Our Widows And Orphans
How about those Masonic orphans?
Long ago, too long ago for anyone to remember, Freemasonry placed upon itself a duty to care for the widows and orphans of its members.
We find this duty outlined in various places within our ritual.
It’s our duty to contribute to the relief of distressed worthy Master Masons, their widows and orphans.
Do we?
In the case of a Mason’s orphans, do we? Really?
In Los Angeles County, 64.5% of kids in foster care graduate from high school.1
Contrast that with an overall graduation rate of 86.6%.
Kids classified by the schools as socioeconomically disadvantaged graduate at that same 86.6% rate.
Looking at nationwide numbers, across the United States, only 58% of kids in foster care graduate High School.
But 72.4% of kids from homes suffering the worst poverty graduate.
Higher Education?
Only 3% of kids in foster care graduate college. Contrast that with a college graduation rate of 11% for kids from the poorest homes.
One more contrast. Out of all the males who grew up in foster care, 60% have ended up in prison or jail. Compared to 8% of males who grew up in poverty.
Foster kids are in a real bad way.
Of course it must be acknowledged that our world has changed very significantly since the early days of Freemasonry. Men do not die so often in war and industry, women so often in childbirth, and modern medicine cures diseases that used to take lives by the millions.
As a result, there is much less chance that a Mason’s children will end up orphaned.
Most likely, an individual Lodge doesn’t have any orphaned kids.
But, some Lodges do. Tragedy strikes families. Not nearly as often as at the founding of Freemasonry, yet still sometimes today.
If this happens within our Lodge, if one of our Brother’s children are orphaned, it becomes our duty, our solemn duty, to ensure that his children have the same shot at success as our own.
That his children have the same change to graduate high school and remain out of prison as our kids.
This means mentorship, advocacy, and money. A great deal of all three.
To do anything less than that for his orphans is to abandon the very thing that makes us Brothers.
Last week I wrote a little something about building community that I think you might enjoy:
All of the statistics mentioned in this essay are from Being Poor Doesn’t Have The Same Effect As Living In Chaos by Rob Henderson. I urge you to read his article.
Perhaps at one time Lodge dues allowed for substantive support for widows and orphans. It’s also likely that members were more active in their Lodges, so that the brethren may know the man, and his family, prior to any unfortunate situation.
If we are not able to financially support the growth and well-being of our own Lodge, how likely is it that ‘our ability permits’ the lofty goal of supporting a widow or orphan? Also, would a brother’s involvement in the Lodge bear any weight in determining the worthiness of a widow or orphan? It becomes imperative to temper our expectations and align them with the realities of our Lodge.
The Craft has the superstructure to support the highest ideals that a society of good men can produce, but it requires time and money to build upon that structure. Both of which are given in exchange for value. Therefore, if one wishes to increase the charitable capacity of a Lodge, there should be a greater emphasis on the value of participating in that building process to its actual members. Sustained Masonic insight, growth, and enjoyment form the foundation for continuous improvement in Masonry. By prioritizing the well-being of our members, we inspire them to fulfill their duties with dedication.
The problem is orphanages falling out of fashion. They provide far more stability than fostering. It's a horrible system, as well-intentioned as some are.
I say bring them back in a carefully planned way. And remove the stigma about it.