The Mutual Duty to Maintain Fraternal Ties

The Mutual Duty to Maintain Fraternal Ties

Oct 2, 2025 | Ask The Custodians of The Work, Masonic Education, Masonic Ritual

MASONIC RITUAL

The Mutual Duty to Maintain Fraternal Ties

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

“Do we have a duty to maintain Fraternal Ties with a Brother who no longer regularly attends Lodge Meetings or Masonic events?”

Freemasonry offers extraordinary opportunities to form and nourish the bonds of union and friendship. Yet sometimes a Brother who has not attended regularly for some period of time will feel as though the members have forgotten about him. His phone isn’t ringing like it once did, he’s no longer recruited to every impromptu gathering, and there may be any number of new Lodge members he doesn’t know particularly well. This can result in feelings of abandonment or even resentment. And yet, when he does find the time to attend a meeting or other event, he’s greeted as warmly as ever by the Brothers who know him, and they all say they wish to see him more frequently in Lodge.

The reason for this phenomenon is that the friendship was formed in the context of attending and participating in Lodge meetings and activities. These events create regular opportunities for the Brethren to come together with a common purpose that nourishes and sustains the relationships thus formed which, in turn, gives rise to occasions for the Brethren to come together outside of Lodge events. This is not dissimilar from friendships formed in a place of employment.

However, while this kind of institutionalized proximity can be helpful in forming and sustaining a friendship, it can make it difficult to maintain the same closeness when that external factor goes away. It’s not uncommon, for example, to fall out of touch with work friends after moving to a job at a different employer. It’s not that you’re not friends any more. It’s just that a kind of glue that held the relationship tightly together has gone away. Not every work friendship, regardless of how close, can survive that loss and remain the same.

But work is work. We want more out of the Fraternity. We expect our Masonic friendships to follow us all the way from Initiation to the grave. So what is to be done? And where does the responsibility lie? How can the relationship be restored to its former closeness? The answer is, with a reapplication of glue.

A Brother whose attendance and participation have waned should make a concerted effort to reengage with his Lodge. Perhaps circumstances have changed and he’s not able to be present as frequently as he once was. That’s okay. Once a month, or even every other month, can be enough to reenergize old friendships and form new ones. This is how community is created. Just as a lapsed work friendship can resume undiminished when a former colleague joins you at your present employer, you may be surprised at how quickly and easily a closeness with your Lodge and its Brethren can be reestablished simply by resuming participation.

The Lodge as well has its own responsibility with respect to the relationships formed within and among its Brethren. The members need to have a reason to attend Lodge meetings and activities other than loyalty, so intrinsic quality must be high. Moreover, both the Lodge as an institution and the members as individual Masons should work to stay in communication with those whose activities or circumstances have reduced their regular presence, and to encourage their return.

Both parties should recognize that when one Brother contacts another to solicit his participation in the life and works of their Lodge, he is saying, “I love you. I miss you. I want our closeness back.” With constancy and fidelity in our friendships, let us together discover the beneficial and happy effects of our ancient and honorable institution.

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.
Samuel Lloyd Kinsey

Remember the Trowel

Remember the Trowel

Sep 7, 2025 | Editorial, Masonic Education

EDITORIAL

Remember the Trowel

Living by our virtues
in all spaces

I remember during COVID, when there was a wave of disharmony within the Craft. Brothers were publicly fighting with each other over social media posts, split over politics and opinions. It was disappointing to watch men who had knelt at the same altar turn on each other with such hostility.

I posted something at the time to remind our Brethren that this isn’t how we’re supposed to behave. We took obligations. We made promises. But some replied, saying I was infringing on their freedom of speech.
My personal opinion in reply?

