Message from the Sublime Council of the Modern Rite of Ecuador, 2013

Message for 2013
Sublime Council Modern Rite of Ecuador (SCRME)

My Dear Brothers:. & Sisters :. all and Readers in general:

It was only in the middle of 2011 that  the Modern Rite Sublime Council for Ecuador (SCRME) was created, with the stated mission of encouraging the growth of French Modern Rite Craft Lodges and Sovereign Chapters of male, female and mixed membership, working respectively, and on a regular basis, according to custom and rituals, and in order to transmit the values emanating from the Grand Chaptre General of France between 1784 and 1786 for the Orders of Wisdom and of Regulation conducted within the Grand Orient of France from 1783-1786 for the Symbolic Degrees of Freemasonry, and share the fruits of this work and research, meeting and joint exchange to offer Masons of all persuasions, jurisdictions, or Lodges, Federations of free and sovereign Lodges, knowledge of the days and places where they can experience the fraternity of the Valley or Orient they wish to visit, provided they have the required grades in relation to the work they wish to participate.

However, this mission could not be achieved if we did not start with the promotion of Freemasonry in its original form from its roots, and this is why it la Gran Logia Mixta de los Andes Ecuatoriales (GLMAE) was created for that purpose, thereby closing the training circle ffrom blue Freemasonry, to the philosophical degrees, while this benefit is provided with a transnational constitution, not to grab territory in Masonic politics; as we view the world being large enough so that all organizations which capable of doing so can coexist without selfishness or prominence of any kind.

During this time, a total of 7 Lodges distributed in different geographical locations have joined the GLMAE :

R.L. Manuelita Sáenz No. 1, ubicada al Or. de Quito, Ecuador

R.L. Mariscal Antonio José de Sucre No. 2, al Or. de Barcelona, Spain.

R.L. Lux Veritatis No. 3, al Or. de Terrasssa, Spain.

R.L. Andrés Ibáñez No. 4, al Or. de Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.

R.L. Les Amis Réunis No. 5, al Or. de Veracruz, México.

R.L. Équitas No. 6, al Or. de México D.F., México.

R.L. de Investigación "Los Modernos" No. 7, al Or. de Asturias, Spain.

On the level of Philosophical Grades, the following have been received:

S.C. Jean Pierre Graffin No. 1, en los VV. de Quito, Ecuador.

S.C. Eloy Alfaro No. 2, en los VV. de Barcelona, España.

S.C. Veritas No. 3, en los VV. de México D.F., México.

In addition to its V° Order Assembly, the Grand Council of Kadosh Gr 8 and a Sublime Council Gr. 9, are located in the Valley of San Francisco de Quito, a city where the GLMAE and SCRME historically have had their administrative headquarters.

On this occasion, I would like on behalf of the G:.M:. of the GLMAE, and the Supreme Commander of the SCRME, to bring to each and every one of you, citizens of the world, the most sincere wishes for the welfare and prosperity for the new year 2013, both personally, and on behalf of each of the members that make up our Lodges and Chapters, committing every day to work "for the moral and material improvement of mankind", a process that takes shape only through constant effort, which we are called to glorify.

We desire that henceforth our world begins to achieve that much desired awakening of consciousness, for which all call.


Fraternally:

M:.M:. Yuguito
(OEVR - V:.M:.I:. )
V° Ord:. - Gr:. 9
S:.G:.M:. de la Gran Logia Mixta de los Andes Ecuatoriales
Sup:. Com:. Del Sublime Consejo del Rito Moderno para el Ecuador

¡Toque aquí para leer este mensaje en español!

