Brethren and Sisters,
I would like to express my appreciation to the "MARCH GROUP" for a job well done at the FESTIVE BOARD during our stated meeting last Saturday, 13 March 2010. There is no doubt the brethren present were very pleased with the sumptuous food that your group have prepared for the evening.
Special thank you to your wives [Sis Irene, Sis Remy, Sis Chona] and other ladies [Sis Mila, Sis Eugene] who in one way or another helped and assisted in cooking, serving and washing the dishes. Also, I would like to thank the brethren for giving a helping hand putting away the tables and chairs, paving way for everyone to knock off early after a hectic day of preparation.
I trust that we will maintain helping each other to make job easier for everyone. I could not wait for the MAY GROUP (Bros Dobson, Elizes, Fidel, Flores & Ilaya) to show their "masterpiece" in cooking.
Sincerely & fraternally,
Rudy
------------------------------------
I would like to personally thank Bro Nomy Adriano, Bro Joel Cabides, Bro Butch Canicula, Bro Izzy De Guzman and Bro Manny Santos [who, despite his absence in the meeting helped in the preparation in the morning!] for helping out in the Festive Board. As always, we wouldn't have done all these without the support of the above ladies, our Junior Warden, WBro Rudy Romerosa, our WM, VWBro Manny Maniago and Bro Manny Placido for arranging the music and PA system.
Also thank you to all the brethren who attended and helped out in the Festive Board, it sure made the work easier because of your concerted effort. Rest assured we will also help out the next Festive Board group!
Regards,
Mario Jr
Monday, March 15, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Festive Board Committee Year 2010
As a result of last Sunday's Management meeting, our Junior Warden, WBro Rudy Romerosa formed a committee and groupings for the purpose of making everyone involved actively in the affairs of our Lodge.
Below is the group composition for the Festive Board for the year 2010. The group will be in charge of the following:
1. Coordinate with each group member the menu for the festive board.
2. Cook the menu for the festive board.
3. Set up the hall (tables and chairs).
4. Clean the hall after the festive board.
a) Place all tables in the trolley.
b) Stack all chairs.
c) Vacuum/sweep the floor.
d) Dispose all rubbish.
e) Wash all the dishes.
f) Clean the kitchen.
g) Switch off the fridge and aircon before knocking off.
h) Wash table clothes and hand it over to the next group in-charge of the festive board.
5. Prepare nibbles (finger food), drinks prior to the meeting.
6. Buy drinks (beer, wine, soft drinks and water).
MARCH GROUP:
1. BRO N ADRIANO
2. BRO M BAYLON JR
3. BRO J CABIDES
4. BRO E CANICULA
5. BRO I DE GUZMAN
MAY GROUP:
1. W BRO R DOBSON
2. BRO J ELIZES
3. BRO M FIDEL
4. W BRO V FLORES
5. BRO R ILAYA [off on holidays - need to swap with another brother]
JULY GROUP:
1. W BRO R MANARANG
2. BRO R MARTINEZ
3. W BRO H MATEO
4. BRO N OBRERO
5. BRO S PAJE
SEPTEMBER GROUP:
1. W BRO F PAMPLONA
2. RW BRO R PORRAS
3. BRO R PURIFICACION
4. BRO K REGALADO
5. BRO V REYES
NOVEMBER GROUP (INSTALLATION)
1. W BRO R ROMEROSA
2. BRO J ROSON
3. BRO A SAPUTIL
4. BRO A SESE
5. W BRO J STA MARIA
6. BRO URQUEZA
ENTERTAINMENT OFFICERS (SETTING UP THE PA SYSTEM AND MUSIC)
1. BRO M PLACIDO
2. BRO M SANTOS
NOTES:
1. EACH GROUP TO DESIGNATE THEIR OWN GROUP LEADER.
2. DESIGNATED GROUP LEADER TO LIAISE WITH THE JUNIOR WARDEN RE LOGISTICAL
SUPPORT.
3. THE GROUPINGS WILL BE REVIEWED EVERY YEAR FOLLOWING THE NOVEMBER
INSTALLATION.
