Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is York Rite?
A: The York Rite, like Scottish Rite,
provides additional Masonic teachings and confers additional relevant
degrees and orders. The York Rite is not strictly Christian in nature
and is open to all denominations. The York Rite Bodies
consist of four independent bodies: Blue Lodge, Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Council of Royal & Select Masters and the Commandery of Knights Templar.
Q: How many degrees are conferred in
Chapter?
A: The brethren (called Companions)
in a Chapter (which is the equivalent of the local Blue Lodge) confer 4
degrees:
MARK MASTER
The work on the Temple continues. Amplifying the Fellowcraft Degree, we are taught that knowledge we received there can be employed most usefully and judiciously for our honor and the profit of others. A beautiful lesson is exemplified, inculcating the truth that although we are often misunderstood, underrated and traduced, there is ONE who will make the rejected stone the head of the corner.
PAST MASTER
This Degree begins the preparation for the Royal Arch, which we are told was removed from the Symbolic Degrees, of which it was once a part, to reserve it for the more earnest seeker of more Light in Masonry. Originally only Past Masters of Lodges were admitted to the sublime secrets of the Royal Arch. This meant that very few could receive them. The Degree of Past Master (virtual) teaches the candidate that he must first learn to obey before he can rule, and to govern himself before he can govern others.
MOST EXCELLENT MASTER
This is a significant Degree in Ancient Craft Masonry. King Solomon's Temple, which was begun so auspiciously and halted so dramatically in the Third Degree, is completed amid much rejoicing and great splendor. The labors of the Craft are given the blessing of the Lord, who descended as fire from heaven. King Solomon, in his gratitude, received and acknowledged them Most Excellent Masters, empowered them to travel and receive Master's Wages, and charged them with the responsibility of sharing their Masonic Light and Knowledge with those less informed.
THE ROYAL ARCH
In this Degree we find the completion to the Master's Degree and the Recovery of the Word. After the death of King Solomon, his magnificent Temple was destroyed and the Israelites carried away as captives to Babylon, where they lived for about 76 years. Here, many acquired considerable wealth and attained high rank and influence in the Chaldean government. However, when liberated by King Cyrus, many of them returned to Jerusalem and began rebuilding the Temple. While this work was going on and rubbish of the ruins of the first Temple was being cleared away, many interesting and valuable discoveries were made, chief of which was the recovery of the Lost Word. With the recovery of that which was lost, it would seem to the novitiate that his search for Light was ended. However in order that he might better acquire the lessons, a seemingly inverse movement of the Degrees, historically, is setup.
No Rite of Freemasonry covers the world so much as does Royal Arch Masonry. In every country of the earth; on every continent and on many isles of the sea, will be found Royal Arch Chapters, eager and willing to receive their companions from other parts of the world into that full fellowship that characterizes Royal Arch Masonry.
Q: How many degrees are conferred in
Council?
A: In a Council of Royal and Select Masters, the
Companions confer 2 degrees:
ROYAL MASTER
This Degree takes us backward in time to a day prior to the death of the builder, Hiram Abif, who is again the central character. He imparts sublime teachings of a useful labor on earth to the candidate and gives him instruction as to the preservation of our valuable secrets. This is one the most beautiful Degrees in all Masonry. Its lessons are so impressive that they are seldom forgotten. It is especially illustrative of the third and seventh Degrees.
SELECT MASTER
Historically, this Degree occurs also prior to the third Degree and deals with incidents that occurred at the building of the first Temple. It is closely connected with the Royal Arch Degree and affords the explanation needed for its perfect understanding. It is highly dramatic.
These degrees are also called Cryptic degrees as historically they were conferred in the crypts under King Solomon's Temple. They form the center body of the York Rite. In order to join a Council, you must first join a Chapter and receive the four degrees of the organization.
Q: How many degrees are conferred in a
Commandery?
A: The Brethren in a Commandery are no
longer called Companions but Sir Knights. Due to its chivalric nature, the
Commandery doesn't confer degrees but Orders which consists of three:
ORDER OF RED CROSS
Here again we revert to the period of the Royal Arch Degree when the Jews were returning from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. One of their number prevails upon King Darius to restore the Holy Vessels to the new Temple. They had been carried away by the Babylonian armies when the first Temple was destroyed. In presenting his plea before the king, the companion gives a powerful testimony to the almighty force of Truth.
ORDER OF MALTA AND THE MEDITERRANEAN PASS
Shifting to the time of the Crusades, admission to the Mediterranean Pass is sought so that a safe pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulcher might be undertaken. This is a sublime and sacred Order, which culminates in the enrollment of the suppliant as a Knight of Malta.
ORDER OF THE TEMPLE
No Degree or Order in Masonry is more solemn, impressive or soul-searching than the Order of the
Temple. It is a fitting climax to the labors of the humble penitent, who has faithfully performed the symbolic seven years of preparation for this consummation of his endeavors. He is knighted as a Christian warrior.
The Knights Templar is a Christian-oriented fraternal organization that is based on the history and mythos surrounding the 11th century Order. Originally, the Knights Templar were laymen who protected and defended Christians traveling to Jerusalem. These men took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and were renowned for their fierceness and courage in battle.
Today, the Knights Templar display their courage and goodwill in other ways. They organize fund-raising activities such as breakfasts, dinners, dances, and flea markets. They support Masonic-related youth groups and they raise millions of dollars for medical research and educational assistance.
Currently, Templar membership consists of people from all walks of life, including doctors, lawyers, clergy, businessmen and entertainment personalities, all of whom profess a belief in the Christian Religion.
The Knights Templar operate on a local, state and national level. But their religious activities extend across international borders as well. Nationally, there is The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar. This unit defines the rituals and laws governing state and local level organizations. The state groups are organized into a Grand Commandery of Knights Templar. This organization represents members of a state or an area of equivalent size. Local level groups are called Commanderies of Knights Templar.
Q: Why should I join York Rite?
A:
When you began your journey in Freemasonry
(at your Blue Lodge), the ritual
used at is according to the York Rite
Ritual (which many here call the American Rite) for the first three
degrees. On the union of the Grand Lodges in 1813, a part of the compact
of union read, "Ancient Craft Masonry consists of three degrees and no
more, namely, those of the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master
Mason including the Holy Royal Arch."
If you began your journey in York Rite, it is natural that you continue your journey in this Rite to answer those questions that arise from the ritual and lectures concerning the meaning of the ritualistic ceremonies, the historical implications and the why of the legend of the Master Mason Degree.
In Blue Lodge, you played the role of Hiram Abif and received the Substitute Word
of a Master Mason. In Chapter, you will find the Lost Word of a Master Mason and assist in rebuilding the 2nd Temple.
Remember, a “loss” word without a “recovery” would be like a thirsty man
to a dried-up spring, and it is in the Royal Arch where you will find the True Word of a Master Mason. In
Council, you’ll learn how and why the word got lost and for what purpose.
In Commandery, the Christian branch of
Freemasonry, you’ll see how Christian values are parallel to Masonic values and how we are to uphold them with mankind as Knights of the Cross.
Q: How can I join York Rite?
A: 1) By being a Master Mason in good standing
with a Blue Lodge; 2) By filling out a petition and 3) Paying the
appropriate fees and dues required. If you wish to join the
Ocala York Rite Bodies of Freemasonry, just fill out the
petition on our web
site and print it. Afterwards, send it with the appropriate fees to :
Ocala York Rite Bodies of Freemasonry
P O Box 292
Lecanto, FL 34460-0292
If you live in an area far from Marion, Citrus and Sumter counties, please contact our Secretary for further information.