Makes sense, I am going to look in to getting a plain white personal apron."Personal apron" doesn't have to mean "fancy." As I mentioned before, I prefer a plain white apron, but a NICE plain white apron. Luther has ones just like I was presented (leather, long cord ties with tassels), that will serve you both here and abroad. If you travel overseas you really need to have your own.
As for the "fancy" ones, I know we all have a painting of Brother George in a personalized apron somewhere in our lodge.
Funerals. At least at our lodge, we open the lodge, officers in regalia and others in white aprons, suspend business and then proceed to the church or funeral home, then return to the lodge and close. I have attended several funerals as an officer in full regalia. Otherwise, as you say, besides parades, or the laying of a cornerstone for a lodge or other public building, I can't imagine where else we'd appear in public in an apron or wearing an officer's jewel.Ive never attended a function outside of the lodge that would require me to wear an apron.
Do you mean parades? If so im guessing with permission of the Grand Lodge members will wear i guess the old worn out ones in the box by the tilers station. Unless your a PM os someone who purchased a personal one.
It is your apron. Wear to Lodge if you wish. The ones provided are for convenience, not a requirement.A lot of this sounds familiar. Local legend trumps real tradition.
In Ohio, we get our apron after the MM proficiency...well, at least at my lodge. I was presented my Bible after being raised (along with a few other goodies from my Brothers), but the apron was saved until last. It's a beautiful, white lambskin apron with long braided cords. Unfortunately, the next time I wear it, I'll be dead. Seems like a waste of money, considering I paid for the thing w/ the initiation fee.
I've considered bucking this tradition and wearing it to lodge, but I'm certain there would be at least a few heart attacks and possibly a revolt. I would much rather my apron be used and perhaps earn a few battle scars as evidence of my toils in the quarry, as opposed to just having a shiny white apron to be buried with. Some of the guys have PM aprons that they travel with, but everyone in my lodge just wears the crappy tyler's station aprons for meetings around here.
For me, it's not a matter of being better than anyone else or standing out. It's personal pride.
Depending on the lodge and jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions very much regulate the apron.There's nothing wrong with putting a little bit of flair or individuality into your own personal apron. We already put so much detail into our choice of rings and lapel pins, why not make our aprons interesting too!
Texas being one of those jurisdictions.Depending on the lodge and jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions very much regulate the apron.
Very interesting, brother!There are two jurisdictions here. The GL of Newfoundland and Labrador was formed in 1998 from all of the lodges formally under the UGLE and 5 under the GL of Scotland. Those formally under the UGLE wear aprons edged in light blue. Those formally under the GL of Scotland retain their 'Scottish' aprons, as do, of course the 11 lodges still holding of the GL of Scotland and forming the District Grand Lodge of NL. Scottish aprons are particularly distinct; they have semi-circular flaps, are worn inside the open jacket, and have edgings of a colour (or even a tartan) distinctive of the individual lodge. My Mother Lodge, and at least one other Scottish lodge here, has dark blue edging with gold fringe, several other lodges have red or claret edgings. Our District Grand Lodge Office-bearers, like our Grand Lodge in Scotland, wear aprons edged in 'thistle green' and a green sash or baldrick, from the right shoulder to the left hip. A Lodge meeting, especially an Installation, which would have Delegations from both the Scottish DGL and the GLNL, as well as brethren from various lodges under both jurisdictions, is a very 'colourful' occasion!
The custom in both jurisdictions is for EAs and FCs to use plain aprons belonging to the Lodge. MMs are expected to buy their own aprons, although lodges will have a few available for new MMs or visitors. Past Masters are expected to buy their own Past Masters' aprons. As a Past Master in Lodges under both jurisdictions I have 4 aprons; a MM apron for my Mother Lodge and one suitable for 'former English Lodges', and a Past Master's apron for each jurisdiction!
I shall try to post pictures of the different aprons I have mentioned. They may be of interest to some of you as I think what I have described above is a LITTLE different from the way things are done in some US jurisdictions!