South Wales & Monmouthshire District Rose Croix
About the Order.. continued
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
The Ancient and Accepted Rite
The Ancient and Accepted Rite derives from the Rite of Perfection, which developed in France mainly in the quarter-century before September 1762. Its constitution, and the rituals for its twenty-five degrees, were formalised by Francken in a manuscript bearing that date, though probably written somewhat later. It was followed by The Grand Constitutions of 1786, dated May 1786, which describe the Ancient and Accepted Rite, consisting of thirty-three degrees, largely as it exists today. This document was presented as the product of a Council meeting under the titular direction of Frederick the Great. The original has not been found, and the copies seem to date from nearer to 1800.
In May 1801, in Charleston, the first Supreme Council following the Grand Constitutions was opened (now known as The Southern Jurisdiction of the USA). It was followed by France (1804), Spain (1811) and the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the USA (1813). Ireland (1826) was the sixth, England and Wales (1845) - receiving its Patent from the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction - was the eleventh and Scotland (1846) the twelfth. There are now independent Supreme Councils in over 60 countries.
In May 1801, in Charleston, the first Supreme Council following the Grand Constitutions was opened (now known as The Southern Jurisdiction of the USA). It was followed by France (1804), Spain (1811) and the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the USA (1813). Ireland (1826) was the sixth, England and Wales (1845) - receiving its Patent from the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction - was the eleventh and Scotland (1846) the twelfth. There are now independent Supreme Councils in over 60 countries.
The Supreme Council 33°
The sovereign power of the Ancient and Accepted Rite in England and Wales is committed to a Supreme Council consisting of nine Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, as prescribed for every country by the Grand Constitutions. It has the responsibility of managing the affairs and promoting the wellbeing of the Order, including the consecration of new Chapters, and of maintaining fruitful relationships with other Masonic bodies, both nationally and internationally. It is in amity with Supreme Councils in many foreign jurisdictions.
Each member of the Supreme Council holds the highest degree of the Order, the 33°, as do some 50 Inspectors General in England and Wales and 20 in Districts overseas, to whom authority is delegated to manage their appointed Districts, and a few others who contribute very significant services to the Order, or to Freemasonry in general. These include the Grand Patron, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent.
Authority is further delegated to Chapters to confer degrees from 4° to 18°. The higher degrees are generally conferred by the Supreme Council at regular ceremonies, and recognise substantial services to the Order: 30° (including 19° to 29°), 31°, 32° and 33°.
Each member of the Supreme Council holds the highest degree of the Order, the 33°, as do some 50 Inspectors General in England and Wales and 20 in Districts overseas, to whom authority is delegated to manage their appointed Districts, and a few others who contribute very significant services to the Order, or to Freemasonry in general. These include the Grand Patron, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent.
Authority is further delegated to Chapters to confer degrees from 4° to 18°. The higher degrees are generally conferred by the Supreme Council at regular ceremonies, and recognise substantial services to the Order: 30° (including 19° to 29°), 31°, 32° and 33°.
The Ceremony
In the ceremony, the Candidate is taken through several rooms, which figuratively represent his spiritual and Masonic life from Craft Masonry, through despair, to a Rose Croix Chapter and the discovery of the Lost Word.
At the start, he is taken from a Master Mason (3°) to a 17° Mason, a Knight of the East and West, of symbolic age, coming - as the ritual explains - at a time of dire calamity with but incomplete pre-Christian knowledge.
The ceremony of the 18° seeks the Perfection of Christian Virtues in Faith, Hope and Charity.
It is an immensely thought provoking, impressive and beautiful ceremony which instils an even greater warmth of the Brotherly love, on which the whole Masonic movement is founded.
Following perfection, the ensuing "feast of fraternal affection" is a wonderful moment of shared Freemasonry all too often lost in other degrees.
The Rose Croix, like Freemasonry as a whole, is not a religion. It does, however, serve to point the way.
It is this which makes Rose Croix so important, encompassing all we seek, while pointing us clearly to the Trinitarian Christian Faith.
At the start, he is taken from a Master Mason (3°) to a 17° Mason, a Knight of the East and West, of symbolic age, coming - as the ritual explains - at a time of dire calamity with but incomplete pre-Christian knowledge.
The ceremony of the 18° seeks the Perfection of Christian Virtues in Faith, Hope and Charity.
It is an immensely thought provoking, impressive and beautiful ceremony which instils an even greater warmth of the Brotherly love, on which the whole Masonic movement is founded.
Following perfection, the ensuing "feast of fraternal affection" is a wonderful moment of shared Freemasonry all too often lost in other degrees.
The Rose Croix, like Freemasonry as a whole, is not a religion. It does, however, serve to point the way.
It is this which makes Rose Croix so important, encompassing all we seek, while pointing us clearly to the Trinitarian Christian Faith.
Candidate Qualifications
All candidates for membership of the Ancient and Accepted Rite under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Council for England and Wales must profess the Trinitarian Christian Faith, and have been Master Masons for at least one year in UGLE, or have joined a lodge under UGLE from a recognised Grand Lodge.
Affiliation of candidates owing allegiance to other Supreme Councils is permitted only in exceptional circumstances (subject to prior enquiry to the Grand Secretary General).
Any Brother wishing to visit a Chapter, or receive a visit from a member of a Chapter, in one of those jurisdictions with which the Supreme Council is in amity, other than Scotland, requires prior approval.
Throughout England and Wales and certain Districts and Chapters Overseas the Order is governed by the Supreme Council 33° whose headquarters are located at No. 10, Duke Street, St. James, London.
Affiliation of candidates owing allegiance to other Supreme Councils is permitted only in exceptional circumstances (subject to prior enquiry to the Grand Secretary General).
