WHY YOU

4. KNIGHT TEMPLAR MASONRY

Local Commanderies are governed by the Grand

A MASTER MASON
Commandery of each jurisdiction, and they in turn by the
Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the U.S.A.
SHOULD BE
In the Commandery, the Chivalric Orders of Christian
Knighthood are conferred as follows:

The Illustrious Order of the Red Cross

INTERESTED IN
The Order of Knight of Malta
The Order of the Temple

The Illustrious Order of the Red Cross is founded upon

THE
WHAT DOES YORK RITE MASONRY OFFER?
Truth – a divine attribute, the foundation of every virtue. YORK RITE
The noble heritage of York Masonry is yours to
Knights of Malta. First called Knights Hospitallers of St.
John of Jerusalem are known to have been in existence
take. The regular meetings of the various grades OF
as early as 1099 A.D. It was the first organized body
whose avowed purpose was the aid and care of those
are conducive to firmer relationships and a closer
spirit of brotherly love. Being a York Rite Mason
FREEMASONRY
injured on a battlefield. The teaching of Christian does not mean you are elevated to a “higher rank’.
applications of Masonic precepts begins with this Order. It is an educational tool to help you realize the
Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man in your
The Order of the Temple is the crowning glory of York own life. We trust the foregoing has increased your
Rite Masonry. It is widely regarded as the most solemn interest in the York Rite.
and impressive experience in Masonry. Here the
aspirant progresses in the footsteps of Jesus of
Nazareth. At the empty tomb grows a sprig of acacia,
We invite you to claim this heritage.
teaching that we shall dwell forever in the realms of life
and light eternal.
THE YORK RITE
Freemasonry demands only a belief in a monotheistic
God, where Hindu, Muslim, Jew and Gentile may
together worship around its alters. The Christian
CONSISTS OF FOUR
Freemason alone has at his disposal a branch of the DISTINCT AND SEPARATE
fraternity where he is free to interpret the teachings of the
Symbolic Lodge according to his religious belief. The SOVEREIGN MASONIC BODIES:
Masonic Orders of Christian Knighthood are the logical
outcome of the Christian Mason’s belief in Christ as the The Symbolic Lodge
Lion of the Tribe of Judah. That Mason believes Christ’s
hand will raise the dead to life, and in His Holy Name the The Chapter of Royal Arch Masons
True Word is found and restored at last. “In the The Council of Cryptic Masons
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, The Commandery of Knights Templar
and the Word was God”.
 Entered Apprentice, the Fellowcraft, and the Master In the degree of the Royal Arch, the epitome of Masonic
Mason, INCLUDING THE SUPREME ORDER OF THE symbolism is found. It has been said “the Royal Arch is
HOLY ROYAL ARCH.” the root, heart and marrow of Masonry, without
1. SYMBOLIC MASONRY knowledge of which the Masonic character cannot be
On the North American Continent, there are additional complete”.
The symbolic degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, degrees in the system, supplementing the work of the
and Master Mason, as conferred in the United States, are Lodge, Chapter, and Council, and the Orders conferred in
The Royal Arch degree is the completion of the whole
degrees of the York Rite. the Commandery have been arranged into a system or
system of Freemasonry. Having begun regular
Rite referred to as the American, Canadian, or York Rite
advancement through the Symbolic Lodge, it is the duty
York Masonry is the oldest and best known of all Masonic of Freemasonry. It is American in structure, as it is a
of each Master Mason to complete the degree series. He
Rites. It takes its name from York, England, where the democratic organization in which every member has a
who has sought further Masonic education should return
earliest known record of Masonry exists, dating from voice and a right to be heard.
to the Symbolic Lodge, retrace his steps and advance
about A.D. 923. Masonry’s first written record is centered through the Rite until he can receive the climax of
around York, the seat of the Ancient York Grand Lodge. Masonic symbolism, as taught in the Royal Arch.
In 1813, this Grand Lodge merged with another group
called the Modern Grand Lodge, to form the United Only those who have attained the Royal Arch may be
Grand Lodge of England. This is the basis upon which 2. ROYAL ARCH MASONRY said to have completed their Masonic Work.
our present system of Symbolic Lodge Masonry is built.
The various local Chapters operate under the jurisdiction
You, as a Master Mason, have received the first three of the “Grand Chapter” of each state, which in turn is
degrees of the York Rite. Having begun your Masonic governed by the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch
work in the York Rite, it is natural that you should want to Masons International. The General Grand Chapter
continue with it. constitutes the largest Masonic Body in the world.

The Chapter confers four degrees (Capitular Degrees),

3. CRYPTIC MASONRY
According to Masonic legend, every man raised to the
sublime degree of a Master Mason received “substitute giving a complete story of Masonic symbolism, in the
The Councils of Cryptic Masons operate under the
secrets”, as the “true secrets” were lost. It may prove a following order:
Mark Master jurisdiction of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of
surprise to the average man, believing his work is each state and most Grand Councils operate under the
completed, to be told that the secrets pertaining to the Past Master (Virtual)
Most Excellent Master General Grand Council of the United States. They confer
ceremony will not be given to him! This is unfortunate, the following three degrees:
but the veil is lifted in the degree of the Royal Arch, and Royal Arch
Royal Master
in that degree only. Hence, no man actually becomes a Select Master
Master Mason until he is exalted to that holy order. The Mark Master degree is perhaps the oldest Masonic
Super Excellent Master
degree, and is one of the most highly respected. It
Some would have the newly raised Master Mason believe teaches practical lessons for everyday living. This
Without the Royal and Select Master degrees, neither the
that he can receive the secrets and word in a degree degree supplements the Fellowcraft Degree.
Master Mason degree nor the Royal Arch degree is
other than the Royal Arch. This is not true, historically or complete. These two degrees account for the
otherwise. The mother Grand Lodge of England was so The Past Master degree teaches the candidate the
concealment and preservation of the treasures revealed
emphatic regarding the necessity of the Royal Arch important duties and responsibilities of the Oriental Chair,
in the Royal Arch.
degree that many years ago, it set forth this as Paragraph and is qualification for advancement.
One (1) of its Laws and Regulations: The Super Excellent Master is an honorary degree,
It is commonly known that the symbolism of Freemasonry
qualifications for which are fulfilled by virtue of being in
“By the solemn act of the union between the two Grand surrounds the building of the Temple. In symbolic Free-
good standing in a Council. This degree is the most
Lodges of Freemasons of England in December, 1813, it Masonry, the Temple is never completed. In the Most
dramatic and spectacular of all Masonic systems.
was declared and pronounced that Pure Ancient Masonry Excellent Master degree, we are taught the lessons of the
consists of three degrees and no more, viz: those of the completion and dedication of the Temple.