SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE UNITED STATES
Established in 1864 by Baron A. Hugo Debulow
EVENTS AND PHOTOS
Rose Croix Celebration –
scheduled events are listed in calender (below)
Maundy Thursday The Rose Croix Chapters traditionally observed Maundy Thursday on the middle day of Holy Week and variously called, “Holy Thursday”, “The Day of the Supper of the Lord” and “The Day of Mysteries”. Also, traditionally, the Christian world fixes it using the dates of Easter Sunday, which is the first Sunday after the full moon which happens on or after March 1, the vernal equinox.
Freemasonry has remembered this special day and Brethren of the Scottish Rite have gathered throughout the world to reaffirm their faith in the universal fraternity of mankind. The first written record of such observance is a ritual of the Eighteenth Degree, which Charles de Ladebat prepared and published in 1856 in New Orleans. The Code of Statutes adopted in 1866 lists Maundy Thursday as a feast day, and as of 1878, the Statues indicated its observance as obligatory. (Chapter of Rose Croix Feast) Maundy Thursday punctuates the Scottish Rite Calendar as our most scared event. The history and the liturgy of all the Judeo-Christian religions intersect and clearly define this one evening as highly significant to western man. In our Maundy Thursday observance, we Mason’s refer directly to the last Supper of the Master and the Cataclysmic events, which were to follow; indirectly, recognizing that Jews was celebrating at that meal the ancient Jewish tradition of the Passover.
We call attention that the liberation of our early brethren from servitude and their journey to Freedom. These two major historical events and their impact upon man constitute a theme for most of our commentaries and orations on Maundy Thursday. We should also consider, and in fact look towards our immediate area of personal self-improvement of ethical and philosophical lessons not mentioned in the events. They are the apparent temporary thoughts of powering victory of darkness over light, of evil over good, of ignorance over truth, and the ultimate recognition that dominance is conceptual and finite.
To both Christian and Jews, the Last Supper rings out with a cacophony of evil. The slavery of an entire people and the crucifixion of the Savior are two events so bleak that they fill the contemplative soul with an object sense of remorse.
If we step back from the personalization of Maundy Thursday from its historic identity, we observe that its lessons have come down with devastating power on all people. There is not a tribe, society, sect, religion or cultural body that has not suffered from and been force to wage combat in the assault of darkness against light. The key to the solution of our present dilemma, as it has always been for all mankind, is the realization that we are hence to enter the fray that we cannot stand by as idle spectators while angles and devils contend for supremacy. Indeed, the consistent theme throughout the ages has included man as an active participant creating the very darkness he opposes. It was man who ate of the forbidden fruit, enslaved his brethren and accused the Redeemer. It was man, prone to error and superstition that would snuff out the taper and condemn him to darkness.
The reason why such events as Maundy Thursday and the Passover impact our lives year after year is their containment within itself, both the statement and the solution to our problems; offering us a new hope of redemption. Contemplating upon the nature of light and its counterparts in terms of human virtues, we eventually realizing they are never destroyed but merely unused at times. " Darkness is not an absolute power that removes light; it is only the absence of it. Darkness does not envelope light, however, light departing permits darkness to reign. Light come from a source and darkness has no focal point, but only to exist as a negative condition. How suitable then are these two events to serve as metaphors describing the powers and presence of God. Its virtues are liken to God such as light stemming from a source that penetrates and have a true existence. Their opposite in turn, like the principle of evil possessing characteristics must flee and vanish in the presence of good."
Our Masonic traditions have always endeavored to teach us this simple, yet glorious truth. Virtue and love must always conquer the daughters of the night because only the attributes of the Great Architect are infinite and unchanging. Masons learn to seek out transactions of their daily lives, those attitudes and actions, which bespeak rectitude of character. Men of faith hope and charity reflect the energies of light givers, and as such sweep away from the recessed of their souls the dark and likeness shadows of doubt pessimism, and misanthropy. The Scottish Rite Mason insists upon taking up the taper and inspiring new hope and resolution in his community, country, and eventually the entire World. A government dedicated to liberty and fraternity is the watchword of a New Jerusalem among nations. Returning to the lessons of Maundy Thursday, we are remind, that the cornerstone of every edifice must be as true and functional as its most elevated and ornate spine.