Any Brother wishing to visit a Chapter, or receive a visit from a member of a Chapter, in one of those jurisdictions with which the Supreme Council is in amity, other than Scotland, requires prior approval.
Throughout England and Wales and certain Districts and Chapters Overseas the Order is governed by the Supreme Council 33° whose headquarters are located at No. 10, Duke Street, St. James, London.
Regalia
In this Order, the only formal regalia is a collar to which in the 18°, is appended a complex jewel.
In most Masonic Orders, a black tie is worn. In this Order, this is discouraged as this is an Order of vision and resurrection.
A formal suit is usually worn with a smart tie (not too flashy). The collars or sashes, which are embroidered with exceptional beauty and complexity, display the rank from 18° through 30° to 31°, 32° and 33°.
In most Masonic Orders, a black tie is worn. In this Order, this is discouraged as this is an Order of vision and resurrection.
A formal suit is usually worn with a smart tie (not too flashy). The collars or sashes, which are embroidered with exceptional beauty and complexity, display the rank from 18° through 30° to 31°, 32° and 33°.
The Pelican In Its Piety
The character ascribed to the pelican is nearly as fabulous as that of the phoenix. From a clumsy, gluttonous, piscivorous water-bird, it was transformed by legend into a mystic emblem of Christ, whom Dante calls "Nostro Pelicano." St. Hieronymus gives the story of the pelican restoring its young ones destroyed by serpents as an illustration of the destruction of man by the old serpent and his salvation by the blood of Christ.
The Pelican in Christian Art is an emblem of Jesus Christ, by "whose blood we are healed." It is also a symbol of charity.
The "Bestiarum" says that Physiologus tells us that the pelican is very fond of its brood, but when the young ones begin to grow they rebel against the male bird and provoke his anger, so that he kills them; the mother returns to the nest in three days, sits on the dead birds, pours her blood over them, and they feed on the blood.
Heralds usually represent this bird with wings endorsed and neck embowed, wounding her breast with her beak. Very many early painters mistakenly represented it similar to an eagle, and not as a natural pelican, which has an enormous bag attached to the lower mandible, and extending almost from the point of the bill to the throat. When in her nest feeding her young with her blood, she is said to be in her piety.
The myth that pelicans feed their young with their blood arose from the following habit, on which the whole superstructure of fable has been erected: They have a large bag attached to their under-bill. When the parent bird is about to feed its brood, it macerates small fish in this bag or pouch; then, pressing the bag against its breast, transfers the macerated food to the mouths of the young ones.
It is said naturalists of old, observing that the pelican had a crimson stain on the tip of its beak, reported that it was accustomed to feed its young with the blood flowing from its breast, which it tore for the purpose. In this belief the Early Christians adopted the pelican to figure Christ, and set forth the redemption through His blood, which was willingly shed for us His children.
The Pelican in Christian Art is an emblem of Jesus Christ, by "whose blood we are healed." It is also a symbol of charity.
The "Bestiarum" says that Physiologus tells us that the pelican is very fond of its brood, but when the young ones begin to grow they rebel against the male bird and provoke his anger, so that he kills them; the mother returns to the nest in three days, sits on the dead birds, pours her blood over them, and they feed on the blood.
Heralds usually represent this bird with wings endorsed and neck embowed, wounding her breast with her beak. Very many early painters mistakenly represented it similar to an eagle, and not as a natural pelican, which has an enormous bag attached to the lower mandible, and extending almost from the point of the bill to the throat. When in her nest feeding her young with her blood, she is said to be in her piety.
The myth that pelicans feed their young with their blood arose from the following habit, on which the whole superstructure of fable has been erected: They have a large bag attached to their under-bill. When the parent bird is about to feed its brood, it macerates small fish in this bag or pouch; then, pressing the bag against its breast, transfers the macerated food to the mouths of the young ones.
It is said naturalists of old, observing that the pelican had a crimson stain on the tip of its beak, reported that it was accustomed to feed its young with the blood flowing from its breast, which it tore for the purpose. In this belief the Early Christians adopted the pelican to figure Christ, and set forth the redemption through His blood, which was willingly shed for us His children.
Why Join the Order?
If you are a member of the Craft and have been stimulated to desire an advancement in Masonic knowledge and friendship, the Order of the 'Rose Croix' will not only offer those rewards, but will extend your commitment to the principles of Freemasonry whilst giving the inner satisfaction of progress in the Christian virtues of Faith, of Hope and of Charity.
If you wish to join, or would like further information, please contact us via the contact page.
If you wish to join, or would like further information, please contact us via the contact page.
Candidate Qualifications
Requirements
- Profess a belief in the Trinitarian Christian Faith
- Have been Master Mason for at least one year
Regalia
The regalia used in this Order signifies the 18° known as Rose Croix
The Higher Degrees, namely 30°, 31°, 32° and 33° each have different regalia, depicting the symbolism of each Degree.
The Higher Degrees, namely 30°, 31°, 32° and 33° each have different regalia, depicting the symbolism of each Degree.
The 18° collar
18° Regalia
The 18degree collar is a beautiful & richly colourful, elegantly designed double sided collar with ornate embroidery depicting the degree symbolism.
30° Regalia
The 18degree collar is a beautiful ornate double sided collar with richly colourful embroidery depicting the degree symbolism.
31° Regalia
The 18degree collar is a beautiful ornate double sided collar with richly colourful embroidery depicting the degree symbolism.
32° Regalia
The 18degree collar is a beautiful ornate double sided collar with richly colourful embroidery depicting the degree symbolism.
33° Regalia
The 18degree collar is a beautiful ornate double sided collar with richly colourful embroidery depicting the degree symbolism.