| 1. |
York Rite Masonry greatly expands and clarifies the teachings of Craft Masonry.
|
|
The events commemorated in the York Rite Degrees, like those of the Symbolic Lodge, pertain to the building, completion, and dedication of King Solomon’s Temple. In the York Rite, we discover what happened after the Temple tragedy, and thus, the legacy of Hiram is taken to a very meaningful conclusion. |
| 2. |
The Degrees are conferred in a Blue Lodge setting, and are directly tied to the teachings of the Blue Lodge.
|
|
The ceremonies of the York Rite are similar to what you have already experienced in your Lodge. The lessons are conveyed as ritual dramas, very much like the Master Mason Degree. Every Degree conferred in a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons has a familiar connection to and greatly expands your understanding of the lessons which were introduced to you in the Blue Lodge. |
| 3. |
The True Word of a Master Mason is discovered and explained.
|
|
The Degrees of the Chapter revolve around one great central archetype — the True Word. In the Lodge, that Word was lost. It is re-discovered in the York Rite, and a powerful explanation is finally given as to its importance, meaning, and significance to Masonry. |
| 4. |
The real wages paid by the Senior Warden are revealed.
|
|
The duties of the Senior Warden are explained at the opening of every Lodge. Among other things, it is he who pays wages on behalf of the Master. In the Mark Master Degree, we learn what these wages actually are in the eyes of the Grand Architect of the Universe, and how they are dispensed. |
| 5. |
The building of King Solomon’s Temple is completed and a profound mystery is unveiled.
|
|
In the Most Excellent Master Degree, we learn that every monument of beauty, each human achievement, regardless of how superbly planned, erected, and perfected, is not truly complete until a great secret is unveiled in the soul of its builder. |
| 6. |
An obligation every Master Mason takes at the altar of Freemasonry is finally met.
|
|
Every Master Mason promises, at the altar of Freemasonry, to conform to and abide by the Ancient Landmarks of Freemasonry. It is through the Royal Arch Degree of the York Rite that the Second Landmark, which was adopted at the formation of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1813, is finally fulfilled. |
| 7. |
It broadens one’s fraternal participation and involvement.
|
|
Each brother’s individual and spiritual growth is greatly facilitated through Masonic experiences which he enjoys beyond his home Lodge. As his Masonic world expands, his knowledge of Masonry and its many benefits greatly increases. |
| 8. |
It expands opportunities to make connections and forge Masonic friendships beyond your community and state.
|
|
The universal love and practice of Brotherhood is truly discovered when one travels to other communities, states, and foreign countries. There one discovers that there are no strangers in Freemasonry. |
| 9. |
It provides occasions for further group and self-study of important Masonic themes and traditions.
|
|
Masonry is steeped in traditions. In the journey of the Blue Lodge, we learned about the Initiatic tradition, the Knowledge tradition, and the Hiramic tradition; to name but a few. In the York Rite, we learn about the Mark tradition, the Royal Arch tradition, the Secret Vault tradition, and the Knighthood tradition. All of these traditions add significantly to our understanding of who we are and what we are to be doing with our life. |
| 10. |
It makes one a member of the oldest Rite in Freemasonry.
|
|
There is no older tradition in all of Masonry than that of the Mark Degrees of Operative Masonry. The York Rite is the only Rite of Freemasonry that makes this important connection to our operative ancestors of the Middle Ages. |
