Saint Vrain Masonic Lodge #23 A.F & A.M. Longmont Colorado

Saint Vrain Masonic Lodge #23

Aug 05 2017

Why is Freemasonry a Ritual Practice?

What makes something a “ritual?” Is it an evil connotation? Is it something sinister? Why then is Freemasonry considered a ritual practice? How could something so full of moral virtues practice something ritualistic?

The use of the word ritual is described as the regular practice of the same series of ceremonies at each meeting.

Often there is a connotation of something sinister or counter to popular practice by the use of the term ritual.

To the contrary, it is instead meant to imply that the degree rituals are an established or prescribed practice to convey the knowledge and symbolism of the Fraternity in a repetition to impart their teachings.

What this means is that the same ritual ceremony is practiced with each candidate to induct him into the fraternity so that each man undergoes the same experience creating a unifying shared experience. That practice imparts the three principal tenets of the fraternity which are Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

More in the series:

What is Freemasonry? – Part 1: What is a Freemason?
What is Freemasonry? – Part 2: How Old is Freemasonry?
What is Freemasonry? – Part 3: Why are Freemason’s Secretive?
What is Freemasonry? – Part 4: Is Freemasonry a Patriotic Body?
What is Freemasonry? – Part 5: Why Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth?
What is Freemasonry? – Part 6: Why is Freemasonry a Ritual Practice?
What is Freemasonry? – Part 7: Why Does Freemasonry Use Odd Symbols?

From the ebook: What is Freemasonry?

 

Written by Greg Stewart · Categorized: General, News · Tagged: catechism, Education, Featured, Freemasonry, Masonic Education, Ritual, Symbolism, Video

Mar 26 2016

Esoteric Freemasonry

In this edition of Symbols and Symbolism, we look at a reading from Albert G. Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry on the subject of Esoteric Masonry.

More installments of Symbols & Symbolism are available here and on YouTube.

That secret portion of Masonry which is known only to the initiates as distinguished from exoteric Masonry, or monitorial, which is accessible to all who choose to read the manuals and published works of the Order. The words are from the Greek, εσωτερικός, internal, and εξωτερική, external, and were first used by Pythagoras, whose philosophy was divided into the exoteric, or that taught to all, and the esoteric, or that taught to a select few; and thus his disciples were divided into two classes, according to the degree of initiation to which the had attained, as being either fully admitted into the society, and invested with all the knowledge that the Master could communicate or as merely postulants, enjoying only the public instructions of the school, and awaiting the gradual reception of further knowledge. This double mode of instruction was borrowed by Pythagoras from the Egyptian priests, whose theology was of two kinds-the one exoteric, and addressed to the people in general; the other esoteric, and confined to a select number of the priests and to those who possessed, or were to possess, the regal power. And the mystical nature of this concealed doctrine was expressed in their symbolic language by the images of sphinxes placed at the entrance of their temples. Two centuries later, Aristotle adopted the system of Pythagoras, and, in the Lyceum at Athens, delivered in the morning to his select disciples his subtle and concealed doctrines concerning God Nature, and Life, and in the evening lectured on more elementary subjects to a promiscuous audience. These different lectures he called his Morning and his Evening Walk.

Written by Greg Stewart · Categorized: News · Tagged: Education, Egypt, esoteric, Featured, Freemasonry, mysticism, Occult, Pythagoras, Symbolism, Video

Aug 13 2009

Colorado Teacher Of The Year

Beginning in 1998, the Grand Lodge with the assistance of the Public Schools Committee has honored the Colorado Teacher of the Year. Since 1963 the Colorado State Board of Education (Board) and the Colorado Department of Education (Department) have selected one teacher to represent all Colorado teachers as the Colorado Teacher of the Year.

Beginning in 1998, a Mason and member of the Public Schools Committee, has sat on the Teacher of the Year Selection Committee along with educators and other education professionals. In addition to participation in the selection process, the Grand Lodge awards a $2,500 grant to the Colorado Teacher of the Year to help defray expenses associated with travel and work in conjunction with this office. No funding is provided by the State to support the teacher’s work as Teacher of the Year.
[Read more…]

Written by Longmont Masons · Categorized: Teachers · Tagged: Colorado Masons, Education

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