Wednesday, 5 October 2016

David A. Glattly to be Grand Commander of the Northern Jurisdiction


foto: Scottish Rite, NMJ
The election of David A. Glattly in the office of Sovereign Grand Commander of the Northern Jurisdiction will take place during the Annual Communication of Rochester in 2017. The announcement was made by the current Sovereign Grand Commander, John William McNaughton, who will retire in August 2017, according to the Masonic Agency. The same source mentions that Glattly is a member of the Craft of over 40 years, he was raised a Master Mason in Clifton Lodge #203 in 1975 and was Worshipful Master in 1995. Also in 1998 he was Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. Glattly became an honorary member of the Supreme Council in 2000 in Pittsburgh and an active member in 2002 in Boston. He is a member of several Masonic organizations.

According to the SUPREME COUNCIL, 33° NORTHERN MASONIC JURISDICTION, Brother Glattly and his wife Monica live in Hawthorne, New Jersey. They have two children, son Matthew and daughter Jessica“To our valued members and Brothers,” said Commander McNaughton, “I could not be more pleased to inform you that the Supreme Council’s nominating committee has named David Glattly as your next Sovereign Grand Commander. Brother Glattly has been an active and honored Freemason for more than 40 years, and a member of the Scottish Rite for nearly three decades. Our fraternity will be led by a good man who serves from his heart. He will shoulder great responsibility with intelligence, experience, dedication, and grace.”

The appointment of Brother Glattly marks the first time a new Scottish Rite leader has been announced a year prior to taking office. “These are challenging times for Freemasonry,” said Commander McNaughton. “Your Scottish Rite leadership and I feel it is important to have a thorough and seamless transition for our Fraternity.” Commander McNaughton and Brother Glattly will consult together over the next 12 months to continue the work “we began a decade ago—shifting the priorities of Northern Masonic Jurisdiction back to caring for our members, and bringing compassion to the forefront of our Fraternity,” he said.


25th anniversary of the Regular Grand Lodge of Portugal


According to the Masonic Agency, on September 24, 2016 the Regular Grand Lodge of Portugal celebrated its 25th anniversary. Friday night took place a special dinner and on Saturday was held the Anniversary Annual Communication and the Installation Ceremony for another mandate for Grand Master Julio Meirinhos. The historical event of Portuguese Freemasonry was attended by the Grand Lodges of France (represented by Grand Master Jean Pierre Servel), Brazil, Paraguay, New York (United States), Bulgaria (represented by Grand Master Ivan Sariev) etc, totaling a 35 foreign delegations.

The event took place in the Convento do Beato de Lisboa. A highlight of the ceremonies was the installation of 78 Worshipful Masters at the same time, something unusual in European Freemasonry. The ceremonies held Saturday were attended by about 1,000 guests.

Wednesday, 28 September 2016

Israel's President received the visit of Grand Master Avi Baranès


As related by the Masonic Agency, on 10 November 2015 a delegation of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel was received by His Excellency President Reuven Rivlin. The delegation of the Grand Lodge was headed by Grand Master Avi Baranès. The delegation also included, among others: Past Grand Masters Nadim Mansour, Sami Raphael, Itzhak Zino, Ephraim Fuchs, Deputy Grand Master Suleiman Salem etc.

The President of Israel received from the Grand Master the medal of the Grand Lodge in recognition for his actions made in favor of Israeli citizens without distinction of race and religion.

Grand Master Avi Baranès is in his second term, leading  the sole regular Grand Lodge of Israel. President Reuven Rivlin is the leader of the Israeli state since 2014 and is a supporter of minority rights.


Wednesday, 7 September 2016

Brazil's independence and the Freemason Pedro I, Emperor and Grand Master


Pedro I, nicknamed "the Liberator" or "the Soldier King", was the founder and first ruler of the Empire of Brazil. When Portugal was invaded by French troops in 1807, he and his family fled to Portugal's largest and wealthiest colony, Brazil. Pedro's father left him to rule over Brazil as Prince Regent after the outbreak of the 1820 Portuguese Revolution.

The rebel Prince declared himself in favour of Brazil and on 7 September 1822 he proclaimed Brazil's Independence. One month later he was the first Emperor of Brazil. On 7 April 1831, Pedro I abdicated in favour of his son Pedro II, and sailed for Europe. In July 1832 he invaded Portugal. Pedro I died of tuberculosis on 24 September 1834, just a few months after he and the liberals had emerged victorious. He was hailed by both contemporaries and posterity as a key figure who helped spread the liberal ideals that allowed Brazil and Portugal to move from Absolutist regimes to representative forms of government.

As Imperial and Royal Highness, Pedro of Alcântara, Prince Regent of Brazil, was initiated into Freemasonry (under the pseudonym of Guatimozin) on August 2, 1822 in a ceremony led by Grand Master Jose Bonifacio. On October 4, 1822 he was elected and installed as Grand Master of the Grand Orient of Brazil. All Masonic documents were signed by him under the name Pedro Guatimozin. He adopted this name in reverence to the last leader of the Aztecs, who fought against the Spanish invaders. The Grand Orient of Brazil conferred the Emperor the honorary title of Perpetual Defender of Brazil on May 13, 1822.


Sunday, 4 September 2016

Thursday, 1 September 2016

Masonic Poem | MEET ON THE LEVEL AND PART ON THE SQUARE by Vincent SPADA


Don't traffic in falsehood
You'll find nothing there
Meet on the level
and part on the square

Keep the faith burning
and always play fair
Meet on the level
and part on the square

Think with your heart
and show that you care
Meet on the level
and part on the square

God gives us glory
As long as we dare
Meet on the level
and part on the square...



Vincent Spada | Copyright 2016 | Written 8/21/16