Monday, June 6, 2011

Emulation Rite Exemplification


Well brothers, it's been a few days since the brothers and myself were allowed to witness an Emulation Rite Third Degree exemplification as presented by Internet Lodge No. 9659. The event was a part of the Atlantic Brotherhood Summit, an event hosted by Sir Winston Churchill Lodge No. 351, a British themed affinity lodge recently chartered. I have some new perspective of the way the Masonic world looks outside the borders of Minnesota.

The Emulation Rite is one of the most widely practiced ritual in England and perhaps, throughout the world. The Emulation ritual was a result of the amalgamated practices between the Antients and the Moderns. At the merger, the Grand Lodges took steps to standardize the ritual practiced in England. Of course, in England, there is still variety in ritual but it is common that Emulation will be the ritual seen when traveling there.

In Minnesota, like most US states, there is one ritual. That ritual is our variation of Preston-Webb (which resembles the Conservator of Rob Morris). That's why this was a huge event. A different variation of ritual hasn't been done here since 1869. Under both the approval of the UGLE and the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, the Emulation Rite was exemplified.

Without going into explaining the Emulation, it was very interesting that the same story can be told in such a different way. The elements of Masonry were there. I recognized everything going on yet at the same time, the feel was very different. The lessons were still there, but more emphasis was on certain aspects versus others.

My hope with this event is that more variation will exist in our state. I really think that's the way things are going. Sir Winston Churchill Lodge doesn't really state that they would like to practice Emulation, but I'm sure they would. Before each SWC meeting, there is an Emulation practice and many top ritualists in my state are members.

A lodge that desires to take on a new ritual takes upon itself a big responsibility. If a lodge doesn't have the requiksite requisite players, it can look outside the lodge for help. If you're the only lodge that practices that particular ritual, you really have to have dedication in your members because you may not be able to find help. Of course, a lodge that is seeking a different ritual will likely have that level of dedication.

One benefit of different practices would help cement the principle of universal Masonry which is so often impressed upon us. To know that the rest of the world is not like us is important. We need a global perspective and different ritual types can do that.

I like the Minnesota Work. In general, I think it's very well organized and dramatic. However, other ritual should be permitted. Variety is the spice of life and I really think that having different practices within our state is essential. I hope to see changes in the near future.

One question that I had but was unable to ask was how is variation dealt with in England? In Minnesota, there is no variation. I understand that there is more than one ritual but I'm curious if lodges are allowed to choose their own, how schools are dealt with if there are multiple rituals, and if all lodges founded after the creation of Emulation must choose Emulation? I'm sad I couldn't ask them however, perhaps one of my readers could help.

What do you think? Should individual lodges be allowed to practice a ritual other than the standard one in their Grand Jurisdiction?

7 comments:

Chris said...

In general, UGLE Lodges are permitted to choose their own ritual from many of the customary rituals available here. My Lodge uses Taylor's ritual, which is characterised by differences in floorwork (the Deacons and Director of Ceremonies always walk along the border of the Sq.P. to get from point A to point B, rather than walking directly to point B). The text of oaths is the same in all rituals, AFAIK.

In general, the ritual used by the mother lodge is carried through to a daughter lodge.

We also in our Lodge have what we call "Goliath Working". In the usual Taylor's and Emulation openings the SW and JW answer for the situation and duties of all officers. In Goliath Working, the WM addresses each officer (except the Tyler, for whom the JW answers) when demanding their situations and duties. In the Closing, instead of directly instructing the SW to close the Lodge, the WM asks the SD to bear his command to the SW to close the Lodge. There are a few other small differences.

I am a member of Philanthropic Lodge F&AM, Marblehead, Massachusetts (my birthplace) and the Massachusetts ritual for opening and closing is extremely casual vis-a-vis Taylor's ritual here.

W.Bro. Chris Hansen, WM
Goliath Lodge #5595, UGLE

Millennial Freemason said...

One other question:

Are there any schools that maintain the ritual within those lodges that use a certain work? In MN, we have schools for instruction but of course, we have but one work.

Nick

Still Justa Mason said...

Chris will likely mention the major rituals in England have a Commmittee that maintains their work. And there are places like the Emulation Lodge of Improvement in London which rehearses the ritual.

But there are no "schools" ordained by Grand Lodge that obsessively make sure every Lodge does everything the same way. Chris would confirm it but I doubt there are two Lodges under UGLE which do everything identical.

In my jurisdiction, ritual is strictly a Lodge matter. Lodges pick a named ritual out of the four permitted and follow the book. In the spots where the book isn't specific, the Lodge develops its own way of doing things.

Millennial Freemason said...

Justa,

I really see both the Emulation and Ancient York rituals telling the same story just from a different speaker. I really liked the degree I witnessed.

I found a paper about the development of Canadian ritual. Just fascinating.

Nick

Unknown said...

Dear brothers, belong to lodge `A. 3830. R. `. L.`. `S.. Times GOB Studies. Brazil - Sao Paulo, where a discussion took place recently. My question is what is correct to say; Rite or York Rite emulation? What is the rite or ritual we practice? And what has the correct UGLE here in Brazil.

That's all

one triple fraternal hug

Irm Matthew A. `. M.`.

email mateus@aztechengenharia.com

Unknown said...

Dear brothers, belong to lodge `A. 3830. R. `. L.`. `S.. Times GOB Studies. Brazil - Sao Paulo, where a discussion took place recently. My question is what is correct to say; Rite or York Rite emulation? What is the rite or ritual we practice? And what has the correct UGLE here in Brazil.

That's all

one triple fraternal hug

Irm Matthew A. `. M.`.

email mateus@aztechengenharia.com

Unknown said...

I'm RWB Alfonso Piacentini Jr, I saw the light in a lodge under the Grand Jurisdiction of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Puerto Rico which is both, AF&AM and F&AM. In addition , lodges under its Jurisdiction maybe charactered to practice the York Rite (American Rite) or Scottish Rite (Craft and not related to the AASR) which is practice in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba,some places in Canada, about 10 lodges in the Grand Jurisdiction of Louisiana I understand. I know that the Craft Scottish Rite is not related to Pikes' Scottish Rite of which I posse the 32nd degree, and it was always stressed that there was no relationship between blue lodge's Scottish Rite and AASR. I'm now Affiliated to a York Rite craft (American Rite) .

I would like to conduct masonic education education of the Rite in which I saw the light (became an EA, Passed to the degree of FC,and was raised to the sublime degree of MM). Became WM of the Lodge, and PM, later a RWB after serving as Grand Treasurer of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Puerto Rico.

I would like to conduct masonic education of my Rite my lodge but I'm unable to find reliable information about the history the craft Scottish Rite.

Can any versed brother in the subject shed light that I may use in enlightening my new brothers who practice a different Rite? Ithe will be highly appreciated. You may address me directly at alpia1960@gmail.com. Health! Strength!and Union! RWB Alfonso Piacentini