As men, we demonstrate envy, superstition, and anger; therefore, we each must embrace charity, knowledge and compassion. We may flee from the slavery of the Pharaoh; yet remain forever enslaved to false values. Each of us must leverage our faculties to judge others with an overpowering understanding and love for our fellow men. Maundy Thursday, at first glimpse appears a bleak tragedy, nevertheless, it is also the promise for eventual redemption when man recognizes in who’s image he is created and dedicates the rest of his life to honoring rightful heritage.
The Knight of the Rose Croix main symbol features a mother Pelican pecking her breast to feed her young with her blood as a prominent symbol of the Eighteenth Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. This symbol adopted because the pelican, in ancient Christian, considered as the emblem of the Savior.
We exist as a special community, a community having the willingness to accept controversy. The inability to deal with conflict often cultivates conflict to the point that it divides the community. Our underlying principals, not our personalities or individualism must be the focus of our discussions. We must recognize that risk taking does not guarantee success; nevertheless, it is link to the awareness of the need for investment to assure the livelihood of those without equal resources.
We must also recognize and demonstrate the willingness to tax ourselves as a sense of empowerment that transcends to our communities; recognize its needs and act collectively to address them. Our established society, especially of public character affects our community foundation particularly, when it’s claim as an educational, charitable, and religious purposes. We must not lose sight of the meaning of benevolence; it is an expression of goodwill to others resulting from deeds of helpfulness. From time past covenants have been made between individuals and associations of individuals, ours being a sacred institution dedicated to certain high and noble ends for those who cross its threshold.
The law of nature, which is the will of God relating to human actions, that is grounded on the moral differences of things and discoverable by natural light. The obligation upon mankind is written on the human consciences and therefore, is our greatest challenge. I pray that we will embrace our passions with our spirituality; seek and remember the significance of the Maundy Thursday; rededicating ourselves to the good work; and pursuit such that is most pleasing to God.
JACQUES DEMOLAY KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
COMMANDER
In the two centuries of their known existence the Knights Templar served under twenty-three Grand Masters. It is Jacques DeMolay the twenty-third and last Grand Master however, whom is best know. Little is known of Jacques DeMolay's childhood, except that he was born in the year 1244 in an area called Vitrey, Department of Haute Saone, France. but what is known is that in 1265 at the age of twenty-one, he joined the Knights Templar. The Knights Templar were an organization sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church in 1128 to guard the road between Jerusalem and Acre, an important port city on the Mediterranean Sea.
The Order of Knights Templar participated in the Crusades and earned a name for valor and heroism. Like many that sought out the Order of the Temple, Jacques DeMolay joined seeking the thrill of battle with the infidel. In his later years he reflected on how he and his fellow knights silently grumbled about then Grand Master William of Beaujeu and his pacific attitude towards the Mamlukes who at that time occupied the Holy Land.
It seemed that the young Templars were not found of King Edward's truce with the enemy, for it did little to add their blood to the Templar's swords. Jacques DeMolay as Grand Master of the Knights Templar. Jacques DeMolay rose through the ranks quickly and spent a great deal of time in Britain. He was first appointed the position of Visitor General and latterly to the post of Grand Preceptor of all England. On the death of the 22nd Grand Master, Theobald Gaudin, Jacques DeMolay was named Grand Master of the Knights Templar, a position of power and prestige.
As Grand Master however, Jacques DeMolay was also in a difficult position. The Crusades were not achieving their goals. The non-Christian Saracens defeated the Crusaders in battle and captured many vital cities and posts. The Knights Templar and the Hospitalers (another Order of Knights) were the only groups remaining to confront the Saracens. Almost immediately Jacques DeMolay moved from England to the island of Cyprus, so that the Knights Templar could reorganize and regain their strength while waiting for the general public to rise up in support of another Crusade. It would be on the island of Cyprus that Jacques DeMolay would remain until Philip IV and Clement V summoned him to France in the autumn of 1307.