4. EVERY BROTHER OF LJR IS EXPECTED TO EXTEND A HELPING HAND TO THE GROUP IN-CHARGE OF THE FESTIVE BOARD EVERY MEETING.
5. FOOD WARMERS ARE AVAILABLE IF NEEDED.
6. EVERY MEMBER OF LJR IS EXPECTED TO GET INVOLVE IN THE SMOOTH RUNNING OF THE LODGE.
Fraternally,
Rudy
Below is the group composition for the Festive Board for the year 2010. The group will be in charge of the following:
1. Coordinate with each group member the menu for the festive board.
2. Cook the menu for the festive board.
3. Set up the hall (tables and chairs).
4. Clean the hall after the festive board.
a) Place all tables in the trolley.
b) Stack all chairs.
c) Vacuum/sweep the floor.
d) Dispose all rubbish.
e) Wash all the dishes.
f) Clean the kitchen.
g) Switch off the fridge and aircon before knocking off.
h) Wash table clothes and hand it over to the next group in-charge of the festive board.
5. Prepare nibbles (finger food), drinks prior to the meeting.
6. Buy drinks (beer, wine, soft drinks and water).
MARCH GROUP:
1. BRO N ADRIANO
2. BRO M BAYLON JR
3. BRO J CABIDES
4. BRO E CANICULA
5. BRO I DE GUZMAN
MAY GROUP:
1. W BRO R DOBSON
2. BRO J ELIZES
3. BRO M FIDEL
4. W BRO V FLORES
5. BRO R ILAYA [off on holidays - need to swap with another brother]
JULY GROUP:
1. W BRO R MANARANG
2. BRO R MARTINEZ
3. W BRO H MATEO
4. BRO N OBRERO
5. BRO S PAJE
SEPTEMBER GROUP:
1. W BRO F PAMPLONA
2. RW BRO R PORRAS
3. BRO R PURIFICACION
4. BRO K REGALADO
5. BRO V REYES
NOVEMBER GROUP (INSTALLATION)
1. W BRO R ROMEROSA
2. BRO J ROSON
3. BRO A SAPUTIL
4. BRO A SESE
5. W BRO J STA MARIA
6. BRO URQUEZA
ENTERTAINMENT OFFICERS (SETTING UP THE PA SYSTEM AND MUSIC)
1. BRO M PLACIDO
2. BRO M SANTOS
NOTES:
1. EACH GROUP TO DESIGNATE THEIR OWN GROUP LEADER.
2. DESIGNATED GROUP LEADER TO LIAISE WITH THE JUNIOR WARDEN RE LOGISTICAL
SUPPORT.
3. THE GROUPINGS WILL BE REVIEWED EVERY YEAR FOLLOWING THE NOVEMBER
INSTALLATION.
4. EVERY BROTHER OF LJR IS EXPECTED TO EXTEND A HELPING HAND TO THE GROUP IN-CHARGE OF THE FESTIVE BOARD EVERY MEETING.
5. FOOD WARMERS ARE AVAILABLE IF NEEDED.
6. EVERY MEMBER OF LJR IS EXPECTED TO GET INVOLVE IN THE SMOOTH RUNNING OF THE LODGE.
Fraternally,
Rudy
Monday, February 8, 2010
All Work Is Worthy
[Presented By: R.W. Bro. Douglas Franklin, Past DDGM, Ottawa District 1]
I feel privileged to be brought up believing that all work is worthy. From the most humble tasks to massive, earth-changing feats, all work should be valued. I can appreciate a spotless public washroom, and the attitude of those who take their cleaning work seriously. Like you, I can also appreciate well-crafted entertainment. I can even admire a well-written contract.
On becoming a Mason, I became impressed by the teamwork in a Lodge. Dozens of jobs to do, and dozens of Brethren to tell the Secretary how to do them!
We speak about a Lodge at work. Our Work—the ritual and rubrics—is still at the very heart of our Craft. We soon recognize that a successful Lodge engages many of its Brethren in degree work, through the regular progression of officers in the chairs, through members’ nights, step-up nights, and Past Masters’ nights. It is a plain truth in the life of a Lodge that the more the work is spread, the stronger the Lodge will be. A Lodge can certainly get by if every Brother taking part in a degree knows his work. But, a Lodge will flourish if Brethren learn more than is expected of them. For instance, all Master Masons should learn and deliver ritual work.
Sharing in Lodge work also means putting on festive boards and entertainment, convening special events and ladies nights, as well as fundraising. Some of the Brethren, who are not inclined to do degree work, shine in other areas. We should respect them for this, and thank them for their efforts. How often do we actually take a moment, and tell them we appreciate their work? We have heard it said, over and over, that anything you may feel disposed to give will be thankfully received and faithfully applied. My Brethren, I believe that this also applies when a Mason gives something perhaps even more precious today than his money—his time and efforts. Whatever it is, whether arranging a gala evening or auditing the Lodge books, requires particular skills and dedication.