Superbowls, Mercedes Benz, and Hitler - a history of Anti-masonry

I thought for a while before adding my voice to the chorus of my fellow masonic bloggers offering objections to the by now infamous Super Bowl ad for Mercedes Benz which placed a masonic ring on Satan's finger. This was not because I was insufficiently outraged by the way in which Mercedes Benz so easily took up an old Nazi tactic of defaming Freemasonry, but because I wanted to add something new to the discussion rather than simply repeating what was already being so effectively stated by my friends and fellow masons. In casting about for something to write about, I landed upon Bro. Cooper's book, "The Red Triangle." Robert Cooper, of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, was it has been suggested, was inspired to write this book out of outrage over the abuse of the Craft after the Dunblane Massacre in Scotland. The English and Scottish Media suggested, incorrectly as it turns out, that the perpetrator was associated with Freemasonry.  In spite of Bro. Cooper's book, Freemasonry continues to be low hanging fruit for a sensationalist press culture which most recently presented dramatic scandals as a result of the criminal activities of the Rupert Murdoch investigations.

In the United States, Freemasonry managed to avoid persecution in the 20th Century, although in nearby Mexico, right wing anti-masonic activity did occur during WWII. The Nazis claimed that high degree Masons were willing members of "the Jewish conspiracy" and that Freemasonry was one of the causes of Germany's loss of the First World War. In Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler wrote that Freemasonry has been infiltrated by Jewish instigators and had become an "excellent instrument" to fight for their goals and to use their connections and influence to involve the upper classes in their imagined plots. 

Anti-masonic Hoodie

To those who are eager to dismiss references to the Nazi's, which admittedly are abused as a comparison by our politicians, let me quote a 1994 article by Paul Bessell ( http://bessel.org/naziartl.htm ) where he notes that even within the last 20 years, powerful individuals in the United States have targeted Freemasonry as dangerous or anti-social, or even totally evil:

"In 1991 Pat Robertson, who has a good deal of influence in the United States, published The New World Order. In that book he attempted to exonerate individual Masons, but condemned "the Masonic connection" with phrases such as Masonic power, dark side, international conspiracy, occult, Rothschilds, Jews, wealth, secret society, and world power. Others also attack Masonry today as allegedly promoting devil worship, leading religious men away from the "right" way to find God, or being inconsistent with the religious beliefs of certain denominations. These people who attack Masonry with exaggerated language, and without accepting reasonable explanations of what Freemasonry really is, would probably say that their use of language about Masonry that is strikingly similar to that which was used by the Nazis and other vicious attackers of Freemasonry in the past does not mean that they are following in the footsteps of the Nazis. But certainly fair people would understand that those who have suffered so much persecution and death at the hands of people who used this type of language would rightly be very frightened to see it being used in America in the 1990's. It is difficult to believe that the lessons of such a recent past may already be forgotten."

Robert L.D. Cooper

Ironically, as Bro. Cooper points out, an institution which has contributed so much to the positive innovations of the modern world democracy, science, and humanitarian principles, continues to be targeted. It makes sense when you realize those who slander Freemasonry are those who oppose a more liberal and free society. 

Today, in Europe, Freemasonry is experiencing fresh growth in countries where it had been repressed such as Spain and Romania, where totalitarian regimes had banned Freemasonry for decades. With the end of the Franco regime in Spain and the fall of Communism in Romania, and elsewhere, Freemasonry has begun an enthusiastic revival.

If there is a single message that sounds clearly through the very engaging and passionate writing of Robert Cooper, it is that if Jews throughout the world can rally behind the notion that the horrors of the Holocaust must not be forgotten, Freemasons must be cognizant of their own history of persecution and must not remain silent in the face of such aggression when it occurs today.

Templar Chant — Salve Regina

Feeling in a medieval state of mind, I thought I would share this antique beauty with you all tonight. Sometimes it is just healthy to escape the modern world, and what better way to do it than through music? Consider this then, a meditation to cleanse yourself of the ills of modernity at least for a while.


Popular tradition concerning this Marian antiphon is that it was written to be used by the crusaders. It has also been attributed to Adhémar, Bishop of Podium (Puy-en-Velay), whence it has been styled  Antiphona de Podio (Anthem of Le Puy). Adhémar was the first to ask permission to go on the crusade, and the first to receive the cross from Pope Urban II.   Before his departure, towards the end of October, 1096, he composed the war-song of the crusade, in which he asked the intercession of the Queen of Heaven, the Salve Regina (Migne,   Dict. des Croisades , s. v. Adhémar).

