The York Rite is one of the appendant bodies of Freemasonry in which a Master Mason may proceed to supplement and amplify the Blue Lodge degrees, affording historical background on the work and meaning of Freemasonry. The York Rite takes its name from the old English city of York. The York Rite is not a religion in itself, it does, however, develop themes based on the Medieval Crusades.
What is York Rite Masonry?
On your journey through the three degrees of Symbolic Masonry,
no doubt many questions have arisen concerning the meaning of the
ritualistic ceremonies, the historical implications and the
‘why’ of the legends of Freemasonry.
Many believe the Sublime Degree of Master Mason to be the
ultimate degree of Freemasonry and that all others are added and
explanatory. Most students of Freemasonry agree that the story of
the Craft as presented in the three degrees is incomplete and
that the degrees offered in the York Rite of Freemasonry complete
the story and answer many of the questions in the mind of the
newly made Master Mason.
The York Rite consists of the degrees of the Royal Arch, the Council of Royal and Select Masters and the orders of the Commandery of Knights Templar. In none of these is any memorization required to advance from one degree to another. There are many easily learned parts that any interested Mason may acquire and participate in the conferring of the work. In the York Rite, most of the work is by a cast of characters made up to portray more vividly the message and the cast is robed to add to the impressiveness of the lessons.
In the York Rite , a Master Mason may become a member of three bodies -
We trust that you have been intrigued by the lessons and mysteries of Freemasonry which you have thus far received and that you will in due time investigate those available in the York Rite of Freemasonry in order to complete your Masonic knowledge.
Thanks for stopping by if you
have any questions or comments E-mail:
C.Don Munden or Thomas W. Harper
