ABOUT US
|
|
The Royal Arch
is the continuation of Craft Freemasonry. Its members, called Companions, meet
in Chapters under a Grand Chapter. Chapters are ruled over by three
Principals, who rule conjointly, and the Grand Chapter is ruled over by three
Grand Principals, with a Deputy First Grand Principal to share the workload
of the First Grand Principal. Chapters are
grouped into Provinces and Districts where there are enough, or report
straight to Grand Chapter when there are fewer. Provincial and District Grand
Chapters are ruled over by a Grand Superintendent who is appointed by the
First Grand Principal as his personal representative for the particular area. In Spain the
Royal Arch has four ceremonies: the exaltation ceremony to bring in new
members and an installation ceremony for each of the three Principals. The
exaltation ceremony is in two parts: a rather dramatic presentation of the
principles of the Order followed by three Lectures in which the history,
symbolism and principles of the Royal Arch are further explained. Like Craft
Freemasonry, the Royal Arch is open to men of all faiths. In Spain, the
Royal Arch is considered to be the completion of "pure ancient
Masonry". In the Craft the candidate is presented with a series of
eminently practical principles and tenets which if he practices them he may
hope to live a life of service to his fellow man. But man is not simply a
practical being; he has an essential spiritual aspect to his nature. That
spiritual aspect is introduced in the Third Degree, in which the candidate is
led to a contemplation of man's inevitable destiny, and becomes the central
message of the Royal Arch. In that sense, "pure ancient Masonry"
can be seen as a journey of self - knowledge and discovery with the Royal
Arch completing the practical lessons of the Craft by a contemplation of
man's spiritual nature, not replacing but reinforcing and supporting what he
has learned from his religion. Qualifications
for Membership of the Holy Royal Arch :- A Master
Mason and a SUBSCRIBING member of a REGULAR Craft Lodge recognised by the
Grand Lodge of Spain. In the Book
of Constitutions there is a preliminary declaration which reads:- “Pure Ancient
Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, viz; those of the Entered
Apprentice, the Fellow Craft and the Master Mason, including the Supreme
Order of the Holy Arch” Once you have
received the three Degrees, you have become eligible to complete your Masonic
course by acquiring the Holy Royal Arch Order. Royal Arch
Masonry is not a separate degree, but is the completion of the third and a
Master Mason’s experience is not comprehensive until he has been exalted into
his Supreme Order which comprises the climax of Masonry. The Order is
not conferred in the Craft Lodge but in another assembly called a Chapter
which is attached to a Craft Lodge and whose members are referred to as Companions.
The Chapter is subordinate to the Supreme Grand Chapter of Spain and its
officials are the same as those of the Grand Lodge of Spain. Further fees are
necessary, although less in amount. |
