regulate its degrees and practices. This later became known as the Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States. A Supreme Council for the Northern Jurisdiction was organized in 1813, coordinating activities in various states.

The first Scottish Rite bodies of Chicago were chartered on May 14, 1857, following the period ideals of “high degrees” being composed of superior knowledge and membership being limited to the select few. The Lodge of Perfection was named after K. H. Van Renssealer, one of the first leaders in Midwestern Masonry, and the Chapter of Rose Croix honors J. J. J. Gourgas, the Grand Secretary who preserved the Scottish Rite during an era of Masonic persecution.

Do you have to be a mason to be in Scottish Rite?

In order to become a member of the Scottish Rite, it is necessary to be a Master Mason in good standing within a COGMINA lodge and to submit a petition accompanied by the requisite fee.

What do Scottish Rite Masons believe?

The Scottish Rite Masonry aims to aid mankind’s search for identity and destiny in God’s universe, produce wiser, happier men, and promote the dignity of every person and humanity in all activities. The fraternity fulfills its Masonic obligation to care for its members and believes in individual judgment and conscience in civil life. 32° Scottish Rite Masonry expands upon the fundamental principles of Freemasonry, exploring Masonic teachings more deeply.

Building upon the ethical and philosophical teachings of the blue lodge, 32° Scottish Rite reveals a wealth of knowledge about Masonry not found in other degrees. It seeks to enrich the philosophy of the Symbolic Lodge to help good men become even better.