How often do we say to a Brother, after an excellent delivery of ritual, “Good work!” or “Well done!”? Surely we can also express our thanks for a good meal, or say to a Brother who has given his best for his Lodge, “I appreciate what you are doing.” It only takes a moment, but it will be remembered for a long time.
I would like to share with you a true story of Masonic work—both humble and great at the same time.
I once visited a lodge in another jurisdiction, and noticed that a Past Grand Master was sitting as Junior Steward. Surely, I thought to myself, he’s just filling in for the evening. Wrong. I looked at the summons and saw that the Most Worshipful Brother was indeed Junior Steward. “Oh”, I said to myself, “A really high-class recycling job.” Wrong again. Our Junior Steward did his degree floor work and delivered his ritual part with grace and aplomb.
At the close of Lodge, I wanted to introduce myself to the Junior Steward and compliment him on his work, but I was cut short, as he told me he had to be at the festive board that was about to start. The esteemed Brother would no doubt be at the head table. How wrong could I be! With his Senior Steward and other Brethren, he helped to serve the meal. “They must be short of help,” I said to myself. There he was, with a coffee pot in his hand, greeting his Brethren and serving them, with a smile.
Following the Junior Warden’s Toast, I finally had an opportunity to chat with the Most Worshipful Brother. His positive outlook and self-effacing sincerity were most refreshing. Yes, he agreed to serve as Junior Steward for a year, not because his Lodge had to recycle Past Grand Masters, but because his Brother, the one appointed to be in this office, was serving his country, in the Royal Canadian Navy, on duty in the Middle East. “I am also doing this,” he quietly told me, “to value his work. He is putting his life on the line as my Brother, the least I can do is a reasonable job for him in Lodge.”
Forever, I will carry this with me as a living Masonic example of my belief that, “All work is worthy.”
*Reprinted from The Newsletter of the Committee on Masonic Education, Vol 19 No 4.
I feel privileged to be brought up believing that all work is worthy. From the most humble tasks to massive, earth-changing feats, all work should be valued. I can appreciate a spotless public washroom, and the attitude of those who take their cleaning work seriously. Like you, I can also appreciate well-crafted entertainment. I can even admire a well-written contract.
On becoming a Mason, I became impressed by the teamwork in a Lodge. Dozens of jobs to do, and dozens of Brethren to tell the Secretary how to do them!
We speak about a Lodge at work. Our Work—the ritual and rubrics—is still at the very heart of our Craft. We soon recognize that a successful Lodge engages many of its Brethren in degree work, through the regular progression of officers in the chairs, through members’ nights, step-up nights, and Past Masters’ nights. It is a plain truth in the life of a Lodge that the more the work is spread, the stronger the Lodge will be. A Lodge can certainly get by if every Brother taking part in a degree knows his work. But, a Lodge will flourish if Brethren learn more than is expected of them. For instance, all Master Masons should learn and deliver ritual work.
Sharing in Lodge work also means putting on festive boards and entertainment, convening special events and ladies nights, as well as fundraising. Some of the Brethren, who are not inclined to do degree work, shine in other areas. We should respect them for this, and thank them for their efforts. How often do we actually take a moment, and tell them we appreciate their work? We have heard it said, over and over, that anything you may feel disposed to give will be thankfully received and faithfully applied. My Brethren, I believe that this also applies when a Mason gives something perhaps even more precious today than his money—his time and efforts. Whatever it is, whether arranging a gala evening or auditing the Lodge books, requires particular skills and dedication.
How often do we say to a Brother, after an excellent delivery of ritual, “Good work!” or “Well done!”? Surely we can also express our thanks for a good meal, or say to a Brother who has given his best for his Lodge, “I appreciate what you are doing.” It only takes a moment, but it will be remembered for a long time.
I would like to share with you a true story of Masonic work—both humble and great at the same time.
I once visited a lodge in another jurisdiction, and noticed that a Past Grand Master was sitting as Junior Steward. Surely, I thought to myself, he’s just filling in for the evening. Wrong. I looked at the summons and saw that the Most Worshipful Brother was indeed Junior Steward. “Oh”, I said to myself, “A really high-class recycling job.” Wrong again. Our Junior Steward did his degree floor work and delivered his ritual part with grace and aplomb.
