The Scottish Rite Foundation, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., Inc. offers two types of national scholarships to eligible cadets: Named One-Year/One-Time Scholarships and Named Scholarships. To receive the 33°rd Degree, Inspector General Honorary, a select few members must demonstrate academic excellence, dependability, good character, self-discipline, good citizenship, and patriotism.
The Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction initiated a program of recognition for high school cadets since 1998. The Scottish Rite consists of a progressive series of degrees conferred by various Masonic organizations or bodies, each operating in 35 states. The Meritorious Service Award (MSA) may be conferred upon members of the Rite in this Jurisdiction who have attained the 32° and who by reason of meritorious reasons have not been a previous recipient of this award.
The application period for 2025 scholarships opens in January 2025, and applicants will be informed of their selection by July 1, 2025. Requests for the award should be sent to the nearest Scottish Rite Valley of the Southern Jurisdiction.
Becoming a Knight of the Double Eagle is attained by accumulating points and presenting the basic award. All additional level awards are available through the Scottish Rite Valleys.
To request JROTC or ROTC awards in the Southern Jurisdiction, please use the online ordering form. The Meritorious Service Award (MSA) may be conferred upon members of the Rite in this Jurisdiction who have attained the 32° and who by reason of meritorious reasons have not been a previous recipient of this award.
📹 Scottish Rite Primer
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 was Steven Franklyn Dowd, 33°, IGH.
What is a 32nd degree mason?
The Scottish Rite degrees, ranging from 4th to 32nd degree, enhance the philosophical teachings of the first three degrees in the Symbolic Lodge. The 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemasonry™, also known as the “University of Freemasonry”, uses allegory and dramatic presentation to explore philosophy, history, ethics, and fundamental truths. To attain the 32°, one must be a Master Mason in good standing, apply to the Scottish Rite in their jurisdiction, and witness five Scottish Rite degrees, including the 4° upon initiation, three additional degrees of the member’s choice, and the 32°. Scottish Rite Masons aspire to be guided by six Core Values: Reverence for God, Integrity, Devotion to Country, Justice, Tolerance, and Service to Humanity.
Is Scottish Rite part of the Masons?
The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry is a Masonic organization that continues a Master Mason’s education of the first three degrees in Freemasonry. It consists of the 4°–32° and an honorary 33°, awarded for exceptional service. While each member must believe in a Supreme Being, it is not important how one expresses that belief. There is no dogmatic system in Freemasonry, but confusion about its secular nature has been common.
The Holy Book on the altar in a Masonic lodge can be any Holy Book, but the King James Version of the Bible is the most commonly used in lodges in the U. S. Freemasonry and other forms operate in the open, with many events open to the public.
Who gets an MSM award?
The Meritorious Service Medal, designed by Jay Morris and sculptured by Lewis J., is bestowed upon any member of the United States armed forces who exhibits exemplary achievement or meritorious service to the country.
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.
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.
How many degrees is Scottish Rite?
The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry consists of thirty-three degrees, conferred by various bodies, including the Craft Blue Lodge, which grants Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason degrees. These degrees are considered “side” degrees, meaning they are degrees of instruction or improvement, not implying a particular power. The hierarchy of Freemasonry can be likened to a three-tiered edifice, with the Master Mason being the highest. Attaining this level grants a Freemason access to the third tier, where they can delve deeper into their Masonic education and broaden their understanding of the craft.
These degrees represent a lateral movement in Masonic education rather than an upward movement. The Scottish Rite, inspired by the Solomonic Tradition and centered on the construction of the Temple of Jerusalem, combines the criterion of duration with the criterion of construction, committing the adept to the path laid out by the Rite. Building oneself in the AASR system is seen as a long process, accomplished on the path of truth, justice, and wisdom.
Is a Meritorious Service Medal a big deal?
The Defense Meritorious Service Medal, established on November 3, 1977, is a bronze medal honoring outstanding non-combat service in a joint assignment with the Department of Defense. It is the third most prestigious award presented by the Department of Defense. Eligible service typically lasts for at least one year. The medal features an eagle in a pentagon shape and a two-ply laurel wreath, with inscriptions on the reverse reading “DEFENSE MERITORIOUS SERVICE” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”. The ribbon is white and features three vertical light blue stripes and a thicker fuschia stripe.
What does it mean to be member of the Scottish Rite?
Scottish Rite Freemasonry represents a specific branch of the Craft Lodge, which encompasses the initial three degrees of Freemasonry. These are the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. The Scottish Rite continues these degrees, from 4° to 32°, with the 33° degree being awarded for exemplary service to the fraternity.
What is the Scottish Rite Meritorious Service Award?
The Supreme Council Constitutions allow the “Award for Meritorious Service” to be awarded to members of the Scottish Rite who have meritorious Masonic service. The recipients must have attained the Thirty-Second Degree of the Scottish Rite. The Valley of Chicago has received this honor, based on the recommendation of four presiding officers and approval from the Illinois Council of Deliberation. The M. S. A. can only be awarded by a State Council of Deliberation for outstanding or significant services within the Scottish Rite.
What is the Scottish Rite Award?
The Scottish Rite recognizes high school and college ROTC cadets for their contributions to Americanism, patriotism, and community service. In addition, the Valley of Newport News awards three local colleges and thirteen high school programs.
📹 A Brief History of the Scottish Rite
This animated video is a brief history of the Scottish Rite in a nutshell. It is not however intended to be a full detailed description of …
Much thanks to previous generations for thier work and patronige. I went to a meeting once, and Greg Ammons had a delicious dinner !! I was enjoying the food and drink so much that I forgot to get it across that I already have a special friend !! I enjoy and respect my elder folks and the few of us younger men that figured it All in!!