Salve, Regina
Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae;
vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae.
Ad te suspiramus gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia ergo, advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.
O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.
V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix.
R. Ut digni efficamur promissionibus Christi.
Oremus. Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui gloriosae Virginis Matris Mariae corpus et animam, ut dignum Filii tui habitaculum effici mereretur, Spiritu Sancto cooperante, praeparasti, da, ut cuius commemoratione laetamur; eius pia intercessione, ab instantibus malis et a morte perpetua liberemur. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

(Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,

our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve;
to thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us;
and after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Pray for us O holy Mother of God,
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Almighty, everlasting God, who by the co-operation of the Holy Spirit didst prepare the body and soul of the glorious Virgin-Mother Mary to become a dwelling-place meet for thy Son: grant that as we rejoice in her commemoration; so by her fervent intercession we may be delivered from present evils and from everlasting death. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.)

Thanks to Mary Armstrong.

Book Review: La Masonería by Pedro González Blanco

The Gonzalez brothers are natives of Luanco (Asturias). Pedro Gonzaléz Blanco wrote a book entitled Freemasonry in 1933. It is being republished by the journal FREEMASONRY, presented by the Club del Diario La Nueva España de Gijon, on Thursday February 7, 2013.

Why this book?

Maybe the best justification for this book being reissued is that Pedro Gonzaléz Blanco, both a writer and translator, belongs to a famous family of writers born in Gijon (Asturias). After his university studies and adventures in Madrid he commenced a random existential journey through Latin America. He then settled again in Spain to begin his Masonic career (1930-1939), joining the Lodge of the Worshipful Union of the Grand Orient of Spain (GOE), located in the valley of Madrid.

Along with Brothers Serradel, Benlliure, etc ... and others he co-founded and launched other lodges within the GOE and the Spanish Grand Lodge (GLE).  He wrote this brief work FREEMASONRY , a synthesis of his thinking about Freemasonry and its historiographical developments for Latomia magazine, along with several other successful titles.

Perhaps his work is best explained in his own words :

"Más anda tan pobre la bibliografía masónica por tierras de España, que aumentarla con esta poquedad más, no me parecido del todo desconcertado.

Lean estas páginas los que conocen del arte real, advertidos de lo poco que valen. Y si los enterados sacan de ellas alguna sugestión, o siquiera alguna noticia, se dará por harto satisfecho"

(Masonic literature treats little on matters in Spain, which if that makes this small contribution of value, I will not feel entirely embarrassed.

Read these pages concerning the royal art, aware of their limited value. And if aware of this, you still receive some ideas, or even any wisdom, I will be satisfied)

It has been Victor Guerra's intention with this expanded edition of this book "Masonry" to make available the works of a renouned Asturian Mason, Pedro Gonzalez Blanco (1879-1961) from Luonco, who besides having an eventful life, has been an illustrious Masonic thinker who contributed significantly to the magazine Latomia (1932-1934) and this book.

But Pedro González Blanco is more than just a standard writer of bland matters of Masonic obligations and advice, the sort of pablum filled with down home and folksy commentary that all to often in the US at least passes for philosophy. He went far further and if you scan the covers of the Masonic magazine  Latomia,  in which he published several papers, you will note one in particular,  Historical Corrections, it is clear that his views were not appreciated in some circles, which of course make them all the more valuable. According to Pedro Gonzalez:

"No branch of history more needed to rectify its mistakes than that of the history of Freemasonry. The secrecy that the brotherhood required and the disappearance of far too many files had been fertile ground for all sorts of fantasies and invective: Diaz Perez, the so-called "Jhon Truth", Morayta, los modernos Usero, Suárez, Guillén y Díaiz did not contribute more work than copying Thory, specifically Fidel and Clavel,. Without Acta Latomorun Truht and Pérez Díaz would have written nothing and Morayta most of the time consulted nothing, attributing to Masonry features which often didn't exist. Other authors cited that revolve around these three or four 'historians.'"