Philip the Friar Instead of public support, however, the Knights attracted the attention of powerful lords, who were interested in obtaining their wealth and power. In 1305, Philip the Fair, King of France, set about to obtain control of the Knights Templars. They had been accountable only to the Church. To prevent a rise in the power of the Church, and to increase his own wealth, Philip set out to take over the Knights. The year 1307 saw the beginning of the persecution of the Knights. Jacques DeMolay, along with hundreds of others, were seized and thrown into dungeons.
For seven years, Jacques DeMolay and the Knights suffered torture and inhuman conditions. The inquisitors would go to any means to extract the confessions that would damn the order in the eyes of the people and the Catholic Church While the Knights did not end, Philip managed to force Pope Clement to condemn the Templars. Their wealth and property were confiscated and given to Philip's supporters.
During years of torture, Jacques DeMolay continued to be loyal to his friends and Knights. He refused to disclose the location of the funds of the Order and he refused to betray his comrades. On March 18, 1314, DeMolay was tried by a special court. As evidence, the court depended on a forged confession, allegedly signed by Jacques DeMolay. He disavowed the forged confession. Under the laws of the time, the disavowal of a confession was punishable by death. Another Knight, Guy of Auvergne, likewise disavowed his confession and stood with Jacques DeMolay. Staind Glass window representing the last moments on Jacques DeMolay's life.
King Philip ordered them both to be burned at the stake that day, Jacques DeMolay was then taken to an island on the Siene and burned along with Guy of Auvergne the Preceptor of Normandy.
There are many accounts of Jacques DeMolay's dying words, but the one of the foremost Templar scholars records them as follows: "It is just that, in so terrible a day, and in the last moments of my life, I should discover all the iniquity of falsehood, and make the truth triumph. I declare, then, in the face of heaven and earth, and acknowledge, though to my eternal shame, that I have committed the greatest crimes but it has been the acknowledging of those which have been so foully charged on the order.
I attest - and truth obliges me to attest - that it is innocent! I made the contrary declaration only to suspend the excessive pains of torture, and to mollify those who made me endure them. I know the punishments which have been inflicted on all the knights who had the courage to revoke a similar confession; but the dreadful spectacle which is presented to me is not able to make me confirm one lie by another.
The life offered me on such infamous terms I abandon without regret." The execution of Jacques DeMolay Reports say they were slowly roasted over a hot, smokeless fire prolonging their agony as their flesh slowly cooked and blackened.
(King Phillip) (Pope Clement)
Jacques DeMolay insisted that his hands were not to be bound so that he could pray in his final moments and before he died he cursed both Philip and Pope Clement, summoning both of them to appear before God, the supreme judge, before the year was out. His last words were, "Let evil swiftly befall those who have wrongly condemned us - God will avenge us." Guy of Advernge is reported to have added, "I shall follow the way of my master as a martyr you have killed him. You have done and know not. God willing, on this day, I shall die in the Order like him." The chilling irony of the conclusion of this story is that Jacques DeMolay's final words did, in fact, come true.
Pope Clement V died only a month later on April 20th (he is suspected of having cancer of the bowel) and Philip IV was killed while on a hunting trip on November 29th 1314. True to the claim both men did indeed die within the year of Jacques DeMolay's own death. With all best wishes for peace profound.
ANCIENT ARABIC ORDER OF THE MYSTIC SHRINE
SHRINERS
SHRINERS
The Shriners, A.A.O.N.M.S. or Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, established in New York City in 1870, is an appendent body to Freemasonry. The organization is best-known for their red fezzes that members wear.
In 1870, there were several thousand Masons in Manhattan. Many of these Masons made it a point to lunch at the Knickerbocker Cottage, and at a special table on the second floor, a particularly jovial group of Masons used to meet regularly, and often discussed the idea of a new fraternity for Masons, in which fun and fellowship would be stressed more than ritual.
Two of the table regulars, Walter M. Fleming, M.D., and William J. Conlin, an actor with the stage name William J. Florence, took the idea seriously enough to act upon it. Billy Florence, was a world-renowned actor, and while on tour in Marseilles, he was invited to a party given by an Arabian diplomat. The entertainment was something in the nature of an elaborately staged musical comedy. At its conclusion, the guests became members of a secret society.