We gave up a portion of our Freedom of Speech when we took our obligations. We promised to guard our words, to speak as gentlemen, and to conduct ourselves with dignity, especially with one another. That doesn’t mean we become silent or passive. It means we temper our speech with wisdom, love, and restraint. And let’s be honest: I’ve never once heard someone say, “I just changed the political party I’ve supported my whole life because of a Facebook post some guy shared.” You’ll never hear that, because it doesn’t happen. Venting online may feel good in the moment, but it changes nothing and it damages the reputation of the Fraternity we all claim to love.

In the Grand Lodge Library and Museum, I’m surrounded by reminders of how Masons conducted themselves in far more turbulent times during actual wars, when Brothers literally stood on opposite sides of a battlefield. There are documented cases from the American Civil War where Union and Confederate soldiers, both Masons, showed mercy and kindness to one another in the midst of unimaginable violence. One often-shared example is that of Union Captain William Crossland, who risked his life to bring aid to a wounded Confederate officer after recognizing a Masonic sign of distress.¹ Another deeply moving account is that of Confederate General Lewis Armistead, mortally wounded during Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg. As he lay dying, he entrusted his personal effects to Union Captain Henry Bingham, also a Mason, asking him to deliver them to Union General Hancock—a fellow Mason and Armistead’s dear friend on the opposing side.²

Image: Lewis Addison Armistead (February 18, 1817 – July 5, 1863) 

 

Even in the chaos of the First World War, during the unofficial “Christmas Truce” of 1914, there are stories preserved in veteran memoirs and Masonic oral tradition of German and British Masons recognizing one another and meeting peacefully between trenches, exchanging small gifts and honoring the dead together, if only for a moment.³ These men fought for their countries, yes. But they still treated one another as Brothers. They knew the difference between civil duty and sacred fellowship. They didn’t confuse the two.

So if you feel strongly about an issue, write books, write articles, contact your Congressperson, or organize a peaceful protest. Engage in the world. But be careful not to associate those efforts with the Fraternity. Freemasonry isn’t your platform for politics or personal frustration. It’s something higher. Something older. Something sacred.
Expressing lower emotions on social media doesn’t help your cause. It just hurts the Brotherhood. If you want to post, do it with love. Do it with dignity. Promote the good. Promoting the negative never serves anyone.

Remember the Trowel. Use it not to attack or divide, but to spread the cement of Brotherly Love and affection. We are builders. Let’s act like it.

Footnotes:
¹ Harvey, William. Masonic Stories and Sketches. T.M. Sparks, 1911. Retold in The Builder magazine and various Grand Lodge lectures.
² McMillan, Tom. Armistead and Hancock: Behind the Gettysburg Legend of Two Friends at the Turning Point of the Civil War. Stackpole Books, 2021. Also discussed in: Roberts, Allen E. Freemasonry in American History. Macoy Publishing, 1985, pp. 130–132.
³ Brown, Malcolm. The Christmas Truce: The Western Front, December 1914. Pan Macmillan, 2003. Supplemented by anecdotal mentions in The Craft and Its Symbols by Allen E. Roberts and UGLE wartime archives.
Written by:
RW Michael LaRocco

Executive Director, The Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York

VW Michael LaRocco

Camino de Santiago

Camino de Santiago

Aug 3, 2025 | Editorial, Masonic Education, Masonic Travel

MASONIC TRAVEL

Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage

An 86-Day physical and spiritual journey

Last summer, I walked from Paris to Spain—an 86-day, 1,500-mile pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago. It was a journey that tested my body, quieted my mind, and, most of all, stripped me down to my truest self. The inspiration came from a meeting in 2022 with a Brother in Paris, introduced through another Brother from my Lodge. Through ancient towns, forest paths, and long, blistering hot days, I learned what it truly meant to divest myself—a phrase that became the quiet theme of my journey.

The first way I had to divest was physical. I began at Notre-Dame Cathedral with a pack prepped like a Marine, for survival—extra socks, soap, a first aid kit, and everything I thought was essential. On Day 2, I arrived at the home of Brother Gerald, who had told me about the Camino. He helped me pare everything down to the true essentials though I stubbornly kept a few things; his guidance spared me unnecessary suffering. Letting go here made the journey lighter and prevented injuries down the road.

