Knowing that many guests to our wedding are not Masons, I
put together a little bit of information about the significance of our ceremony
supported by some Masonic history, its virtues and teachings to help prepare
you for the unique event that you are to be a part of.
An important thing to keep in mind is that this is not your
typical wedding ceremony. We are
fortunate that, as a matter of pure coincidence, our ceremony will be the first
of its kind. Until now, the concept of a
Masonic wedding ritual existed in European countries, but not in the United
States. The governing body of all
Masonic Lodges in a particular state, known as a Grand Lodge, has the final say
in which rituals the Lodges in that state can perform and how they are
performed. Therefore, even after the
ritual was adapted to conform to Nevada state marital law, it had to then be
tweaked to conform to the regulations of the Grand Lodge of Nevada. This process had already been conceived of
and set in motion by Worshipful Eric Madison, Master of Escurial Lodge No. 7 in
Virginia City. He worked hard to
implement this and we are grateful to be the first couple to have our wedding
conferred by the officers of the Lodge.
Whether you refer to them as Free & Accepted Masons
(F&AM), Freemasons or, simply, Masons, you would be talking about the same
fraternity. The lineage of masons can be
traced to the stonemasons of the middle ages who organized their guilds into
lodges and transferred their technical, practical skills in masonry to guiding
principles of life. Using tools such as
the square, plumb and level stonemasons are taught to turn rough stones into
perfectly smooth stones; each of which is intended to be a bonded with mortar
to other perfect stones in order complete a perfect structure built to last in
perpetuity. Applying these concepts to
life, we can see how smoothing the rough edges of men, binding them under the
principles of brotherly love and charity we end up with an organization built
to last with a strong foundation and morals that enable their combined
endeavors to succeed for the benefit of the greater good.
The first Grand Lodge of Freemasons was formed in England in
1717 marking the beginning of modern Masonic Lodges. Already an international organization, a
brother Mason from one lodge would be welcome in another lodge anywhere he was
to travel. The heavy use of symbols
helped bridge language barriers, while distinct gestures, challenges and
passwords, combined with secret handshakes would ensure that one brother mason
may know another without introduction.
These methods of identification also indicate which degree a mason
is. Modeled after the ancient
stonemasons, modern masons advance through 3 degrees: Entered Apprentice,
Fellowcraft and Master Mason.
Today, Freemasons uphold the traditions and values passed
down through the centuries and take the obligations they swore by
seriously. These obligations hold that
one brother Mason will always provide relief to another brother in need as well
as to his widow and orphans. Also, that
peace and harmony may be achieved through philanthropy and charity.
Our wedding ceremony will be officiated by the officers of
the lodge in Virginia City and will be sure to attract their own members, as
well as, members of the Grand Lodge of Nevada.
Our guests can expect hospitality and pride from the Masons present as
they welcome us into their home. Open
your mind; this will be unlike any wedding ceremony you have seen before!
What a wonderful honor for us all. I am grateful.
ReplyDeleteMomma Tina: Beautifully written! Thank you for providing this background information--it's fascinating. I look forward to being a part of this occasion, which is a milestone and historic on multiple levels!
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