At the close of Lodge, I wanted to introduce myself to the Junior Steward and compliment him on his work, but I was cut short, as he told me he had to be at the festive board that was about to start. The esteemed Brother would no doubt be at the head table. How wrong could I be! With his Senior Steward and other Brethren, he helped to serve the meal. “They must be short of help,” I said to myself. There he was, with a coffee pot in his hand, greeting his Brethren and serving them, with a smile.
Following the Junior Warden’s Toast, I finally had an opportunity to chat with the Most Worshipful Brother. His positive outlook and self-effacing sincerity were most refreshing. Yes, he agreed to serve as Junior Steward for a year, not because his Lodge had to recycle Past Grand Masters, but because his Brother, the one appointed to be in this office, was serving his country, in the Royal Canadian Navy, on duty in the Middle East. “I am also doing this,” he quietly told me, “to value his work. He is putting his life on the line as my Brother, the least I can do is a reasonable job for him in Lodge.”
Forever, I will carry this with me as a living Masonic example of my belief that, “All work is worthy.”
*Reprinted from The Newsletter of the Committee on Masonic Education, Vol 19 No 4.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Passions & Prejudices by VW Bro Robert K Taylor
All through our Masonic journey we receive advice and even stronger instructions on how to prepare ourselves for our journey through life to be worthy of attaining the final goal of perfection.
The specific injunction to keep our passions and prejudices within due bounds is first given whilst, as a candidate, we are still kneeling at the altar after our obligation. It must be considered important because it is again reinforced in a subsequent degree, albeit in a different manner.
Like so many other ‘words’ that are given to us during our instructions on the various degrees, we find them interesting, but they are not defined. We either know their meaning, or, are expected to ascertain their meaning.
About ‘passion’ the English dictionary says that it is any strongly felt emotion, ardent, extreme, or intense. Prejudice on the other hand is defined as an opinion, usually unfavourable, that is based on inadequate facts, intolerance, dislike, and is usually irrational. There is more but that is enough for us to draw the inferences.
As Freemasons we are meant to be calm, courteous, rational seekers of the truth and all the while endeavouring to extend the circle of our friendships, nurturing old friendships, and making new. You will readily perceive that passions and prejudices are contrary to the gaining of new and the keeping of old friends. Why do we indulge ourselves in these undesirable traits when they are so obviously contrary to the teachings we receive and the need of our journey through life?
We are humans, and imperfect, even though we are striving for perfection. We have much difficulty in keeping that unruliest member of our body – the tongue – under control and say things that we later regret, but by then it is too late. As Omar Khayyam wrote, “ The moving finger writes, and having writ, moves on nor all thy piety nor wit shall lure it back to cancel half a line, nor all thy tears wash out a word of it.”
So why do we indulge ourselves in these weaknesses when we know in our heart that we should not?
We indulge ourselves in them because of wanting to be better than someone else – so we put them down; to repay someone for a slight, real or perceived; we resent other peoples good fortune and rail at the lack of out own. Unfortunately some prejudices are long standing and ingrained from birth and these are usually of a racial or religious nature. This is where Masonry has its greatest effect and benefit, but, whilst being a noble force for brotherly love, it is sadly, not a magic wand.
Recently our Grand Lodge, in an effort to improve our Masonic accommodation for future generations, outlined the requirements and suggested a list of Masonic Centres that need to be closed as they are deemed inadequate for future Freemasons. Passions were aroused in many breasts and much said that is regrettable.
There is no doubt that many brethren have worked long and hard to acquire and keep their Masonic Centres. They bitterly resent interference and the upheaval to their structured world. [We] each of us have our ‘comfort zone’ and feel uncomfortable when dragged, pushed, or pulled out of that comfort zone. However, if we step back from our possessive or materialistic approach to retaining what we have, and remember where we came from – meeting in empty rooms in pubs - we should realise that Freemasonry is a system of personal training and development and can be performed anywhere. Bearing all that in mind, the long term benefits to the Craft of upgrading Masonic Centres to a higher standard should help us to remain calm and discuss what needs to be done calmly and rationally.
Not all Freemasons love one another as they should. I have seen and heard enough examples of ill-feeling to be disappointed, but not down-hearted. One can offer friendship and wise counsel to try and smooth troubled waters and ruffled feathers. I have even suggested to some that they re-read the obligation of a Master Mason to try to renew the feeling of ownership and the sense of obligation to all other brethren, which goes with it.
