How we do things

[Colby K]

I am a member of a military lodge in Italy that was set up for the Active duty military members that are stationed here for up to 3 years at a time. We are under the Italian grand lodge but follow the laws of the California GL. It's complicated . . . Anyway, the way we initiate, pass, and raise is a little more "hands on" than what is normal in the states from what I understand. When I was raised every member of the lodge had been raised in that lodge, or at least raised in a lodge that did things the same way. Now, due to brothers changing duty stations we have lost some brothers and gained some new brothers. The new brothers are from the states and very much dislike our ways claiming it might scare off candidates after the Initiation. The brothers that were raised here like our tradition, including myself. It is a rough and rugged road to the light but it insures those that make the journey are dedicated and their heart is in their travels. What are your thoughts? Let me say that while is may be more "hands on," it is nothing to fear. I don't want to give the wrong impression.

 

[chrmc]

Not knowing specifics makes it harder to comment, but I think the main thing I take from this is a break from hundreds of years of tradition, which I would say is a shame. Are you really allowed to change the ritual just because it is military people, and how much can it change before it has been altered substantially?

Also have you been given permission for this from either Grand Lodges? The sacredness and continuity of ritual is one of the tenants of freemasonry, and I'm not sure I quite like to hear that one lodge is taking upon themselves to change that.

 

[Colby K]

We do have permission from the Italian grand lodge. I am a young MM being raised just this year. How this was explained to me is that this is the tradition. Both Italian and American brothers have told me that everywhere else has, over the years, softened it up just a bit but our lodge maintains our rituals closer to tradition. I've seen videos of rituals in the seventies in the US that are exactly as ours are (I was disappointed how much is actually on the internet, I'm glad I didn't look before I was raised!). The difference as explained to me by a newly arrived brother was that in the US things are more symbolic, and here they are real. This is very hard to explain without details but this is obviously not the place for details.

I'd also like to add that for every ritual we have Italian brothers from our sister lodge and sometimes from our grand lodge present, so they know exactly what happens. Some were even raised in this manner many years ago.

 

[BroBill]

You should probably follow the guidance on work from the Grand Lodge that chartered you. Texas has a Committee on Work the provides guidance in accordance with the Constitution and By-laws. The GL that chartered your lodge should have a similar body. Just my humble opinion.....

 

[California Master]

You should probably follow the guidance on work from the Grand Lodge that chartered you. Texas has a Committee on Work the provides guidance in accordance with the Constitution and By-laws. The GL that chartered your lodge should have a similar body. Just my humble opinion.....

I have to agree. You need to know which GL has issued the Charter. I know that California frowns on any deviation to the ritual. We have two lodges who have had their Charter taken from them by the Grand Master this year alone. Just make sure that you are complying with Grand Lodge.

 

[Colby K]

The Italian GL issued our charter. They are usually present and / or participate in all parts.

 

[Jimmy Shields]

It's got me curious

 

[BryanMaloney]

I'm sure blanks can be filled in by those who know the rites (which I don't, yet) simply based on changes in society from the far more violent and vigorous late 1600s and early 1700s. That was an era in which men still settled trivial disagreements with swords and pistols.

 

[LukeD]

Colby,

I think this is something you see more in military lodges overseas. I've heard from a few Prince Hall friends that their lodges overseas are much more hands on as you would say. Some claim it's hazing, so I'm sure it's practice is declining. I could be wrong, but I don't believe it's a deviation from the ritual, just certain parts are stressed upon the candidate more than you would see in a stateside mainstream or PHA Lodge.

 

[Dhahranswa]

Visit a lodge in Germany under the America Canadian Grand Lodge (ACGL) and see if there is much difference.