Without going into greater detail, it may be some small consolation to North American freemasons to realize that they are not alone in the world in having problems in producing real history. We in North America are not the only masons to have fallen into the trap of producing fiction instead of history. Let us take a look at those works and those masons who were willing, where ever we may find them, to produce an accurate and critical examination of masonic history, as opposed to books full of wishful thinking and fantasy.

Pedro Gonzaléz Blanco, was one such masonic historian.

To find and order this book (we do not yet have it available in English) visit:

http://www.masonica.es/

All thanks due to Victor Guerra who produced a solid introduction to this new edition.

Derwyddiaeth brawdol yng Nghymru - Fraternal Druidism in Wales

Reviving Fraternal Druidism in Wales 
Adfywio Derwyddiaeth brawdol yng Nghymru


GLAMORGAN LODGE No: 743
of the Ancient Order of Druids (Founded in 1781)
"Reviving Fraternal Druidism in Wales"

Ancient Order of Druids - Glamorgan Lodge No.743 are reviving fraternal druidism in Wales with the re-consecration of the ancient Glamorgan Lodge. Glamorgan Lodge No.74 was one of the earliest AOD Lodges in South Wales, its charter being issued around 1888. The Glamorgan Lodge used to meet at the Stag & Hounds Inn, Cardiff. At one time there were many lodges of the Ancient Order of Druids in Wales and the United Kingdom, unfortunately, many lodges had dis-banded and were closed many years ago, and of the 15 remaining lodges in the UK these are mostly in the Birmingham, Coventry, Great Yarmouth and Kent areas. Globally, the Ancient Order of Druids has a very well established structure of lodges in many countries.

This is the parent and founding order of the modern Druidic Societies, and was revived in the year 1781. Its object is to preserve and practise the main principles attributed to the early Druids, particularly those of justice, benevolence and friendship.

Since its revival the order has adapted itself to modern conditions whilst still preserving most of its original characteristics. The basic pattern of justice, benevolence and harmony, however, remains the foundation upon which the order rests. It has lodges in many parts of England, and close contact with "The International Order" throughout the world.

The AOD is not a religious organization - in fact any discussion on religion or politics is forbidden within the lodge rooms. They run their own Convalescent Home Fund for the benefit of members and their wives, there is also an Annuitants Fund for brethren in need.

If you are in Wales and interested in helping them revive fraternal druidism in Wales 
then please contact: dyn.parry@blue-cross.org.uk

http://www.aod-grand-lodge-thanet.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AOD.Glamorgan.Lodge743/



The International Order:
http://www.igld.org/index.html

Aniversario 160 del Natalicio de Jose Marti

28 de Enero 2013. Aniversario 160 del Natalicio de José Julián Martí Pérez.

(La Habana, Cuba, 28 de enero de 1853 - Dos Ríos, Cuba, 19 de mayo de 1895) fue un político republicano democrático, pensador, periodista, filósofo y poeta cubano de origen español , creador del Partido Revolucionario Cubano y organizador de la Guerra del 1895 o Guerra Necesaria. Perteneció al movimiento literario del modernismo.

Además de destacado ideólogo y político, José Martí fue uno de los más grandes poetas hispanoamericanos y la figura más destacada de la etapa de transición al modernismo, que en América supuso la llegada de nuevos ideales artísticos.

(January 28, 1853 - May 19, 1895) is a Cuban national hero and an important figure in Latin American literature. In his short life he was a poet, an essayist, a journalist, a revolutionary philosopher, a translator, a professor, a publisher, and a political theorist. Most North Americans are familiar with his lyrics for the song "Guantanamera." He was also a member of the Cuban Freemasons and a supporter of La Orden de los Caballeros de la Luz (The Order of the Kinights of the Light) founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1873. Through his writings and political activity, he became a symbol for Cuba's bid for independence against Spain in the 19th century, and is referred to as the "Apostle of Cuban Independence." He also fought against the threat of United States expansionism into Cuba. From adolescence, he dedicated his life to the promotion of liberty, political independence for Cuba and intellectual independence for all Spanish Americans; his death was used as a cry for Cuban independence from Spain by both the Cuban revolutionaries and those Cubans previously reluctant to start a revolt.