On the occasion of my third degree I received a disappointment when neither of my sponsors attended, but this was lessened in the south when a wise and experienced Mason told me that Masonry will never disappoint me, but that, from time to time, men will – and he was right.
So what do we do to calm our passions and lessen our prejudices? We can try to live our lives by the teachings of Freemasonry – to love one another – and remember that all men are interesting if you take the time to listen to them, that every man has some knowledge, some experience, some quality that you do not have, so accept him as a brother and learn from him, and in due course grow to love one another, as true Masons.
--------------------------------------
My dear brother, our Grand Master is confident that our craft is on the rebound. It is up to you and I to support him and communicate our enthusiasm to others. This material, in a small way, helps to spread knowledge and appreciation of the craft. Please enjoy and share.
Kindest regards,
Robert
[If you are interested in reading VW Bro Robert K Taylor's articles, please email him on rktaylor@netspace.net.au to get a copy or be included in his email list.]
The specific injunction to keep our passions and prejudices within due bounds is first given whilst, as a candidate, we are still kneeling at the altar after our obligation. It must be considered important because it is again reinforced in a subsequent degree, albeit in a different manner.
Like so many other ‘words’ that are given to us during our instructions on the various degrees, we find them interesting, but they are not defined. We either know their meaning, or, are expected to ascertain their meaning.
About ‘passion’ the English dictionary says that it is any strongly felt emotion, ardent, extreme, or intense. Prejudice on the other hand is defined as an opinion, usually unfavourable, that is based on inadequate facts, intolerance, dislike, and is usually irrational. There is more but that is enough for us to draw the inferences.
As Freemasons we are meant to be calm, courteous, rational seekers of the truth and all the while endeavouring to extend the circle of our friendships, nurturing old friendships, and making new. You will readily perceive that passions and prejudices are contrary to the gaining of new and the keeping of old friends. Why do we indulge ourselves in these undesirable traits when they are so obviously contrary to the teachings we receive and the need of our journey through life?
We are humans, and imperfect, even though we are striving for perfection. We have much difficulty in keeping that unruliest member of our body – the tongue – under control and say things that we later regret, but by then it is too late. As Omar Khayyam wrote, “ The moving finger writes, and having writ, moves on nor all thy piety nor wit shall lure it back to cancel half a line, nor all thy tears wash out a word of it.”
So why do we indulge ourselves in these weaknesses when we know in our heart that we should not?
We indulge ourselves in them because of wanting to be better than someone else – so we put them down; to repay someone for a slight, real or perceived; we resent other peoples good fortune and rail at the lack of out own. Unfortunately some prejudices are long standing and ingrained from birth and these are usually of a racial or religious nature. This is where Masonry has its greatest effect and benefit, but, whilst being a noble force for brotherly love, it is sadly, not a magic wand.
Recently our Grand Lodge, in an effort to improve our Masonic accommodation for future generations, outlined the requirements and suggested a list of Masonic Centres that need to be closed as they are deemed inadequate for future Freemasons. Passions were aroused in many breasts and much said that is regrettable.
There is no doubt that many brethren have worked long and hard to acquire and keep their Masonic Centres. They bitterly resent interference and the upheaval to their structured world. [We] each of us have our ‘comfort zone’ and feel uncomfortable when dragged, pushed, or pulled out of that comfort zone. However, if we step back from our possessive or materialistic approach to retaining what we have, and remember where we came from – meeting in empty rooms in pubs - we should realise that Freemasonry is a system of personal training and development and can be performed anywhere. Bearing all that in mind, the long term benefits to the Craft of upgrading Masonic Centres to a higher standard should help us to remain calm and discuss what needs to be done calmly and rationally.
Not all Freemasons love one another as they should. I have seen and heard enough examples of ill-feeling to be disappointed, but not down-hearted. One can offer friendship and wise counsel to try and smooth troubled waters and ruffled feathers. I have even suggested to some that they re-read the obligation of a Master Mason to try to renew the feeling of ownership and the sense of obligation to all other brethren, which goes with it.
On the occasion of my third degree I received a disappointment when neither of my sponsors attended, but this was lessened in the south when a wise and experienced Mason told me that Masonry will never disappoint me, but that, from time to time, men will – and he was right.
So what do we do to calm our passions and lessen our prejudices? We can try to live our lives by the teachings of Freemasonry – to love one another – and remember that all men are interesting if you take the time to listen to them, that every man has some knowledge, some experience, some quality that you do not have, so accept him as a brother and learn from him, and in due course grow to love one another, as true Masons.