As the pack lightened, so did my mental weight. Ordinary life is noisy—work stress, family concerns, bills. But on the Camino, all I had to do was wake up and walk. Whether five miles or thirty, I only needed to move forward. I stopped worrying about where I would sleep or eat. The present moment was all that mattered—the song of a bird, the view, and the kindness of strangers.

As I let go, the voice of my good Brother and Guide echoed in my head saying, “You have five senses—use them all!” So I began noticing more: the taste of fruit picked straight from the branch, the breeze atop a hill, the smell of water in the air. Churches bore the wear of millions of pilgrims who had gone this way before me. Walking Roman roads or sleeping in a home built in the 1200s reminded me I was part of a much older story. At many cathedrals I saw the carved marks of stonemasons on the walls—silent signatures from master builders whose names are lost to time, but whose strict adherence to their duty has survived the lapse of time.

At the two-week mark, I arrived in Vézelay on the eve of the summer solstice. I hadn’t planned to stay, but fellow pilgrims convinced me. Although it didn’t fit my timeline, I’m glad they did. Inside the Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, I watched a line of sunlight stretch perfectly down the nave to the apse—an architectural alignment designed centuries ago to mark this sacred season. Later that evening, I sat in silence as monks and sisters sang Vespers. Their voices echoed off the stone walls, stirring something deep in me. That day became my only rest day until Santiago, and it changed everything.

 

Yet at the halfway mark, I confronted some of the most difficult weight to divest. As I adjusted physically, I began to confront emotional weight—grudges, regrets, and old self-judgments. Long, solitary miles gave space to reflect. Sometimes I cried. Other times I stopped to pray or light candles for people I hadn’t spoken to in years. I even made a few overdue phone calls. By the time I reached Santiago, I had let go of so much anger, hurt, and criticism I’d carried for years—not just toward others, but toward myself.

The Camino also restored my faith in humanity. I started the journey alone, not knowing the language and unsure of the path ahead. But I was never truly alone. I was surrounded by amazing people, some who shared the road with me, some who are waypoints in my memory along the way. A woman once gave me and another pilgrim water and strawberries, though she had little to spare. Another couple gave us coffee and biscuits in their front yard, postponing their plans just to help. Countless “bon chemin” and “buen camino” wishes lifted my spirit every day. The generosity and goodness I saw along the way left a deep mark.

After 82 days, I reached Santiago de Compostela—grateful, humbled, and, remarkably, without a single blister. My Guide’s advice on foot care had served me well from afar. I was exhausted and unshaven, but my heart was full. I arrived at the Plaza do Obradoiro—the grand square before the cathedral—side by side with an incredible group of pilgrims I had met along the way. Over the next two days, I returned to that square often, especially in the quiet early mornings, just to watch others arrive. That became my favorite part of Santiago: witnessing their tears, embraces, quiet prayers, and shouts of joy. Each arrival was a testament to transformation, a reminder that every pilgrim’s path is personal, but the destination speaks to all of us.

 

In the end, the Camino is not just a trail across a continent. It’s a path carved through the heart. It teaches you how to carry less, worry less, and love more. It teaches you how to divest yourself of everything that keeps you from becoming who you truly are.

But I wasn’t done. Along the Camino, the idea of divesting myself took on deeper, more symbolic meaning. With each step, I wasn’t just shedding physical weight or mental clutter—I was undergoing a kind of death. A slow, deliberate release of the person who had first stepped out of Paris. What remained, day by day, mile by mile, was a quieter, simpler, more honest version of myself. By the time I arrived in Santiago, that earlier self was gone. In their place stood the pilgrim—stripped down, transformed.

