In the Grand Lodge of Alabama, knowledge of the ritual is an unofficial prerequisite for being elected into the Grand Line. With one exception, every Grand Master since, at least, 1950, has been expected to be a superb ritualist.
As I’ve travelled across the state presenting lectures, I plead with my brethren to not allow the ritual to be the sole determinant in establishing one’s value to the Craft.
The most common practice in the continental USA (I do not know if outside) is to memorize the ritual. In Puerto Rico (where I started my path) is not a requisite. In the island the tradition is that the ritual has to be read because the soul will read the deepest meaning of the ritual thru the use of the letters as symbols.
Later while investigating the origins of freemasonry I discover about some egyptian priests that the main priest is in obligation to read the ritual. The purpose was to say exactly what is written and to prevent any other word slip into the ritual.
This priest or priestess were called Ker hebs, one of the meaning of this title is "Chief of the Craftmen", another meaning is "Guardian of the ritual book" (the due guard may derive from this title).
Although they were called "craftmen", they had nothing to do with actual stone building.
As long as the ritual is performed with reverence I do not see any problem with reading. Blessings my Brothers.
I greatly admire Brothers who are able to memorize. But I think nothing less of those who can’t, whether their brains just don’t work that way or they have other priorities that keep them from studying. They’re still good men that we should all be proud to call Brothers. But the Washington Lodge Officers Handbook takes a much harsher position:
“No Brother should be elected or appointed to a Lodge office if he is unwilling or unable to memorize the ritual of the Three Degrees. Exceedingly few men are really unable to memorize.” Usually the inability to memorize is used as an excuse for unwillingness to make the effort to do so. Almost everyone can memorize if he applies himself…”
So I guess, according to the Lodge Officers Handbook, Brothers who don’t memorize are inferior; they’re lazy, lacking commitment, or both. If the handbook authors meant to offer advice in the most friendly manner they failed. And the tone is hardly on the level, which is a serious lapse on someone’s part.
MW, all that said, your explanation of the ability to memorize is the most practical that I've come across. And I agree that if a Brother can memorize he should. That's increasing a challenge since existing Masons are getting older and memorization wasn't a go to teaching technique in the education of younger Masons.
Back when the ritual was taught mouth to ear, there was no one reading out of a cipher or book. With very few exceptions, everyone can memorize the ritual. If you know your street address, or the pledge of allegiance, you can store and retain information. It can take longer and require more work, but it can be done. It takes me a lot of practice to memorize the work, but I make the time to do so.
The slow erosion of standards within our fraternity is alarming. Brother’s claiming they can’t do the work, yet are pushed through the line anyway, just drives me nuts. Seeing open standard work on any brothers lectern is a travesty. It just means to me that they don’t have the integrity or devotion to our craft to spend a few minutes each day working through the ritual.
I am also too involved as a pillared officer to expend the extra time learning lectures, it’s more than enough work for me to keep up with what I already know. Perhaps in a few years when I’m no longer needed to fill a chair I can sit down and start learning something more. A brother I know told me it took him a year to learn the 2nd degree lecture. And I think the 2nd is the easiest of the three. Kudos to anyone that expend the time going that extra mile.
I agree with you Brother. We don’t require enough of our members in fear of losing them. In my way of thinking they don’t add anything and most of the time will be out for NPD after a couple years anyway. Most lodges that are failing today can be traced to members not willing to learn the work and become officers in the lodge.
Sep 19, 2023·edited Sep 19, 2023Liked by Cameron M. Bailey
"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." Mediocre expectations produce mediocre results.
The point of a Masonic Lodge is to make Masons. You make Masons through inspiring ritual. Inspiring ritual is giving by men who have not only memorized it, but internalized it's lessons and practiced giving it with a bit of flair and comfort. It is interesting to note that our Jurisdiction does not authorize the Lectures to be read. That means it requires men who love the Fraternity and respect the Craft enough to take the time and memorize the work. Each of us has the opportunity to be that man, and that Mason.
"I'm not saying it's going to be easy. I'm saying it's going to be worth it."
I am in the chair this year and trying to learn the masters work is I think the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I know all the other jobs in the lodge but the masters work just seems to be pages and pages and so it goes on. I don't think we should be so hard on people who can't learn ritual. My ritual book is over 275 pages long how can people learn all of the book? I do know a few who can do any office in the lodge word for word but there very few who can. My mentor is 91 and knocks off the 1st degree charge which is approx 1200 words. He picks me up learning the masters work with no book. He is in the chair for the second time in 47 years at 91.