--------------------------------------
My dear brother, our Grand Master is confident that our craft is on the rebound. It is up to you and I to support him and communicate our enthusiasm to others. This material, in a small way, helps to spread knowledge and appreciation of the craft. Please enjoy and share.
Kindest regards,
Robert
[If you are interested in reading VW Bro Robert K Taylor's articles, please email him on rktaylor@netspace.net.au to get a copy or be included in his email list.]
Thursday, January 28, 2010
LJR Charter & Past Wor Masters
For those who love to read & find out more about Bro Dr Jose Rizal, please read 'My Jose Rizal'.
R Wor Bro Emmanuel 'Manny' Maniago - Foundation Wor Master - 2010
R Wor Bro Fidencio 'Fidel' Pamplona - 2011
V Wor Bro Rodolfo 'Rudy' Romerosa -2012
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Dimasalang: The Masonic Life of Dr. Jose Rizal
By Raymond S. Fajardo, 33º
Edited by Fred Lamar Pearson, Jr., 33º
Dr. Jose P. Rizal, a Philippine national born on June 19, 1861, died before a firing squad on December 30, 1896. Thus came to an inglorious end the life of a remarkable man and Mason. Martyr, patriot, poet, novelist, physician, Mason - he was all of these and more. In fact, he squeezed into a very few years, 35, an incredible array of activities. Dimasalang: The Masonic Life of Dr. Jose Rizal by Raymond S. Fajardo, 33º, hereafter appearing in edited form, is an excellent volume which treats splendidly, a neglected facet of the remarkable life of the George Washington of Philippine Independence.
I. Introduction
A majority of the Filipino patriots who led their countrymen in their struggle for emancipation against Spain in the last two decades of the nineteenth century were members of the masonic fraternity. Among all of them, however, only one deserved to be called an international mason - Jose P. Rizal. Only he joined lodges in several countries and practiced the rites of various masonic Grand Jurisdictions. He received masonic degrees from lodges in Spain, Germany, France, and possibly England; he attended lodge meetings in Hong Kong and was the first to be elected Honorary Venerable Master of a [Nilad] lodge in the Philippines. Furthermore, he was the only Filipino designated as the Grand Representative of a Spanish Grand Orient to the Grand Orient of France and the lodges in Germany.
Born to educated and relatively well-to-do parents [June 19, 1861], he went to Manila [1872], enrolling at the Ateneo Municipal where he obtained the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1877, and then at the University of Santo Tomas where he studied philosophy, letters, and later, medicine until 1882.
Masonic lodges, at the time were very few and composed mostly of Spaniards. During that early stage, members of Rizal's family were already closely identified with the Fraternity. His uncle, the Most Excellent Jose Alberto Alonzo, Knight Commander of the Spanish Orders of Isabel the Catholic and of Carlos III, was in Spain in 1868 when the Revolution led by masons deposed Queen Isabela II. He fraternized with the mason Juan Prim, the general who led the revolt, and Francisco Pi y Margall, the president of the short - lived Spanish republic. It was in the house of Alberto where Rizal stayed [while attending school] in Biñan.
Rizal's elder brother [Paciano while a student] in Manila lived with Fr. Jose Burgos and worked with him in the Comite de Reformadores. The Comite had several masons on its rolls, some of whom were implicated in the Cavite Revolt of 1872. Moreover, Fr. Burgos' sister was married to Dr. Mariano Marti, a 33º mason who was the Grand Delegate of the Soberano Oriente de España and who is credited with having organized lodges in Manila, Cebu and Iloilo. Beyond peradventure, Paciano met a number of Masons on the Comite de Reformadores and[during his association with Fr. Burgos.
The first documented exposure of Rizal to masonry took place in 1882. May 3, 1882, he started on his journey to Madrid. June 11, his ship docked at Naples, [where he saw] a multitude of posters set up by masons announcing the death of Giuseppe Garibaldi, their Grand Master. Rizal wrote about what he saw in a letter to his parents and brothers. That letter marked the first time Rizal made a written mention of Masonry, but not the last.