This symbolism came into full focus after a single day of rest in Santiago, when I continued walking west to the coast and arrived at Fisterra—Finis Terrae, the “end of the earth.” To the ancients, this place marked the edge of the known world. Today, many pilgrims see it as the true spiritual conclusion of the Camino. That evening, after dipping in the waters of the Costa da Morte, I climbed the hill and sat by the lighthouse at Cape Finisterre with fellow pilgrims I’d come to know, drinking wine and smoking a cigar, as the sun disappeared into the Atlantic. The sunset felt like a symbolic death—the final surrender of who I had been. Near the cliffs stood a stone marker etched with “0.000 km”—the end of the road. I’d heard stories that it was tradition to enter the waters there as a symbolic act of dying to the old self and emerging renewed with the dawn.

The next day, I walked the 17 miles north to Muxía, another sacred coastal village. There, at a second 0.000 km marker—this one carved with an arrow pointing back down the road I’d just walked up—I felt something shift. If Fisterra marked the end, Muxía marked the beginning. The pilgrimage was not over. It had simply changed. A new path was opening: the rest of my life. I guess there’s only one way left to go—”ultreia et suseia“, onward and upward.

Written by: W:. Ricardo Rosado
WB Rosado is the current Master (2025-2026) of Allied Lodge No. 1170, 1st Masonic District of the Grand Lodge of New York.
Samuel Lloyd Kinsey

Mastering Your Trestleboard

Mastering Your Trestleboard

Jul 31, 2025 | Craftsmen Online Podcast, Masonic Education

CRAFTSMEN ONLINE PODCAST

Mastering Your Trestleboard

with WBs Ed Freeman, Jesse Oullette, and Derek Rivas

On this episode of the Craftsman Online Podcast, host RWB Michael Arce welcomed three Worshipful Masters: Ed Freeman (Hiram Takoma Lodge No. 10), Jesse A. Ouellette (William R. Singleton Hope Lebanon Lodge No. 7), and Derek Rivas (Justice Columbia Lodge No. 3). This marked the first time the podcast featured three guests simultaneously. The discussion centered on strategic planning and leadership within Freemasonry, offering unique insights from each master’s experience.

A core theme of the episode was the importance of early and comprehensive planning for a successful Masonic year. Worshipful Brother Rivas revealed he began planning his “trestleboard” (a strategic plan) as a Junior Steward, looking seven years ahead. He emphasized that this plan, which Justice Columbia Lodge now develops every three years, is a “living document” that adapts to the lodge’s needs and ensures continuity for future leaders. Worshipful Brother Freeman similarly started his planning as a Senior Warden, drawing inspiration from visits to other lodges and conversations with past and sitting masters. Worshipful Brother Ouellette, driven by a “perpetual fear… of failure due to lack of planning,” began mapping out his year in April 2024, nearly a year in advance. He highlighted the importance of defining an “end state” and reverse-engineering the plan, identifying leaders, and involving them as committee chairs.

The Worshipful Masters also shared their perspectives on what constitutes a “win” in their roles. Worshipful Brother Ouellette defines a win as having visiting brothers express strong appreciation for a program, with some even wanting to affiliate with the lodge. For Worshipful Brother Freeman, a significant success has been the return of absent members to Hiram Takoma Lodge, spurred by a “call log” initiative where every brother was contacted. He recounted a particularly touching instance where a brother returned and brought his father, both of whom have been consistently attending since. Worshipful Brother Rivas emphasized that a true win is about “collective growth,” where brothers feel heard, valued, and find their voice within the lodge, leading to a natural desire to participate.

The conversation also touched on balancing tradition with innovation. Worshipful Brother Rivas noted that while core traditions and rituals must be preserved, the lodge’s culture should allow for new ideas. He cited the example of incorporating a “Gerald Ford Table Lodge” and a trip to the Smithsonian Planetarium alongside traditional events. Worshipful Brother Freeman highlighted Hiram Tacoma’s history as a “festive lodge” and his efforts to restore that balance between education and fun, including innovative programs like a rum-tasting event that fostered personal connections.

