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York Rite/ Scottish Rite

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
From experience you will get a lot more out of taking the degrees individually though. My brain is usually fried after the 3rd one and I just don't get anything out of the later ones. If you just want to get the box ticked go for a one day class. If you want to get something out of it and have time for contemplation a couple at a time is much more advisable.
I understand what you are saying. I talked to my mentor of the YR about this. He stated that over time I will attend many rituals time after time if that is what I want to do and each time I will notice and learn something new. I really want to join the YR and as my wife and I are both retired and living on a fixed income the cheaper two day course is what I chose.
 

crono782

Premium Member
Seeing the rituals repeatedly certainly helps. Just remember though, you only get to go through them once. In a festival, at most you'll get 9 opportunities to participate. In a class of, say 20, you may be sidelined more often. In the Scottish Rite, it can't really be helped, but you have a real opportunity to get your degrees one by one and really experience them in the York Rite. I'm not totally poo-pooing on festivals, because they serve a purpose, just consider it. I was able to take my Capitular and Cryptic degrees individually, but had to resort to a festival of sorts for my Orders. Such a bummer.

That cheaper amount looks real appealing until a year down the road and you wish you'd experienced all of it first-hand. That's just my .02 though.
 

chrmc

Registered User
I understand what you are saying. I talked to my mentor of the YR about this. He stated that over time I will attend many rituals time after time if that is what I want to do and each time I will notice and learn something new. I really want to join the YR and as my wife and I are both retired and living on a fixed income the cheaper two day course is what I chose.

That is a very good point to. In each case we all have to do what's best for us. Whilst you only get one chance to be the candidate on the receiving end, I'm certain you can still have much enjoyment and Light from a festival.
Best of luck and let us hear how it went!
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
That is a very good point to. In each case we all have to do what's best for us. Whilst you only get one chance to be the candidate on the receiving end, I'm certain you can still have much enjoyment and Light from a festival.
Best of luck and let us hear how it went!
Thank you for the kind words brother, I'll keep everyone updated.
 

Willaim Perkins

Registered User
Which would you suggest SR or YR and why?


Freemason Connect HD
YR for several reasons:
1. Franklin Chap. # 8 RAM, sponsored the Alton DeMolay Chap and as a kid I was headed down the wrong path and it got me straightened out.
2. The ceremonies are to my liking, both what they inculcate and I enjoy doing them.
3. The RA really completes the journey began in the Blue Lodge & the RSM explains how. I enjoy the military aspect to the Knights Templar to include the sword work & drill.
4. The SR Cathedral is about 40 miles away, YR metings are held at Franklin Lodge which is between work and home.

Ultimately both paths are well traveled and beneficial, it is the person who decides one or both.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
YR for several reasons:
1. Franklin Chap. # 8 RAM, sponsored the Alton DeMolay Chap and as a kid I was headed down the wrong path and it got me straightened out.
2. The ceremonies are to my liking, both what they inculcate and I enjoy doing them.
3. The RA really completes the journey began in the Blue Lodge & the RSM explains how. I enjoy the military aspect to the Knights Templar to include the sword work & drill.
4. The SR Cathedral is about 40 miles away, YR metings are held at Franklin Lodge which is between work and home.

Ultimately both paths are well traveled and beneficial, it is the person who decides one or both.
Excellent reasons.
 

Willaim Perkins

Registered User
Which would you suggest SR or YR and why?


Freemason Connect HD
While both are excellent paths, I went with the YR for several reasons. The military aspect of the RAM Chapter sponsored our DeMolay Chapter (DeMolay turned me around when I was headed down the wrong path), YR completes the journey begun in Lodge, I liked all the sword work of Chapter and Commandery, the cost, the uniforms, and while SR meet 45 miles from here, the YR meets at the Lodge between my work and home.
 

MarkR

Premium Member
York Rite tends to be localized, with chapters, councils, and commanderies co-located with blue lodges, while Scottish Rite tends to be regional, with only a few valleys in the state. This is both a strength and a weakness for both. York Rite is usually closer to the average Mason, often in his own lodge or the next town, while Scottish Rite may be a long distance. However, I've seen that the much smaller membership in the local York Rite bodies causes them to be unable to put on the degrees by themselves, while the larger Scottish Rite valleys are pretty self-sufficient and thus put on the degrees on a regular schedule.
 

Willaim Perkins

Registered User
York Rite tends to be localized, with chapters, councils, and commanderies co-located with blue lodges, while Scottish Rite tends to be regional, with only a few valleys in the state. This is both a strength and a weakness for both. York Rite is usually closer to the average Mason, often in his own lodge or the next town, while Scottish Rite may be a long distance. However, I've seen that the much smaller membership in the local York Rite bodies causes them to be unable to put on the degrees by themselves, while the larger Scottish Rite valleys are pretty self-sufficient and thus put on the degrees on a regular schedule.
I have to agreed with you. In the Alton Metroplx there is one each and we have members from the surrounding area. Down in the Metro-east there are 4 Chapters, 2 Councils and 2 Commanderies, and all of us help each other. The Metro-east is also where the Valley is located which has strong participation primarily from the surrounding area.
 

Willaim Perkins

Registered User
While I don't know a great deal about the SR I've always been a fan of the York Rite from my days as a DeMolay. I've mentioned it before that the RAM Chap. sponsored my Chapter.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
I understand what you are saying. I talked to my mentor of the YR about this. He stated that over time I will attend many rituals time after time if that is what I want to do and each time I will notice and learn something new. I really want to join the YR and as my wife and I are both retired and living on a fixed income the cheaper two day course is what I chose.
Update....decided to go the traditional route. Was voted into the YR this past Wednesday and start my Mark Master degree next month.
 
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