II. Rizal's First Years As A Mason
Upon his arrival in Spain, Rizal found it a country strongly influenced by Masonic thought. The atmosphere of freedom had a profound impact on Rizal who was then smarting from the abuses of the friars in his native land, particularly the injustice inflicted upon his mother. When he was only ten years of age, his mother was arrested on a trumped-up charge and forced to walk from their residence in Calamba, to the prison in Sta. Cruz, the capital of Laguna, a distance of over thirty kilometers. She was later exonerated, but only after two-and-a half years in jail.
Ferdinand Blumentritt, Rizal's good friend, assessed the impact of free Spain upon him, thus:
During his sojourn in Spain he came upon a new world. The horizons of his mind widened considerably, opening up to him new ideas. He came from a country where the friars, the bureaucrats, military officers, and the rest of the Spaniards exercised absolute power. In Madrid, he saw the exact opposite; freethinkers and atheists spoke freely and disparagingly of his religion and his Church; the authority of the State, he found out, was weak; he expected to see liberals and clericals fighting each other, but he saw quite the opposite… At the sight of all this, a feeling of bitterness overwhelmed him when he compared the unlimited freedom in the Mother country with the theocratic absolutism in his own land.
Rizal soon came under the influence of several outstanding masonic thinkers.
Miguel Morayta, a Grand Master, was his college professor who molded his views of history, while the ex-president of Spain, the Catalan - Francisco Pi y Margall, who also became his friend, gave direction to his political thoughts. Among the first Spaniards to advocate emancipation of the Philippines were the masons Rafael Labra y Cardano and Sovereign Grand Commander Manuel Ruiz Zorrilla. Small wonder, therefore, that Rizal decided to apply for membership in Acacia Lodge No. 9, a lodge in Madrid under the Gran Oriente de España, at that time the principal and biggest Grand Orient in Spain. Upon his initiation, Rizal chose Dimasalang as his symbolic name in Masonry.
Early on Rizal and other Filipino expatriates realized that the enemy of reform in the Philippines was not Spain or religion, but the friars. Starting a patriotic propaganda for the improvement of conditions Rizal quickly rose to the forefront of this movement. In 1884 he started writing his famous novel, Noli Me Tangere, an incisive indictment of the Philippine political and religious regime. The same year Rizal spoke at a banquet [held] in honor of Juan Luna and Felix Resurrecion Hidalgo, Filipino artists named first and second prize winners in a painting contest held in Madrid. Rizal saluted Spain, but flayed the friars in the Philippines. When copies of the newspapers carrying his speech reached Manila, authorities branded him a subversive.
Completing his studies in Madrid, Rizal left for France in July 1885 to specialize in opthamology. He trained in Paris for four months, then he left for Heidelberg, then considered the most advanced center of opthalmic research in Europe. From there he moved to Wilhelmsfeld, Leipzig and Berlin and met some of the most eminent men in Europe.
* * * * * * * * *
This excerpt is from Heredom, the transactions of the Scottish Rite Research Society.
Edited by Fred Lamar Pearson, Jr., 33º
Dr. Jose P. Rizal, a Philippine national born on June 19, 1861, died before a firing squad on December 30, 1896. Thus came to an inglorious end the life of a remarkable man and Mason. Martyr, patriot, poet, novelist, physician, Mason - he was all of these and more. In fact, he squeezed into a very few years, 35, an incredible array of activities. Dimasalang: The Masonic Life of Dr. Jose Rizal by Raymond S. Fajardo, 33º, hereafter appearing in edited form, is an excellent volume which treats splendidly, a neglected facet of the remarkable life of the George Washington of Philippine Independence.
I. Introduction
A majority of the Filipino patriots who led their countrymen in their struggle for emancipation against Spain in the last two decades of the nineteenth century were members of the masonic fraternity. Among all of them, however, only one deserved to be called an international mason - Jose P. Rizal. Only he joined lodges in several countries and practiced the rites of various masonic Grand Jurisdictions. He received masonic degrees from lodges in Spain, Germany, France, and possibly England; he attended lodge meetings in Hong Kong and was the first to be elected Honorary Venerable Master of a [Nilad] lodge in the Philippines. Furthermore, he was the only Filipino designated as the Grand Representative of a Spanish Grand Orient to the Grand Orient of France and the lodges in Germany.
Born to educated and relatively well-to-do parents [June 19, 1861], he went to Manila [1872], enrolling at the Ateneo Municipal where he obtained the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1877, and then at the University of Santo Tomas where he studied philosophy, letters, and later, medicine until 1882.
