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Scottish Rite and the 33°

sudo

Registered User
After one starts down the path of the Scottish Rite, and attains the 32°, how does that person get elected to the 33°?
I've heard you must be a Master Mason in very good standing, but is that all it really takes if the individual accepts what comes with this new ranking, and is motivated to learn more?

I've heard very few can get this rank, but I really have no idea.
 

MarkR

Premium Member
In my Scottish Rite Valley, the existing 33rds are each asked to submit a list of who they think should receive the degree, with a brief statement of why. This is then winnowed down to three or four, in order of preference (we're a small valley, so we usually only get one new 33° every two years.) This list is submitted to the SGIG, who makes the final decision of who to nominate to the Supreme Council.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
In some ASSR SJ Valleys, there is an advisory committee which submit suggestions to the SGIG or Deputy. Personal Reps have more responsibility in others.
Service to the craft, the AASR, other Rites, and public service may all be considered.
 

HoldenMonty

Registered User
I haven't done anything with the scottish rite but have heard that the 33rd degree is an honorary degree and very few people receive it and you only get it by being nominated but have to have spent a long time in service to the craft to receive it. I know a 33rd degree scotish rite mason and he told me not to think on it to hard. But he's a very humble, and great man.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
I haven't done anything with the scottish rite but have heard that the 33rd degree is an honorary degree and very few people receive it and you only get it by being nominated but have to have spent a long time in service to the craft to receive it. I know a 33rd degree scotish rite mason and he told me not to think on it to hard. But he's a very humble, and great man.
Just to clarify, while the degree is bestowed as an honor, it is a substantive degree.
 

David612

Registered User
I think the point here is that we shouldn’t get hung up on it as the degree is not something everyone will have the chance to see, im sure the degree is beautiful and very powerful as are all the degrees in our craft, however it sounds as though a mason must have a lifetime of good works behind them as well as no small amount of luck and a reputation that precedes him.
It’s not the degree itself but rather the reasons for the degree
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
I think the point here is that we shouldn’t get hung up on it as the degree is not something everyone will have the chance to see, im sure the degree is beautiful and very powerful as are all the degrees in our craft, however it sounds as though a mason must have a lifetime of good works behind them as well as no small amount of luck and a reputation that precedes him.
It’s not the degree itself but rather the reasons for the degree
I’ve seen it conferred after nine years.
 

David612

Registered User
I’ve seen it conferred after nine years.
Interesting indeed, that’s something I’d like to hear more about, who is the brother and what are his works?
Amazing to think in time passed there where (my well still be) places where EA to FC was a 7 year journey, from what I have read.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
He means that while it is an honor to receive the degree is actually conferred and there is a story to it. Also the title of Inspector General is an honorary title as they are not voting members of the SC

Sent from my SM-G386T using My Freemasonry mobile app
Almost. It is not an honorary title, either, the point I was poorly trying to make earlier. The name of the degree is IGH. Correct that holders may only attend but not vote in SC sessions.
 
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