Born in Havana, Martí began his political activism at an early age. He would travel extensively in Spain, Latin America, and the United States raising awareness and support for the cause of Cuban independence. His unification of the Cuban émigré community, particularly in Florida, was crucial to the success of the Cuban War of Independence against Spain. He was a key figure in the planning and execution of this war, as well as the designer of the Cuban Revolutionary Party and its ideology. He died in military action on May 19, 1895.

International Conference on the History of Freemasonry 2013

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY
FREEMASONS' HALL, 96 GEORGE STREET, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
24 MAY- 26 MAY 2013


The first International Conference on the History of Freemasonry was held in 2007 to establish whether or not Freemasonry could be considered a single separate subject worthy of its own platform. It is now clear based on the successes of ICHF 2007, 2009 and 2011 that answer is a resounding, YES. Whilst the organisers welcome invitations from Masonic bodies throughout the world to host ICHF within their own locale, there is something comforting in bringing ICHF 2013 back to where it began; Freemasons' Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland. 2013 is significant in several respects, not least because it marks the 200th anniversary of the 1813 union of the two English Grand Lodges, the Ancient and Moderns, under the auspices of the Duke of Sussex (1773 - 1843). Undoubtedly a number of researchers will submit proposals for papers on this very subject.

Lodge Aitcheson's Haven
1813 also saw the admission of Lodge Aitcheson's Haven to The Grand Lodge of Scotland - the significance being that this Lodge's records are the oldest extant, commencing on 9th January 1599. As many are aware Edinburgh is known as the 'Athens of the North' due to its much admired architecture. Worthy also of note is that several famous architects who lived and worked in Edinburgh were indeed Freemasons, some examples being Robert and James Adam (1728 - 92 and 1732 - 94 respectively), Charles R. Cockerell (1788 - 1863), David Bryce (1803 - 76) and Sir Robert Lorimer (1864 - 1929). As stated definitively in the Statement of Purpose it is the intent of the Promoters, Supersonic Events Ltd., to ensure that any profits generated from these conferences are directed to and for the promotion of Freemasonry.

Young Researchers Fund
It is anticipated that the Promoters will shortly be in a position to create a Young Researchers Fund - details to follow in the Second Announcement.

Despite considerable rising costs to hold these events, the Organisers are pleased to announce that the cost of attending ICHF 2013 will be £250. The future of ICHF is bright as recent discussions have secured a Canadian venue for ICHF 2015. Further details of this and ICHF 2017 will be released in due course.

Held under the Patronage of:

Charles Iain R. Wolrige Gordon of Esslemont
The Grand Master Mason

J.M. Marcus Humphrey of Dinnet, C.B.E. O.St.J
The Sovereign Grand Commander of
The Supreme Council for Scotland of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite

Sir Archibald D. Orr Ewing, Bt. MA
The Deputy Grand Master and Governor of the Royal Order of Scotland

with the special Patronage of:
11th Earl of Elgin and 15th Earl of Kincardine, KT

and with the support of:    

       

The Academic Society for Research into Freemasonry and Fraternalism

Centre interdisciplinaire bordelais d'étude des lumières-Lumières Nature Société

Université de Bordeaux III Centre d'étude de la Littérature Françaises des XVIIe

et XVIIIe Siècles (CELLF)

Sorbonne IV. Paris Chair of Freemassonary, Faculty of Religious Studies

University of Leiden Centre de la Méditerrannée Moderne et Contemporaine

Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis, The Interdisciplinary Research Group Freemasonry

The Free University of Brussels

The conference is supported

by numerous academic institutions.

Conference promoted by:

Supersonic Events Ltd.

http://ichfonline.org/