Masonic lodges, at the time were very few and composed mostly of Spaniards. During that early stage, members of Rizal's family were already closely identified with the Fraternity. His uncle, the Most Excellent Jose Alberto Alonzo, Knight Commander of the Spanish Orders of Isabel the Catholic and of Carlos III, was in Spain in 1868 when the Revolution led by masons deposed Queen Isabela II. He fraternized with the mason Juan Prim, the general who led the revolt, and Francisco Pi y Margall, the president of the short - lived Spanish republic. It was in the house of Alberto where Rizal stayed [while attending school] in Biñan.
Rizal's elder brother [Paciano while a student] in Manila lived with Fr. Jose Burgos and worked with him in the Comite de Reformadores. The Comite had several masons on its rolls, some of whom were implicated in the Cavite Revolt of 1872. Moreover, Fr. Burgos' sister was married to Dr. Mariano Marti, a 33º mason who was the Grand Delegate of the Soberano Oriente de España and who is credited with having organized lodges in Manila, Cebu and Iloilo. Beyond peradventure, Paciano met a number of Masons on the Comite de Reformadores and[during his association with Fr. Burgos.
The first documented exposure of Rizal to masonry took place in 1882. May 3, 1882, he started on his journey to Madrid. June 11, his ship docked at Naples, [where he saw] a multitude of posters set up by masons announcing the death of Giuseppe Garibaldi, their Grand Master. Rizal wrote about what he saw in a letter to his parents and brothers. That letter marked the first time Rizal made a written mention of Masonry, but not the last.
II. Rizal's First Years As A Mason
Upon his arrival in Spain, Rizal found it a country strongly influenced by Masonic thought. The atmosphere of freedom had a profound impact on Rizal who was then smarting from the abuses of the friars in his native land, particularly the injustice inflicted upon his mother. When he was only ten years of age, his mother was arrested on a trumped-up charge and forced to walk from their residence in Calamba, to the prison in Sta. Cruz, the capital of Laguna, a distance of over thirty kilometers. She was later exonerated, but only after two-and-a half years in jail.
Ferdinand Blumentritt, Rizal's good friend, assessed the impact of free Spain upon him, thus:
During his sojourn in Spain he came upon a new world. The horizons of his mind widened considerably, opening up to him new ideas. He came from a country where the friars, the bureaucrats, military officers, and the rest of the Spaniards exercised absolute power. In Madrid, he saw the exact opposite; freethinkers and atheists spoke freely and disparagingly of his religion and his Church; the authority of the State, he found out, was weak; he expected to see liberals and clericals fighting each other, but he saw quite the opposite… At the sight of all this, a feeling of bitterness overwhelmed him when he compared the unlimited freedom in the Mother country with the theocratic absolutism in his own land.
Rizal soon came under the influence of several outstanding masonic thinkers.
Miguel Morayta, a Grand Master, was his college professor who molded his views of history, while the ex-president of Spain, the Catalan - Francisco Pi y Margall, who also became his friend, gave direction to his political thoughts. Among the first Spaniards to advocate emancipation of the Philippines were the masons Rafael Labra y Cardano and Sovereign Grand Commander Manuel Ruiz Zorrilla. Small wonder, therefore, that Rizal decided to apply for membership in Acacia Lodge No. 9, a lodge in Madrid under the Gran Oriente de España, at that time the principal and biggest Grand Orient in Spain. Upon his initiation, Rizal chose Dimasalang as his symbolic name in Masonry.
Early on Rizal and other Filipino expatriates realized that the enemy of reform in the Philippines was not Spain or religion, but the friars. Starting a patriotic propaganda for the improvement of conditions Rizal quickly rose to the forefront of this movement. In 1884 he started writing his famous novel, Noli Me Tangere, an incisive indictment of the Philippine political and religious regime. The same year Rizal spoke at a banquet [held] in honor of Juan Luna and Felix Resurrecion Hidalgo, Filipino artists named first and second prize winners in a painting contest held in Madrid. Rizal saluted Spain, but flayed the friars in the Philippines. When copies of the newspapers carrying his speech reached Manila, authorities branded him a subversive.
Completing his studies in Madrid, Rizal left for France in July 1885 to specialize in opthamology. He trained in Paris for four months, then he left for Heidelberg, then considered the most advanced center of opthalmic research in Europe. From there he moved to Wilhelmsfeld, Leipzig and Berlin and met some of the most eminent men in Europe.
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This excerpt is from Heredom, the transactions of the Scottish Rite Research Society.
Monday, January 25, 2010
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