WHY
JOIN THE HOLY ROYAL ARCH?
Four
weeks after being raised to the Third Degree all Master Masons
are
entitled, and
are strongly recommended, to be exalted to the Supreme Degree
of the Holy Royal Arch.
This Supreme Degree has been described as both the foundation
and keystone of the whole Masonic structure, and also as being
the next step in Freemasonry after the Craft Degrees and the
final step in pure ancient Masonry.
It is both an integral part of Craft Masonry as well as being
its completion.
In Craft Masonry, a brother acknowledges a belief in a Supreme
Being, but this is never explored. In the Royal Arch, a mason
continues and completes his education and knowledge of Craft
Masonry and is invited to consider his relationship and dependence
on God. It can therefore justly be claimed to be the climax
of Freemasonry and no brother can really consider his Masonic
journey to be complete until he has joined the Royal Arch.
Chapter
membership is a prerequisite for admission to certain other
Orders of Freemasonry.
Just as Craft Masons meet in a Lodge, Royal Arch Masons meet
in a Chapter and are known as Companions. Chapters usually hold
three or four meetings a year and the
fees and annual subscriptions are generally smaller than those
in the Craft.
As in a Craft Lodge, there is progression of officers towards
the chairs of the three Principals who govern the Chapter.
The Royal Arch is the only other Order under the same Book of
Constitutions as Craft Masonry and is administered by Supreme
Grand Chapter, its principal officers and officials being mainly
the same as those of the United Grand Lodge of England. The
Province is led by the Grand Superintendent, who is assisted
by his Deputy and the Second and Third Principals.
As in Craft Masonry "to please each other and unite in
the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness"
is still an objective, but it is one which in Chapter we can
view in a deeper and more rewarding light. Your enjoyment of
the Royal Arch will be in proportion to your contribution to
the happiness of your Companions.
Make up your mind to enjoy your Royal Arch Masonry as you do
that of the Craft and you will come to understand that the Holy
Royal Arch is the essence of Freemasonry.
Key
Points:
• You should join the Royal Arch as soon as you feel comfortable
in the Craft.
• You can become a Principal in the Royal Arch without first
being a Master of a Craft Lodge.
• It is possible to be a Master of a Lodge and Principal in
the Royal Arch at the same time.
For
further information contact the Royal Arch representative within
your Lodge, or alternatively, the Provincial Grand Scribe E,
whose details are on the contacts page.