In the Grand Lodge of Alabama, knowledge of the ritual is an unofficial prerequisite for being elected into the Grand Line. With one exception, every Grand Master since, at least, 1950, has been expected to be a superb ritualist.
As I’ve travelled across the state presenting lectures, I plead with my brethren to not allow the ritual to be the sole determinant in establishing one’s value to the Craft.
The most common practice in the continental USA (I do not know if outside) is to memorize the ritual. In Puerto Rico (where I started my path) is not a requisite. In the island the tradition is that the ritual has to be read because the soul will read the deepest meaning of the ritual thru the use of the letters as symbols.
Later while investigating the origins of freemasonry I discover about some egyptian priests that the main priest is in obligation to read the ritual. The purpose was to say exactly what is written and to prevent any other word slip into the ritual.
This priest or priestess were called Ker hebs, one of the meaning of this title is "Chief of the Craftmen", another meaning is "Guardian of the ritual book" (the due guard may derive from this title).
Although they were called "craftmen", they had nothing to do with actual stone building.
As long as the ritual is performed with reverence I do not see any problem with reading. Blessings my Brothers.
I greatly admire Brothers who are able to memorize. But I think nothing less of those who can’t, whether their brains just don’t work that way or they have other priorities that keep them from studying. They’re still good men that we should all be proud to call Brothers. But the Washington Lodge Officers Handbook takes a much harsher position:
“No Brother should be elected or appointed to a Lodge office if he is unwilling or unable to memorize the ritual of the Three Degrees. Exceedingly few men are really unable to memorize.” Usually the inability to memorize is used as an excuse for unwillingness to make the effort to do so. Almost everyone can memorize if he applies himself…”
So I guess, according to the Lodge Officers Handbook, Brothers who don’t memorize are inferior; they’re lazy, lacking commitment, or both. If the handbook authors meant to offer advice in the most friendly manner they failed. And the tone is hardly on the level, which is a serious lapse on someone’s part.
MW, all that said, your explanation of the ability to memorize is the most practical that I've come across. And I agree that if a Brother can memorize he should. That's increasing a challenge since existing Masons are getting older and memorization wasn't a go to teaching technique in the education of younger Masons.
Back when the ritual was taught mouth to ear, there was no one reading out of a cipher or book. With very few exceptions, everyone can memorize the ritual. If you know your street address, or the pledge of allegiance, you can store and retain information. It can take longer and require more work, but it can be done. It takes me a lot of practice to memorize the work, but I make the time to do so.
The slow erosion of standards within our fraternity is alarming. Brother’s claiming they can’t do the work, yet are pushed through the line anyway, just drives me nuts. Seeing open standard work on any brothers lectern is a travesty. It just means to me that they don’t have the integrity or devotion to our craft to spend a few minutes each day working through the ritual.
I am also too involved as a pillared officer to expend the extra time learning lectures, it’s more than enough work for me to keep up with what I already know. Perhaps in a few years when I’m no longer needed to fill a chair I can sit down and start learning something more. A brother I know told me it took him a year to learn the 2nd degree lecture. And I think the 2nd is the easiest of the three. Kudos to anyone that expend the time going that extra mile.
I agree with you Brother. We don’t require enough of our members in fear of losing them. In my way of thinking they don’t add anything and most of the time will be out for NPD after a couple years anyway. Most lodges that are failing today can be traced to members not willing to learn the work and become officers in the lodge.
"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." Mediocre expectations produce mediocre results.
The point of a Masonic Lodge is to make Masons. You make Masons through inspiring ritual. Inspiring ritual is giving by men who have not only memorized it, but internalized it's lessons and practiced giving it with a bit of flair and comfort. It is interesting to note that our Jurisdiction does not authorize the Lectures to be read. That means it requires men who love the Fraternity and respect the Craft enough to take the time and memorize the work. Each of us has the opportunity to be that man, and that Mason.
"I'm not saying it's going to be easy. I'm saying it's going to be worth it."
I am in the chair this year and trying to learn the masters work is I think the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I know all the other jobs in the lodge but the masters work just seems to be pages and pages and so it goes on. I don't think we should be so hard on people who can't learn ritual. My ritual book is over 275 pages long how can people learn all of the book? I do know a few who can do any office in the lodge word for word but there very few who can. My mentor is 91 and knocks off the 1st degree charge which is approx 1200 words. He picks me up learning the masters work with no book. He is in the chair for the second time in 47 years at 91.
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
It's a big meal last for ever