If You Are Not a Mason
Before you can join the Scottish Rite, you first must become a Master Mason. Find a lodge near you.
If You Are a Blue Lodge Mason
You took the necessary steps to become a Master Mason. You earned the right to become a part of the oldest and greatest fraternal organization in the world. Now, you have an opportunity to expand upon your knowledge of Masonry, to widen your circle of acquaintances, and to serve humanity in unique ways.
You may approach a 32° Mason to take the next step into the Scottish Rite, or he may approach you to suggest that you continue your Masonic journey, which should be a never-ending path. There is always room for improvement in our lives. Although there is no higher degree than that of Master Mason, the 29 degrees of the Scottish Rite serve to enrich the philosophy of the Symbolic Lodge. A Mason who chooses to further his Masonic experience by becoming a 32° Scottish Rite Mason will be expanding upon the fundamental principles of Freemasonry. The moral and ethical lessons will allow him to be constantly reminded of his duty to God, family, country and fellow man.
Degree Structure
Whereas a Symbolic Lodge appears in almost every community in the United States, the Scottish Rite units tend to be regional and are called “Valleys.” Most Valleys have four distinct parts; although, in some areas, a candidate may be required to continue his degrees in a neighboring Valley.
- The Lodge of Perfection confers the 4° through 14°.
- The Chapter of Rose Croix confers the 15° through 18°.
- The Council of Kadosh confers the 19° through 30°.
- The Consistory confers the 31° and 32°.
A Scottish Rite degree can offer a new reflection each time it is performed or observed. The lessons are taught through parables in the form of plays, allowing Masons the opportunity to bond through theater, stage work, costuming, makeup, set design and musical activities. Cast members present the lessons, which are taken from Biblical and modern historical events, to candidates who learn from observing the performances.
How long will it take?
A Master Mason may become a 32° Scottish Rite Mason in one day, or he may take each body of degrees separately over a period of time. Each degree requires elaborate stage preparation, so not every degree is presented in full form during a degree-conferring session. The lessons for degrees not performed are summarized for the candidates. Every 32° Mason should strive to witness in future years as many degree presentations as possible.
Following initiation, a member gains entrance to the meetings of any Scottish Rite Valley by presenting a current dues card. A new member receives a 32° passport which is used to record the date that each degree is witnessed.
Benefits of being a member
- Further light in Masonry through the exemplification of the 4° – 32°
- Being part of a fraternity that puts the Masonic obligation of caring for each other at the center of all we do
- Expanded network of 32° Masons in the Valley of Jonesboro
- Additional educational resources for members only so you can go even deeper into the degrees
Do you have more questions? Click here for FAQs