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Past Masters degree

Bro. Landry

Registered User
Since being elected WM, I received the Past Master’s degree. Is this degree part of the York Rite?


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hanzosbm

Premium Member
Eh...sorta.

There is a Past Master degree in the York Rite. At one time, you had to be a Past Master to progress, so the YR introduced a Past Master degree to get everyone up to speed without having to actually spend the time in the East.
You received the ACTUAL Past Master degree, but that doesn't mean that you're a member of YR. As to how similar the two degrees are, well...you'd either have to go through both or find someone who has who is willing to tell you.
 

Bro. Landry

Registered User
First part I knew but the second part was what I really wanted to know thank you


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Bloke

Premium Member
Eh...sorta.

There is a Past Master degree in the York Rite. At one time, you had to be a Past Master to progress, so the YR introduced a Past Master degree to get everyone up to speed without having to actually spend the time in the East.
You received the ACTUAL Past Master degree, but that doesn't mean that you're a member of YR. As to how similar the two degrees are, well...you'd either have to go through both or find someone who has who is willing to tell you.
Would the phrase not be "virtual past master" ?
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Since being elected WM, I received the Past Master’s degree. Is this degree part of the York Rite?


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That's interesting.

We (Craft) have rules about discussing the "Master's Degree" (as in WM) so I can't be too transparent with you.

We have an "Installed Board of Masters" who eject all below MM and conduct a ceremony with the man being installed as Master of the Lodge. However, this is never referred to as a "Master's Degree" or "Past Masters Degree" - but an Installation.

You mentioned you were WME - did you get this "Degree" when you became WM or before - and does your Const actually call it a "Degree" or is that a term you're using having looked at the YR tree of degrees ?

Thanks -always looking for more light ! :)
 

Bro. Landry

Registered User
I know you can’t speak too much, but does your installation have the things you would receive when getting a degree?


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Canadian Paul

Registered User
Here at an Installation the Lodge is Passed and Raised and, all (except the Master-Elect) who are not Installed Masters (ie Past Masters or Reigning Masters) leave, and a "Board of Installed Masters" is opened, where the Master receives certain signs, tokens and words reserved to Installed Masters.

This is not considered a seperate 'degree' by the GL of Scotland. Visiting Reigning or Past Masters from jurisdictions which do not have such a ceremony and who would therefore not know the 'secrets' attached to it ARE permitted to remain during the ceremony.

While I cannot discuss the details of the ceremony I will say that a certain part of it remains the most vivid memory I have of my own Installation as Master of my lodge.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Here at an Installation the Lodge is Passed and Raised and, all (except the Master-Elect) who are not Installed Masters (ie Past Masters or Reigning Masters) leave, and a "Board of Installed Masters" is opened, where the Master receives certain signs, tokens and words reserved to Installed Masters.
Its done the same way in Kentucky.
While I cannot discuss the details of the ceremony I will say that a certain part of it remains the most vivid memory I have of my own Installation as Master of my lodge.
Agreed!
 

Keith C

Registered User
Here in PA it is called "receiving the "Word of the Chair" and is the final part of the installation of a WM. The MM Lodge is closed after the installation of officers (if it was not an open installation) and all who do not possess the "Word of the Chair" are dismissed, then something happens! If all goes according to plan I will find out what in December of 2019, and still won't be able to tell you any more than I have!

As far as York Rite is concerned, there is NO 5th degree, (Past Master or Virtual Past Master) in Chapter in PA. As the York Rite bodies are under direct control of the Grand Lodge of PA, and The Grand Lodge reserves that to the Blue Lodge.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Here in PA it is called "receiving the "Word of the Chair" and is the final part of the installation of a WM.
Here in Kentucky the Degree of Actual Past Master is not required to sit in the East. Only if you decide to join The Society of Past Masters of Kentucky do you go through this degree.
 

Bro. Landry

Registered User
Here in PA it is called "receiving the "Word of the Chair" and is the final part of the installation of a WM. The MM Lodge is closed after the installation of officers (if it was not an open installation) and all who do not possess the "Word of the Chair" are dismissed, then something happens! If all goes according to plan I will find out what in December of 2019, and still won't be able to tell you any more than I have!

As far as York Rite is concerned, there is NO 5th degree, (Past Master or Virtual Past Master) in Chapter in PA. As the York Rite bodies are under direct control of the Grand Lodge of PA, and The Grand Lodge reserves that to the Blue Lodge.

You’ll enjoy it!


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Companion Joe

Premium Member
In Tennessee, we have the Virtual Past Master degree conferred in the Chapter. If you join one of the Past Masters Associations, an almost identical degree is conferred along with a three others. The three others are (I consider) fun degrees designed to teach newly installed WMs humility and to trust the advice of those who have sat in the chair before you.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
In Tennessee, we have the Virtual Past Master degree conferred in the Chapter. If you join one of the Past Masters Associations, an almost identical degree is conferred along with a three others. The three others are (I consider) fun degrees designed to teach newly installed WMs humility and to trust the advice of those who have sat in the chair before you.
Are you going to be at the UGIC meetings in Memphis?
 

Companion Joe

Premium Member
Are you going to be at the UGIC meetings in Memphis?
No, I hate not to, and I'd like to be there to support Joe Harrison, but Memphis is about 8 hours from where I live. I have to be in West Tennessee later this year for Grand Chapter meetings, and I don't want to make that drive twice in one year. It's crazy, but I can drive to Windsor, Canada or Jacksonville, Fla. quicker than I can a city in my own state. I think some of the guys from my conclave are going.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
In New Jersey, the master masons are kicked out of one of the last meetings of the masonic year and a lodge of past masters is opened. The Master Elect is invested with the modes of recognition for Past Master. We call it "Qualifications."

The funny thing is, he cannot witness another Qualification until he is installed as Worshipful Master even though he has seen the degree.

Another fun fact for NJ. You are a Past Master the moment your butt hits the chair during your installation.
 
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