Florence took copious notes and drawings at his initial viewing and on two other occasions, once in Algiers and once in Cairo. When he returned to New York in 1870 and showed his material to Dr. Fleming. Fleming took the ideas supplied by Florence and converted them into what would become the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S.).
While there is some question about the origin of the Fraternity's name, it may not be a coincidence that its initials, rearranged, spell out the words "A MASON."
The group adopted a Middle Eastern theme and soon established "Temples" meeting in "Mosques" across the continent. Another Masonic group, the Mysterious Order of the Veiled Prophet of the Enchanted Realm (known colloquially as the "Grotto"), adopted a similar theme in 1890.
The Middle Eastern theme was popular at the time and alluded to the mystery and ceremony of the Arabian Nights, with its elaborate parties and frolic. Membership Despite its theme, the Shrine is not Islam. It is a men's fraternity rather than a religion or religious group. Its only religious requirement is indirect: all Shriners must be Masons, and petitioners to Freemasonry must profess a belief in a Supreme Being.
In order to further minimize any confusion with religion, the use of the word "Temple" to describe Shriners' buildings has now been replaced by the phrase "Shrine Center." Until 2000, before being eligible for membership in the Shrine, a person had to complete either the Scottish Rite or York Rite degrees of Masonry, but now any Master Mason can join.
We hope you have been moved by the contents of these historical events and photos denoting honorable masons and shriners.
Special Note: Review the following websites from time to time for further light.
http://orientofvawestern.org
The following WJ websites are under development:
Orient of DC
Orient of MD
Orient of IL
We hope these historical events and photos have been educational, informative and helpful. Your decision to join the 'Scottish Rite' should be of your own free will and accord.
Sincerely and Fraternally Yours,
In 1870, there were several thousand Masons in Manhattan. Many of these Masons made it a point to lunch at the Knickerbocker Cottage, and at a special table on the second floor, a particularly jovial group of Masons used to meet regularly, and often discussed the idea of a new fraternity for Masons, in which fun and fellowship would be stressed more than ritual.
Two of the table regulars, Walter M. Fleming, M.D., and William J. Conlin, an actor with the stage name William J. Florence, took the idea seriously enough to act upon it. Billy Florence, was a world-renowned actor, and while on tour in Marseilles, he was invited to a party given by an Arabian diplomat. The entertainment was something in the nature of an elaborately staged musical comedy. At its conclusion, the guests became members of a secret society.
Florence took copious notes and drawings at his initial viewing and on two other occasions, once in Algiers and once in Cairo. When he returned to New York in 1870 and showed his material to Dr. Fleming. Fleming took the ideas supplied by Florence and converted them into what would become the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S.).
While there is some question about the origin of the Fraternity's name, it may not be a coincidence that its initials, rearranged, spell out the words "A MASON."
The group adopted a Middle Eastern theme and soon established "Temples" meeting in "Mosques" across the continent. Another Masonic group, the Mysterious Order of the Veiled Prophet of the Enchanted Realm (known colloquially as the "Grotto"), adopted a similar theme in 1890.
The Middle Eastern theme was popular at the time and alluded to the mystery and ceremony of the Arabian Nights, with its elaborate parties and frolic. Membership Despite its theme, the Shrine is not Islam. It is a men's fraternity rather than a religion or religious group. Its only religious requirement is indirect: all Shriners must be Masons, and petitioners to Freemasonry must profess a belief in a Supreme Being.
In order to further minimize any confusion with religion, the use of the word "Temple" to describe Shriners' buildings has now been replaced by the phrase "Shrine Center." Until 2000, before being eligible for membership in the Shrine, a person had to complete either the Scottish Rite or York Rite degrees of Masonry, but now any Master Mason can join.
We hope you have been moved by the contents of these historical events and photos denoting honorable masons and shriners.
Special Note: Review the following websites from time to time for further light.
http://orientofvawestern.org
The following WJ websites are under development:
Orient of DC
Orient of MD
Orient of IL
We hope these historical events and photos have been educational, informative and helpful. Your decision to join the 'Scottish Rite' should be of your own free will and accord.
Sincerely and Fraternally Yours,
/s/
William T. Gray, III, 33°
Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander