As we move into the second half of the Masonic Year 2024 – 2025, the Corps of Grand Lecturers are optimistic that our Grand Master’s theme “Let there be more Men in the Light, let there be more Light among Masons” as supported by the three (3) Speculative Framework: EDUCATION, ENLIGHTENMENT, & EQUILIBRIUM have grown into the hearts and minds of all Masons in our jurisdiction.
Our Masonic Education Lecture this November tackles the importance of electing and installing Lodge Officers and their impact on Masonic ENLIGHTENMENT. We call on both outgoing and incoming Masters to pay due attention.
Landmark Tenth of the 25 Landmarks in our jurisdiction states the congregation of a Lodge, by a Master and two Wardens and the presence of the three is essential to a valid masonic organization. In our Masonic Law Book, the Officers shall be the Master, Senior & Junior Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, Auditor, Chaplain, Marshal, Senior & Junior Deacons, Senior & Junior Stewards, Tyler and such other officers as its by-laws may provide (Part II Ordinances / Article I - Organization of a Lodge / Sec. 8).
A Lodge needs to elect seven (7) Key Officers by ballot at the Stated Meeting in December: The Worshipful Master who “should have served as warden” (HSAW) or a Past Master is the highest officer elected in a Lodge of Master Masons; the next three can be elected from the floor – the Senior and Junior Wardens and Treasurer; while the last three officers – the Secretary, Auditor, and Harmony Officer are to be elected among the Past Masters of the Lodge. Except for the Junior Deacon who is to be hand-picked by the Senior Warden as his aide, the other Appointed Lodge Officers are chosen at the will and pleasure of the Master-Elect.
Following the IMES certification and the District’s Exemplification process for newly elected Master and Wardens of subordinate Lodges, all Elected and Appointed Officers shall be installed not later than March 31 of each year. They are to hold office until their successors are elected and installed.
Proper Etiquette and Prescribed Protocols in a Masonic Lodge in accordance
with the Manual on Public Liturgy and these guidelines
The next portion of this lecture is close to the heart of our Grand Master. Before his ascent to the Grand Oriental Chair, MW Ariel T. Cayanan has been invited to numerous Lodge Installations throughout the jurisdiction. During these events he has only become too aware that certain lodges tend to deviate from established Installation Rituals. Such deviations are detrimental to the preservation of our Masonic Traditions. Thus, in response to the growing threat of these confusion caused by violations and innovations from our Installation Rituals, Past Masters who intend to be Installing Officers, Masters of Ceremonies, and Assistant Masters of Ceremonies are now required to attend an IMES-sponsored classes appertaining to Installation of Lodge Officers to help ensure uniformity in the conduct of Installation Rituals for each subordinate lodge this coming Installation season between January to March 2025 and beyond. A total of 8 classes are to be conducted between September to November 2024. Together with the Past Master’s Degree, these special classes are delivered a day before the Multi-District Conventions in eight of the nine concurrent jurisdictions:
REGION DATE LOCATION ORGANIZING DISTRICT
Northern Luzon Sept 06 Echague, Isabela RII Isabela Central
Central Luzon Sept 13 SMX, Clark, Pampanga RIII Pampanga
Visayas Oct 11 Boracay Island RVI Panay
Northern Mindanao Oct 18 Cagayan De Oro City RX CDO Central
Southern Mindanao Nov 08 SMX, Davao City RXI Davao del Sur & Davao City
Western Mindanao Nov 15 Pagadian City RIX Zamboanga del Sur & Sibugay
Southern Luzon Nov 22 Marikina City RIV Rizal
National Capital Region Nov 29 GLP Manila NCR-B
Only Past Masters who have attended any of the above IMES Classes shall be accredited by the Grand Lodge to participate in the upcoming Installation Ceremonies.
The Masonic Installation Program is generally divided into three portions: The Opening of the Lodge, the Installation Proper, and the Conclusion of the Proceedings. The basic premise of the event is the transition of lodge authority between the outgoing Lodge Officers headed by the outgoing Worshipful Master, the hold-over powers of the Installing Team, and the incoming Lodge Officers led by the Master-Elect.
PROTOCOL - Opening of the Lodge
It must be emphasized that during the first part of the program or the opening of the lodge, the outgoing Master is still the person in authority. It is still in his power to open a Lodge of Master Masons which he must perform properly and ON TIME. Should the Installation Ceremony be done in public form, the Worshipful Master will announce that “the Lodge is now open on the 3rd degree of masonry in public form”. When conducted in a Masonic Temple, the Inner Door of the preparation room must be locked at all times.
If the Stated Meeting of the Lodge is scheduled on the same date as the Installation, the Transaction of Business ought to take precedence before the Installation Proper to be presided by the outgoing Worshipful Master.
Should the outgoing Master desire to present certificates, tokens, and/or mementos, it is best presented before he steps down from office as it will be the last document that he will issue from that office. The outgoing Lodge Secretary should also affix his signature in attestation.
PROTOCOL - Installation Proper
During the Installation Proper – while there is a transition in power between the outgoing and incoming Lodge Officers, the Installing Officer shall preside with the assistance of the Master of Ceremonies. During this critical interval, he is the de facto person in authority. Entering from the Northside, he receives the gavel of authority from the Outgoing Master. After setting the craft from labor to refreshment should exit on the left side of the Master’s table. Throughout the whole Installation Ceremony, IO should stand on the South side of East station.
As stipulated in Edict No. 238 of MW Gonzales, “Any Installing Officer who shall make any significant innovation or in deviation from the approved ritual of installation, in the course of presiding over the Installation Ceremonies, shall be held liable to sanctions by the Grand Lodge.” GLP Admin is currently working on defining the sanctions to be imposed to erring IOs.
It shall be the duty of the Installing Team to lead in the preservation of the solemnity of the ceremonies. They are to remind the assembly (both Brethren and Visitors) of basic lodge rules like observing silence; setting mobile phones in silent mode; NO crossing of the lights; minimizing goings and leavings inside the lodge; NO clapping until the proclamation; and other proper masonic etiquette.
During the Salute to the Flag, the Marshall must not move without the order of the Worshipful Master instructing the Bro. Marshall to “escort the flag to its proper place in the East”. In strict compliance to Philippine Heraldic Law – the proper place of the Philippine Flag should be on the same level the Worshipful Master’s Station (never below it).
Use of the proper term for the Grand Lodge Anthem - the official anthem of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines, commissioned by MW Reynato S. Puno, PGM in 1984 to VW Magdangal de Leon (Araw 18) and Bro. Jesus Elbinias (Hiram 88) is called Grand Lodge March (NOT Grand Lodge Hymn). When included in the program, the proper term should be written.
The Fifteen Ancient Charges and Regulations are to be read (not recited) by the Installing Officer, the Grand Master, or the DDGM on the third level in the East (never from the floor). A Masonic dignitary in the East may also be asked to perform this part on the south side of East station.
MASONIC ATTIRE and PARAPHERNALIA
Proper Masonic Attire is strictly required for this auspicious occasion (Edict No. 284). The Master Mason delivering Salute to the Flag must also be in proper Masonic Attire and NOT in any other costume.
The use of the proper lodge paraphernalia like collars, jewels, and aprons according to Part II, Article XIX C. Subordinate Lodge Official Regalia (Sections 18, 19, 23, and 24) of the Masonic Law Book should be strictly observed. The brazen practice of certain lodges using collars similar to the Grand Lodge Official Regalia which in our jurisdiction is reserved only for elected Grand Lodge Officers must stop! Lodges caught violating the above constitutional statutes shall be sanctioned by the Grand Lodge.
The Installing Team composed of the Installing Officer (I.O.), Master of Ceremonies (M.C.), and Assistant Master of Ceremonies (aMC) who by ritual presented the erroneous paraphernalia are to be penalized by the Grand Lodge and their accreditation to participate in future installations of lodge officers revoked. Likewise, District Officers composed of the District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM), Grand Lodge Inspector (GLI), and District Grand Lecturers (DGL) who allowed the blatant use of erroneous paraphernalia shall be also be sanctioned for neglect of duty.
The investing of Jewels should be done by the Installing Officer or by the Master of Ceremonies ONLY. The Installing Team should not allow any family member to be near the Altar during the obligation and the investiture.
The correct floor works for the Proper and Uniform Surrendering of Jewels is being taught at the IMES Session prior to the Multi-District Conventions. They are to be cascaded later among subordinate lodges.
During Installation, the IO first presents the gavel to the Worshipful Master. He removes his hat, then puts on the hat on the head of the Worshipful Master and thus states; “Wearing your hat demonstrates the authority of your position and distinguishes the brother occupying the Oriental Chair from the rest of the brethren, who shall remain uncovered.” (Edict 216 -Soriano)
Only the brethren of the Lodge salute the newly installed Worshipful Master.
MC should be coming from the NE corner of the Lodge, by way of N going to the Altar in a square and makes the proclamation. Applause should be given ONLY after the Proclamation at the Altar of the Master of Ceremonies.
