Other than conducting, why are we not allowed to touch candidates during Degrees?

In the Grand Lodge of New York,

Why would we need to touch them other than for the purpose of conducting? Don’t forget that conducting can include assisting the Candidate in kneeling and rising as well as adjusting a Candidate’s Ritual garb if he is improperly clothed. Generally speaking, we don’t touch hoodwinked Candidates during Degrees except for the purposes of conducting because… well, it’s pretty creepy to have some unknown guy pawing you when you’re blindfolded. In cases where a hoodwinked Candidate needs some sort of direction, the conductor or Senior Deacon can simply whisper in his ear. It’s also helpful when Candidates are given some “advance preparation” on a few elements of the Ritual where they often struggle, such as making sure they know the names for the three parts of his feet and have some basic idea as to what sorts of things he might be asked to do with them. This can do much to eliminate any possibility that a Brother might feel it was useful or necessary to touch a Candidate below the waist or in any way other than those embraced by the duty of conducting.

The answers provided here reflect GLNY customs, rules, and ritual. We welcome discussion about how these may differ in your jurisdiction.

 Can an open Ritual Book be used to provide cues when the Lodge is at Labor?

In the Grand Lodge of New York,

No, this is expressly discountenanced. What can be used to provide cues is a Monitor, which is a special book that includes only the exoteric—which is to say neither secret nor exoteric/private—portions of the Ritual. The Grand Lodge of New York hasn’t had a true Monitor for around thirty-five years, but the Custodians of the Work have one prepared for publication that only awaits approval of some minor adjustments to some of the public ceremonies.

What is the Master’s Work? How should a Brother be acknowledged when performing part of the Ritual?

In the Grand Lodge of New York,

The Master’s work consists of every part of the Ritual that is clearly designated for the Master as well as parts that are customarily delegated to another Brother, such as the Apron Presentation, the Working Tools, the questions in the Lecture of Forms and Ceremonies and the Lecture of Reasons, the Entered Apprentice and Master Mason Historical Lectures, and the Charges. A Brother to whom a portion of the Master’s Work has been delegated is the Worshipful Master at the time of his delivery for purposes of the Ritual. He should neither be announced by the East, nor salute nor acknowledge the East either before or after performing such Work.

What parts of the Ritual can be read from a printed text?

Only the Prayers and Scripture Lessons, the Opening and Closing Charges, the Masonic Doxology and Pleyel’s Hymn, the Narrator’s part and Roll Call in the Drama of the Hiramic Legend, the Ceremony of Installation, the Memorial Service and the Committal Service may be delivered with the aid of printed texts. All other parts of the Ritual are to be delivered from memory.

When closing the Great Light In Masonry, is there a particular way we should arrange the Square and Compasses on the cover of the Holy Bible?

No, there is not. In fact, it is not required that they be placed on the Holy Bible once it is closed, or even on the Altar. The Senior Deacon could pocket the Square and Compasses if that seems like a good idea.