Greetings my Brothers!

This is Eric Morabito, “The Walking Man,” checking back in on Fez Friday.

MuratTemple

The Murat Temple was chartered on June 4, 1884, and was the 17th Shrine Temple. Right from the start, the Indianapolis Shrine was noteworthy. While we don’t know why the name was chosen, the name was the first not to have Arabic origin. The founders chose the name of the son of an innkeeper in France who left theological studies at the outbreak of the French Revolution. His name was Joachim Murat (Mur-ah), and he became a general serving Napoleon in Italy and Egypt. He was proclaimed the king of Naples in 1808. Murat was executed by a firing squad after a failed attempt to regain control of Naples.

Murat’s tradition of service to humankind began in 1887. Yellow fever raced through Jacksonville, FL, and Murat nobles sent $100 to Morocco Temple to fight the deadly fever. In 1890, Murat sent monetary help to Kosair Temple in Louisville, KY, for flood relief. Murat also sent aid to the Johnstown, PA, flood victims. At the same time, the strong relationship Murat has with the Indianapolis Fire Department began by supporting the Indianapolis Fireman’s Fund. In 1983, Murat reached its highest membership, more than 23,000 nobles; parades and parading units were in grand and complete form; the Murat Shrine Circus was enjoying increasing attendance, theatre parties and travelogues were well-attended, and social events in the 70 Units and Clubs associated with Murat Temple were ubiquitous. There are rumors that the Murat temple is haunted. Several years ago, they were so persistent that a group of experts in the paranormal stayed all night in the temple to check those many reports. Footsteps, lights, conversations, and strange noises all had been reported. The most enduring moment revolves around the portrait of Potentate Jacoby. He has been seen several times with a tear in his eye. What possible meaning could this have? Some say he cries for the day the temple leased the theater and Egyptian Room. But that helped refurbish the grand old building and keep it alive even if it meant giving something up. Is it possible Jake cries for all of us Shriners on this day 125 years later? Does he know the challenges we face to find new members? Does he worry for the Children’s Hospitals? Let’s think of Jacoby’s tears as those of joy for all the good Murat has done and will do. The long line of men in their red Fezzes who have gone before are counting on us and the nobles yet to come. Jacoby is smiling through his tears of happiness. He knows Murat marches on in the grand parade of the Shrine.