In the Entered Apprentice Degree, the virtue of Fortitude is commended to our newest Mason.
What does Fortitude mean to you Masonically?
Let’s chat about it…
Emeth contest update:
We have received our first Masonic paper, and it is a great one. If you are interested in how the Master Mason Degree came about, watch for it, you’ll find it fascinating.
"Fortitude" is defined as "courage in pain or adversity." It is strength, the will to carry on, despite the conditions. As Masons, we are admonished to strive for constant improvement, no matter how small; constantly improve ourselves, that we may eventually become a "Perfect Ashlar," fit for building the Celestial Lodge. All of us constantly experience pain or adversity in small or large doses. Sick family members, loss of a job, victim of crimes, loss of friends or family, and many other forms of discomfort. We turn to our faith in many cases, to seek solace or intervention. Our supplications may not always be answered to our satisfaction--sometimes the answer is "No." If wrap ourselves in Masonic Fortitude, we are better enabled to weather adversity and "chive on" through the difficulty. In our strength, we find strength for others who may not be as well-equipped to handle the difficulty as we are. Being able (and more than willing) to help others, even when I am weeping unconsolably inside makes me feel better. (There's a fairly long story behind that statement. Ask me and I'll tell it sometime.) Our fortitude will help us to become better men, better fathers, better sons, better citizens, better Masons.
The first degree lecture tells us that Fortitude is that noble and steady purpose of mind whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril or danger when prudentially deemed expedient. Fortitude is equally distant from rashness and cowardice. Fortitude is to have courage in the face of adversity. To not be rash, to not be afraid. To stand for what is right when it’s easier to go with the crowd. Fortitude symbolizes more than physical courage. It also represents moral courage, to make decisions that are grounded in you own moral convictions and to stand by your decisions no matter the consequences. We, as Masons must always live by the highest moral and ethical principles and standby those principles in difficult times. To do the right thing when it’s the hard thing.
I thought I would ask one of my idols in Silverdale Lodge and a distinguished and well respected Past Master in our district, WB Jessie Galang, what Fortitude means to him Masonically, and this was his response:
“ You might not be fully satisfied with my response to the question, but here it is. I am going to use as a good example. When you decided to join in this fraternity, you already have the idea that it will not be a easy undertaking. But because of your firm courages and strong determination, you accepted the challenges. From EA to MM, from appointed officer to Worshipful Master, that was a long journey. You spent many hours and resources, traveling, community services and many more. The end results on all of these hardship is the handsome dividend. You met alot of brothers, made hundreds of friends, gained the respect of many and have the feeling of a better person.”
I couldn’t have said it better! Have a blessed weekend, Brethren!
"...if we can agree that almost all phraseology we encounter in Masonic ritual is allegorical, then fortitude must have a higher meaning which is not evident in the language itself. If the object of Masonic instruction is to take us to a higher level of awareness, then the virtues we encounter must be looked at with a different set of eyes."
Those words have me contemplating fortitude, especially in relation to the inner journey Freemasonry demands we take, and the changes in self it urges us to adopt.
"Fortitude" is defined as "courage in pain or adversity." It is strength, the will to carry on, despite the conditions. As Masons, we are admonished to strive for constant improvement, no matter how small; constantly improve ourselves, that we may eventually become a "Perfect Ashlar," fit for building the Celestial Lodge. All of us constantly experience pain or adversity in small or large doses. Sick family members, loss of a job, victim of crimes, loss of friends or family, and many other forms of discomfort. We turn to our faith in many cases, to seek solace or intervention. Our supplications may not always be answered to our satisfaction--sometimes the answer is "No." If wrap ourselves in Masonic Fortitude, we are better enabled to weather adversity and "chive on" through the difficulty. In our strength, we find strength for others who may not be as well-equipped to handle the difficulty as we are. Being able (and more than willing) to help others, even when I am weeping unconsolably inside makes me feel better. (There's a fairly long story behind that statement. Ask me and I'll tell it sometime.) Our fortitude will help us to become better men, better fathers, better sons, better citizens, better Masons.
The first degree lecture tells us that Fortitude is that noble and steady purpose of mind whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril or danger when prudentially deemed expedient. Fortitude is equally distant from rashness and cowardice. Fortitude is to have courage in the face of adversity. To not be rash, to not be afraid. To stand for what is right when it’s easier to go with the crowd. Fortitude symbolizes more than physical courage. It also represents moral courage, to make decisions that are grounded in you own moral convictions and to stand by your decisions no matter the consequences. We, as Masons must always live by the highest moral and ethical principles and standby those principles in difficult times. To do the right thing when it’s the hard thing.
I thought I would ask one of my idols in Silverdale Lodge and a distinguished and well respected Past Master in our district, WB Jessie Galang, what Fortitude means to him Masonically, and this was his response:
“ You might not be fully satisfied with my response to the question, but here it is. I am going to use as a good example. When you decided to join in this fraternity, you already have the idea that it will not be a easy undertaking. But because of your firm courages and strong determination, you accepted the challenges. From EA to MM, from appointed officer to Worshipful Master, that was a long journey. You spent many hours and resources, traveling, community services and many more. The end results on all of these hardship is the handsome dividend. You met alot of brothers, made hundreds of friends, gained the respect of many and have the feeling of a better person.”
I couldn’t have said it better! Have a blessed weekend, Brethren!
MW Robert Davis of Oklahoma wrote:
"...if we can agree that almost all phraseology we encounter in Masonic ritual is allegorical, then fortitude must have a higher meaning which is not evident in the language itself. If the object of Masonic instruction is to take us to a higher level of awareness, then the virtues we encounter must be looked at with a different set of eyes."
Those words have me contemplating fortitude, especially in relation to the inner journey Freemasonry demands we take, and the changes in self it urges us to adopt.