“My best advice and recommendation to every future master and any sitting master that hasn’t done this, speak with your junior warden, speak with your senior warden, plan three years ahead of what our junior warden is gonna look like when he’s sitting in the East and have that momentum keep pushing forward to drive success for the lodge,” advised Worshipful Brother Derek Rivas. Worshipful Brother Jesse A. Ouellette added, “What defines what leadership is in masonry is how we take the Masonic values that we’re taught in this society of ours and we spread it throughout the community”. And Worshipful Brother Ed Freeman underscored the importance of inter-lodge support: “Unlike previous years, in a recent memory that I remember, the 2025 sitting Worshipful Masters across this jurisdiction (Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia) have made a concerted effort to support one another”.

Follow the Craftsmen Online Podcast on Spotify, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, and listen everywhere you hear your favorite shows!

The Craftsmen Online Podcast is the only Masonic podcast endorsed by the Grand Lodge of New York. Hosted by RWB Michael Arce. New episodes available every Monday morning!

Listen early and ad free on Patreon. Start your free 7-day trial and listen to our entire back catalog and bonus content!

Samuel Lloyd Kinsey

Beyond the Quarry – Unpacking the Defense of the Ruffians

Beyond the Quarry – Unpacking the Defense of the Ruffians

Jul 14, 2025 | Craftsmen Online Podcast, Masonic Education

CRAFTSMEN ONLINE PODCAST

Beyond the Quarry: Unpacking the “Defense of the Ruffians”

with RW Don Gorham

On this episode of the Craftsman Online Podcast, host RWB Michael Arce sits down with RWB Don Gorham, Grand Tiler of the Grand Lodge of New York, to discuss “The Defense of the Ruffians“, a thought-provoking one-act play by Bro. Thomas B. Davis. This discussion offers a unique perspective on the motivations of the “ruffians” in Masonic lore, moving beyond traditional interpretations to explore deeper psychological and moral dimensions.

Bro. Gorham, a close friend and Brother, shared his long-standing interest in the play. His journey with the play began through a fellow Brother, Major West, in his district, the Noble 9th Manhattan. The play, while not canonical Masonic ritual, offers an “interesting look into the background of especially Jubalum.”

Bro. Arce highlighted that the play is not part of standard Masonic work or ritual, making it openly discussable without revealing any secrets. Instead, it enriches the understanding of the Hiramic Legend by exploring the inner world of Jubalum, particularly his internal dialogue with his conscience. Bro. Gorham finds this conversation “actually really familiar,” drawing parallels to his own daily introspection and personal growth. He sees Jubalum not just as a villain, but as an “exemplar of a person” we can find commonality in the ongoing work of self-improvement, even outside of Masonry.

The conversation also touches upon the broader implications of the play, particularly the concept of Justice. Bro. Gorham introduces two types: “distributive justice,” which Jubalum sought in terms of opportunity and reward, and “retributive justice,” the punishment for his wrongdoing. This dichotomy, he explains, “rings true in this play,” highlighting the tragic clash between perceived entitlement and deserved consequence.

Ultimately, “The Defense of the Ruffians” serves as a “cautionary tale” that delves into themes of perceived injustice, entitlement, and the consequences of unearned gain. Bro. Gorham encourages a deeper look into the play, suggesting it can inspire “a deeper look within our ritual and ourselves.” He believes Jubalum’s inability to correct himself stems from his self-centeredness and a lack of belief in anything beyond his own universe. This fascinating exploration of a non-canonical work provides a rich opportunity for Masons and non-Masons alike to ponder universal questions of morality, ambition, and the true meaning of deserving.

Follow the Craftsmen Online Podcast on Spotify, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, and listen everywhere you hear your favorite shows!

The Craftsmen Online Podcast is the only Masonic podcast endorsed by the Grand Lodge of New York. Hosted by RWB Michael Arce. New episodes available every Monday morning!

Listen early and ad free on Patreon. Start your free 7-day trial and listen to our entire back catalog and bonus content!

Samuel Lloyd Kinsey