Masonic ritual – Communicating the Password

Masonic ritual – Communicating the Password

Apr 11, 2023 | Masonic Ritual

MASONIC RITUAL

Communicating the Password

MASONIC RITUAL EXPLAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CUSTODIANS OF THE WORK

Why do the Deacons come to the Sign of Fidelity before communicating the word/password to the Master?

Although the Deacons are acting under direction of the Senior Warden, they still need the Master’s permission to ascend his station in the East. It is therefore necessary that they pause and come to the Sign of Fidelity because they are addressing an officer of superior rank. Even though these communications between the Master and the Deacons are silent, they still occur.

Response provided by RW Samuel Lloyd Kinsey
Chairman, Custodians of the Work, Grand Lodge of New York

Note: This site is an excellent source of information about Freemasonry. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information about Masonic Ritual, please remember that a website is not a substitute for your jurisdiction’s Standard Work or Approved Ritual.
Masonic Etiquette – Saluting the Altar

Masonic Etiquette – Saluting the Altar

Apr 4, 2023 | Masonic Etiquette, Masonic Ritual

MASONIC RITUAL

Saluting the AltAr

MASONIC RITUAL EXPLAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CUSTODIANS OF THE WORK

Why don’t candidates salute at the altar when re-entering for the Middle Chamber Lecture and Raising?

The physical rooms in which we hold our meetings represent various things for Masons. Most often they represent the “Symbolic Lodge” that is invoked when we perform the Ritual of Opening, and we are taught to salute the Master on entering or retiring from that Symbolic Lodge. But sometimes those same rooms represent something else for us. For the Middle Chamber Lecture and the Raising the room represents the grounds of King Solomon’s Temple rather than a Symbolic Lodge, and as a result the candidates do not salute when they enter.

Response provided by RW Samuel Lloyd Kinsey
Chairman, Custodians of the Work, Grand Lodge of New York

Note: This site is an excellent source of information about Freemasonry. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information about Masonic Ritual, please remember that a website is not a substitute for your jurisdiction’s Standard Work or Approved Ritual.
Masonic Ritual – Displaying the Great Light

Masonic Ritual – Displaying the Great Light

Mar 28, 2023 | Masonic Ritual

MASONIC Ritual

Displaying the Great Light

MASONIC RITUAL EXPLAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CUSTODIANS OF THE WORK

What is the significance of opening the Bible to a different page for each Degree? What pages should be used for alternative sacred scriptures?

There is no particular symbolic meaning associated with opening the Bible to the scripture lesson of the Degree in which the Lodge is working. Indeed, plenty of Masonic Ritual workings do not include this practice. We do this in New York for entirely practical purposes: The Chaplain stands at the west side of the Altar facing East when he delivers the scripture lessons in the various Degree Rituals, which makes it possible for him to read the scripture lesson directly from the open Bible in front of him. Because this practical advantage cannot be obtained from alternative sacred scriptures, they may be opened to any page the Lodge or candidate chooses.

Response provided by RW Samuel Lloyd Kinsey
Chairman, Custodians of the Work, Grand Lodge of New York

Note: This site is an excellent source of information about Freemasonry. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information about Masonic Ritual, please remember that a website is not a substitute for your jurisdiction’s Standard Work or Approved Ritual.
Masonic Ritual – Escorting Masonic Dignitaries

Masonic Ritual – Escorting Masonic Dignitaries

Mar 21, 2023 | Masonic Ritual

MASONIC Ritual

ESCORTING MASONIC DIGNITARIES

MASONIC RITUAL EXPLAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CUSTODIANS OF THE WORK

Why are Masonic dignitaries and other Brothers escorted to the East along the north side of the Lodge?

When a Brother ascends the East to be recognized by the Master or to give a presentation, he is normally positioned at the Master’s right hand—which is to say, north of the Master. If a Brother were to ascend the East on the south side and subsequently move to traditional place at the Master’s right hand, this would necessitate “crossing the East” which is deprecated in our Masonic tradition. In addition, those who are escorted to the East are usually dignitaries of one kind or another, and the “near East” along the north sideline represents the second most honored area of seating once the East has filled up. So we may also think of the north as the “side of honor” in this respect.

Sounds a little better than “place of darkness,” right?

Response provided by RW Samuel Lloyd Kinsey
Chairman, Custodians of the Work, Grand Lodge of New York

Note: This site is an excellent source of information about Freemasonry. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information about Masonic Ritual, please remember that a website is not a substitute for your jurisdiction’s Standard Work or Approved Ritual.
Masonic ritual – Empty Warden Chair

Masonic ritual – Empty Warden Chair

Mar 14, 2023 | Masonic Etiquette, Masonic Ritual

MASONIC RITUAL

Empty Warden’s Chair

MASONIC RITUAL EXPLAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CUSTODIANS OF THE WORK

If a Warden momentarily vacates his chair, should another member be directed to occupy that station in his absence?

There is no requirement under our system of Masonry that the stations of the Lodge be occupied when the officer ordinarily seated there is elsewhere about the Lodge, or indeed should he be without the Lodge for a short period. The time to seat another Brother in a Warden’s empty station is when the office of that station has something to do.

Response provided by RW Samuel Lloyd Kinsey
Chairman, Custodians of the Work, Grand Lodge of New York

Note: This site is an excellent source of information about Freemasonry. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information about Masonic Ritual, please remember that a website is not a substitute for your jurisdiction’s Standard Work or Approved Ritual.