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SALVE FRATER - - Welcome Brother, and to all who visit this site, Welcome!
Louisiana Scottish Rite Masonry offers all Freemasons the opportunity to enter
the “College of Freemasonry” by becoming a member and participating. Joining
alone will not accomplish the goal of being a member – participation is
required.
Scottish Rite Masonry is not Scottish – it is actually handed down from the
French. In the early days of Masonic lodge formation, the early 1700's,
Masonry spread from the British Isles into Europe and became very popular,
particularly during the later 1700's period known as The Enlightenment.
European Masonry used and transformed many of the early English, Scottish and
Irish rituals into their own form, and thus French / Scotch Rite forms became
very popular on the Continent. Today, most non-English speaking nations,
particularly those colonized by European powers, follow the Scottish Rite form
of Masonry. So most European, Asian, South and Central American, and many
African Masonic national Masonic lodges follow the Scottish Rite form of
ritualistic presentation with some of their own minor variations. English
speaking nations generally follow the “York Rite” form of ritualistic
presentations in their Masonic lodges.
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Any Master Mason in good standing is
eligible and welcome to become a member of the Scottish Rite. An application
process is required (accompanied with a Joining Fee of $400) This fee
includes the first years dues, lifetime subscription to the Scottish Rite
Journal and the Trestleboard and the Master
Craftsman course and reference materials.
Membership is then determined by a favorable vote of the current
membership – annual Dues of $120 are also required. All members are
encouraged to become Endowed Members by paying a life-time Dues fee of
$2500.00 for each Valley.
Scottish Rite offers lessons in many areas through the presentation of
twenty-nine degrees (lessons presented in the form of stage plays), that
offer thoughts on character, morality, religious tolerance, self-inspection,
historical significance and inspirational messages. These Degrees compliment
and add to the lessons in the three Craft Degrees conferred in the Masonic
Lodge. The Degrees are performed in our five Scottish Rite Valleys (local
organizations) usually twice a year. Our Valleys are located in New Orleans,
Shreveport, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge and Monroe.
Each Valley offers many programs for members – regular meetings are held
monthly, and in addition, many events are planned for members and their
families. Events such as golf tournaments, horse shows, trips to places such
as Branson, MO, special band concerts, family picnics, patriotic programs, special
cooking shows with celebrity chefs, and other activities are a part of our
different Valley programs. Special leadership workshops are offered annually
to incoming officers and members, and continuing programs on education are
held. Membership includes a national magazine and state magazine, each
published every other month and full of useful and information materials.
Scottish Rite welcomes you to inquire about our organization, as we are not a
secret organization, our addresses and telephone numbers are listed in the
area telephone directories. You may also find our Valley information by
looking at this site under “Valleys”.
Please enjoy our information
- - Bill Mollere, S.G.I.G.
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