QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SCOTTISH RITE...
WHAT IS THE SCOTTISH RITE?
It is a branch of Freemasonry designed to supplement and amplify
the philosophical teachings of the first three degrees.
HOW DOES THE SCOTTISH RITE ELABORATE ON THE CRAFT LODGE DEGREES?
It presents in degrees from the fourth to the thirty-second an
interpretation of the lessons of the Craft degrees by the use of
drama and lectures appealing to both the ear and eye to teach the
great truths which Freemasonry professes.
HOW MANY DEGREES ARE THERE IN SCOTTISH RITE?
Thirty-three including the Craft degrees. However the Craft
degrees are accepted as conferred by the Grand Lodges. The
Thirty-third is conferred directly by Supreme Council, the governing
Body of the Rite.
WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER DEGREES?
The fourth to the fourteenth inclusive are conferred by Lodges of
Perfection. The fifteenth to the eighteenth inclusive are conferred
by Rose Croix Chapters. The nineteenth to the thirty-second
inclusive are conferred by Consistories. Each Lodge, Chapter and
Consistory is an organized Body within the Valley (geographical
area) served by it.
WHY ARE THESE DEGREES CALLED SCOTTISH RITE?
Any connection with Scotland would seem to be vague. The reason
may be that one or two of the degrees were long supposed to have
been devised by the Chevalier Andrew Michael Ramsay, a learned
Scotsman, who was tutor to Prince Charles Edward, the young
Pretender. These degrees seem to have afforded a meeting place for
those in exile in France who were adherents of the Stuarts, and who
were plotting for the restoration of James II and his son to the
throne of England. No degree of the Scottish Rite seems to have ever
had its origin in Scotland.
WHAT IS THE GENERAL FIELD COVERED BY EACH OF THE GROUPS OF
Lodge of Perfection: The fourth to the fourteenth degrees amplify
the legend of the Master Mason degree and the story of the building
of King Solomon's Temple. These degrees are designed to impress more
forcefully the teachings of the first three degrees. In all Lodges
of Perfection the 4th, 5th, 7th 13th and 14th degrees are
obligatory, and are conferred in full: the others, if not in full,
are communicated by obligation and explanation.
Rose Croix Chapter: The fifteenth and sixteenth degrees relate to
the rebuilding of the Temple of Zerubbabel. In our Canadian rituals
of the seventeenth and eighteenth degrees we teach the Christian
philosophy. The eighteenth degree is supplemented by beautiful
Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday Ceremonies. The fifteenth and
eighteenth degrees are obligatory.
Consistory: Several of the degrees of the Consistory series,
nineteenth to thirty-second, further amplify the teachings of the
previous degrees, others have the Crusades as a background. The
30th, 31st and 32nd are obligatory.
ARE SCOTTISH RITE DEGREES HIGHER THAN THOSE OF A MASTER MASON?
There is no Masonic distinction of higher prestige than that of a
"Master Mason", and the noblest and most significant emblem is the
Apron of the Master Mason.
WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP?
Membership in good standing in Craft Lodge. A belief in a Supreme
Being is essential, and of course the usual Masonic conditions of
residence, sponsors, investigation and ballot.
WILL I BE REQUIRED TO DO ANY MEMORIZING?
No. You witness the ceremonies and drama and listen to the
illustrative lectures. In order for you to more fully understand and
appreciate what you have seen and heard you are expected to attend
future presentations of the degrees.
ARE THERE ANY RELIGIOUS DISQUALIFICATIONS?
The Scottish Rite does not intrude on the religious beliefs of
its members, but it does require that its adherents profess a belief
in a Supreme Being, and urges its members to be active in their
respective churches. It does not attempt to teach any creed nor
pretend to be a religion nor a substitute for religion. Scottish
Rite practices universality.
WHAT WILL IT COST?
Minimum initiation fees have been established by Supreme Council,
but each Lodge, Chapter and Consistory fixes its own fees. Each Body
also requires annual dues as fixed by its by-laws. Some Bodies also
have a provision in their by-laws permitting a member to prepay his
dues for the life of his membership in that Body. That is known as a
commutation of dues.
WILL I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VARIOUS
ACTIVITIES OF THE RITE?
If you make known your wishes you may expect to be invited to
participate in the Work. There is a place for you in many of the
degree presentations depending on your talents and experience and
your own wishes: as a guard, as a member of the choir, or as a
member of the wardrobe committee, the stage crew or make-up team.
You can be an actor in a minor, intermediate or major role as your
talents permit. There is also the possibility of being on the
reception committee or to be an Officer of the Body.
WHEN WILL I BE ENTITLED TO WEAR THE SCOTTISH RITE RING?
After receiving the fourteenth degree.
AFTER BECOMING A MEMBER OF SCOTTISH RITE WILL I BE PERMITTED OR
REQUIRED TO TAKE MY DEMIT FROM MY CRAFT LODGE?
No. Termination of membership in a Craft Lodge, for any reason,
automatically terminates your membership in Scottish Rite.
WHAT IS A REUNION?
It is the practice in most Valleys to hold a Reunion of the
members once or twice a year, when all the degrees of the Lodge,
Chapter or Consistory are conferred or communicated on a class of
candidates over a period of a few days. This gives an opportunity
for some social fellowship and it is also more convenient for the
members living some distance from the meeting place.
WHAT ARE THE EASTER CEREMONIES?
In the Rose Croix Chapter, these ceremonies constitute a solemn
observance every year of the Passover or Paschal Supper on Maundy
Thursday in Holy week, and then on Easter Sunday an inspiring
observance of the Resurrection.
HOW IS THE SCOTTISH RITE GOVERNED IN CANADA?
By a Supreme Council composed of all Past Sovereign Grand
Commanders, all Active Members (not exceeding 33 in number) and all
Past Active Members (without a vote). This group determines the
policies of the Subordinate Bodies. Associated with it are a number
of Honorary Members limited to one for every fifty members of the
Rite in the Jurisdiction of a Province or group of Provinces. These
men have been so honoured because of their contributions of services
to Scottish Rite and to their country, their church or society.
HOW IS THIS SUPREME COUNCIL ORGANIZED?
By a slate of Officers as follows:
Sovereign Grand Commander
Lieutenant Grand Commander
Deputies of the Provinces
Grand Master of Ceremonies
Grand Standard Bearer
Grand Captain of the Guard
There is one Deputy for each of the Provinces of New Brunswick,
Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, North West Territories,
Yukon Territories and British Columbia. There are two Deputies for
Ontario, and one for the group of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
DOES SCOTTISH RITE SUPPORT ANY SPECIFIC CHARITABLE ENDEAVOUR?
Yes. Through The Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation established
in 1964. The present fund is in excess of seven million dollars and
all the income earned by the fund is used for research into the
causes, prevention and treatment of mental retardation. All gifts,
donations and bequests received are retained as capital, so that
since the Foundation was started with a transfer of $100,000 from
Supreme Council in 1964 it has grown to more than seventy times that
amount. During the same period earnings by the Foundation have been
in excess for bursaries or research.
Read more about .....