PROTOCOL - Conclusion of the Proceedings
Once the Lodge Officers have been declared duly installed, the new Worshipful Master is now the person in authority. From this point until the next Lodge Installation, the new Master of the Lodge will have command responsibility of the lodge from which he was called to preside.
Whenever the Grand Master is present, he should be the Guest of Honor and Speaker. When selecting speakers, care should be taken that their remarks be not offensive to any person, class, religion or politics. The Worshipful Master should not allow any master mason, masonic official or dignitary to speak after the Grand Master, his Representative, or the DDGM has spoken - except on matters requiring brief presentation of tokens. Both Masons or Guests are not allowed to leave during speeches.
It is now proper that the certificates, tokens, and/or mementos that will be presented be signed by the new person in authority. As it will be the first document that WM will issue from that office, the new Lodge Secretary should also affix his signature as an attestation.
The Festive Board
Another solemn part of the event that has taken for granted is the Fellowship Portion. It is timely that these two issues should be considered seriously especially by the new brother in authority:
ONE - Freemasons have been trained to temper the limits of their behavior by not over indulging in libations (alcohol consumption). It is the obligation of each Craftsman to practice the Five Points of Fellowship should they see some of their brothers and fellows who failed to guard against intemperance and excess.
TWO - It is also un-masonic behavior for Masons to force visitors, observers, or candidates to consume alcoholic beverages under the threat of rejection. Edict No. 328 by MW Suan has long been in force and have sanctioned many masons, lodge officers, and even lodges in violation thereof.
A stern reminder to incoming Masters of Lodges - once you and your fellow Lodge Officers have been declared duly installed, you as the Worshipful Master is now the highest officer within your lodge and from this point until the next Installation, will have command responsibility of the lodge from which you have been called to preside.
INITIAL PREPARATIONS
To ensure conformity with the approved ritual, the program of the Installation Ceremonies should be submitted by the Master-elect for approval in writing by the DDGM not later than 15 days before the event. The Program Invitation must not include the reception of the Grand Master or any Masonic Dignitary unless he has accepted the invitation to attend. As an integral part of the preparation, a Lodge of Instruction (LoI) or Masonic Rehearsal should be done prior to actual date of the Installation Ceremony.
Only ONE set of Lodge Officers are to be installed in an event. Joint Installation is strictly prohibited.
PHRASEOLOGY - Dropping the use of the word EMCEE. Popularized in the 1930s, the term is a representation of the letters “MC” which is an abbreviation for the Master of Ceremonies. Although it generally refers to the official host of a ceremony, staged event, conference, convention, or other similar performance - in Freemasonry however, the Master of Ceremonies or MC has a distinct role during the Installation Ritual. In the program however, emcee is also used to refer to the host which has a different function. As both words MC and emcee are pronounced the same and can be confusing in the conduct of the event, the term “emcee”, spelled “e-m-c-e-e” should be dropped in the Installation Program and substituted instead by the term Program Host.
The Musical Director should only use music that is appropriate for an Installation Ceremony. Music that will illicit comedic, disturbing, or negative reactions before the assembly should be avoided. Musical Selection can be downloaded from the GLP Website.
C O N C L U S I O N
The installation of lodge officers is a significant ceremony in Freemasonry, marking the transition of leadership and responsibilities within a lodge. The event reaffirms the lodge's mission, strengthens camaraderie, and inspires new leaders to advance Masonic Ideals. It ensures continuity and stability of the fraternity; transfers authority and responsibilities to new leaders; symbolizes the cycle of growth and renewal; reaffirms membership commitment to Masonic Principles; provides an opportunity for reflection and rededication; strengthens bonds among members through participation; and lastly - it celebrates leadership, service, and dedication.
As Masons, importance should be given to each portion of the installation ceremony: From the ritualistic proceedings, oaths and obligations, presentations of symbols and regalia, to addresses and charges, and last but not the least – the Festive board or banquet celebrations. No deviations are to be done to preserve tradition.
By re-educating the brethren, especially our Past Masters who are responsible for the Installing the Lodge Officers of their respective lodges for the ensuing Masonic Year, our uniform Installation Program can bring about enlightenment among those present. When done with fervency and zeal, the phenomenon can lead to Masonic Equilibrium for Masonry in General and each Worshipful Lodge in particular.
GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR LECTURERS
Note: DGL’s answers to these questions shall be among their contributions to the Lecture:
- Have you witnessed any violation or innovation during an Installation Ceremony?
What was your impression of it? How did the guests (brethren and visitor) react to it?
- Cite 2 or 3 deviation or innovation that you have witnessed in an Installation Ceremony.
What do you think is the motivation behind the deviation? Was it worth it?