The Scottish Rite

"The Scottish Rite" is a system of Masonic degrees which elaborate and supplement the content of the three Craft degrees.  It recognizes the supremacy and exclusive jurisdiction of Grand Lodges over the first three degrees of Masonry and Masonic funeral rites and ceremonies. It greatly strengthens and extends their teachings by ritual, drama, and allegory.

The Scottish Rite holds that no degree has a higher value than that of Master Mason. The instruction given in the Craft degrees is, however, seldom fully grasped by the candidate. He needs further instruction and enlightenment to understand the great truths which Freemasonry possesses and which Freemasonry teaches.

The first three degrees are but the wonderful entrance to the great Temple of Freemasonry. He who would seek more light, more knowledge of the mission and symbolism of Freemasonry, a more complete interpretation of the teachings of the Craft degrees, as well as acceptance into a very special fellowship and Brotherhood, can obtain these within the Scottish Rite. The Craft degrees are the ground base of Masonry. Without them, Freemasonry would not exist. The Scottish Rite builds a superstructure on this firm base, and so provides a means whereby the earnest seeker after truth may receive further and deeper knowledge and understanding of the same great truths.

The Scottish Rite in Canada

The whole of Canada constitutes a single Scottish Rite Jurisdiction. Here, the term "Scottish Rite" is a short form for "The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of Canada".

Application for membership in the Scottish Rite is open to members in good standing in any Canadian Craft Lodge who have been Master Masons for not less than six months. Continued membership in a Craft Lodge is required to maintain good standing in the Scottish Rite.

Acceptance for membership is subject to the usual Masonic conditions of residence, sponsors, investigation, and ballot. Physical impairment is not a disqualification. Belief in a Supreme Being is, as in the Craft degrees, an essential requirement.

The government of the Scottish Rite in Canada resides in the Supreme Council 33° which selects and elects its own membership. It is composed of Sovereign Grand Inspectors-General, 33°, Active Members, (not exceeding 33 in number), plus Past Sovereign Grand Commanders, who are Active Members AD Vitam, and Past Active Members (without vote). Associated with them are Honorary Inspectors-General, 33°, distinguished Brethren selected for their service to the Scottish Rite, to Freemasonry, to their country, or to humanity.

Constituent Bodies are, separately and independently, responsible to Supreme Council for certain degrees. These Constituent Bodies comprise:--

1. Lodges of Perfection conferring the 4th to 14th degrees, inclusive. It is to one of these lodges that a Master Mason applies for membership. The degrees continue the story of the building of King Solomon's Temple, and amplify and conclude the legend of the Master Mason degree.

2. Chapters of Rose Croix conferring the 15th to 18th degrees inclusive. The 15th and 16th degrees relate to the rebuilding of the Second Temple by Zerubbabel. The 17th degree is an approach to, and the 18th degree a recognition of the Christian ethic, but in universal terms, thus assisting in the building, in our hearts, of the Third Temple, not made with hands.

3. Consistories conferring the 19th to the 32nd degrees inclusive. These degrees, often elaborate and highly dramatic, cover a variety of approaches to Masonic teaching. Some have the Crusades as a background. The 30th, 31st and 32nd degrees culminate the teachings of the Scottish Rite, and must be conferred in full ritual form.

Origins of the Scottish Rite

There are several theories as to the origin of the Scottish Rite, but as it evolved in France in dates from about 1754 when a Chapter (or College) of Claremont was founded in Paris with seven degrees. By 1758 the system had become a Rite of twenty-five degrees known as the Rite of Perfection, whose Grand Regulations were issued in 1762.

In 1761 Stephen Morin was designated to introduce the Rite into the New World. He first established the Rite in Kingston, Jamaica and in San Domingo. On the mainland, Bodies were set up at New Orleans, LA in 1763, at Albany, NY in 1767, at Philadelphia, PA in 1782, and at Charleston, SC in 1783.

In 1786 "Grand Constitutions" were enacted in an attempt to bring order out of the chaotic condition of the degrees in Europe. It was these Constitutions which brought "The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite" into formal existence, enlarging the number of degrees to thirty-three, with the 33rd degree as a governing Supreme Council.

The Grand Constitutions of 1786 were issued in the name of Frederick the Great of Prussia as titular head of the Rite, but, he was suffering from terminal illness at the date they were promulgated, and died soon afterwards.

No degree of the Scottish Rite seems to have had its actual origin in Scotland. The term "Scottish" is translation of the French "Ecossais" in the French titles of some of the degrees of the Rite of Perfection. There may well be a traditional connection here. One or two of the degrees were long supposed to have been devised by the Chevalier Andrew Michael Ramsay, a learned Scotsman, tutor to Prince Charles Edward, the Young Pretender. These degrees seem to have afforded a meeting place for those in exile in France, who were adherents of the Stuarts and who were plotting for the restoration of James II and his son to the throne of England.

In 1801 a Supreme Council was opened in Charleston, SC under the above constitutions, absorbing the previously existing Rite of Perfection. This Supreme Council subsequently issued warrants for other Supreme Councils. All other regular Supreme Councils of today are descended, directly or indirectly, from this the Supreme Council of the Southern Jurisdiction, United States of America.

In 1813 the Southern Jurisdiction established the Supreme Council 33° for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States. In 1845 the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction warranted a Supreme Council in England and Wales which, in 1874, authorized the formation of the Supreme Council of Canada. At the time our Supreme Council was chartered, Scottish Rite Bodies were already operative in Hamilton, ON, (1868); London, ON, (1868); St. John, NB, (1868); Halifax, NS, (1870): Toronto, ON, (1873); and Montreal, QC, (1873). Our Supreme Council is in amity with more than 40 other Supreme Councils throughout the world, and 4 National Grand Lodges in the Scandinavian countries.

Applications, Fees and Dues

A Master Mason may submit an application for membership in a Lodge of Perfection following either a request to, or an invitation from, a friend who is a member of the Scottish Rite. A six month interval is required between receiving the Master Mason degree and joining the Lodge of Perfection.

Minimum fees for the degrees have been set by Supreme Council. The actual fees and dues (either annual or commuted for life) are specified in the by-laws of each Lodge, Chapter, and Consistory. the Secretary or sponsor will give full information on the financial responsibilities of membership.

A candidate is not required to commit to memory any lectures or questions and answers. There are a few passwords, signs and tokens in the senior degrees of  Lodge, Chapter, and Consistory which it may be advisable to know in order to prove a member's standing.

A ring of special significance is worn by Scottish Rite Masons in Canada. This is to be obtained and worn after the 14th degree has been received.

Meetings, Reunions, and Degree Work

Degree Work is, of course, of prime importance. With so many and such a variety of degrees to be conferred, each member has opportunity, if he wishes, to participate in ritual, in drama or in non-speaking parts such as a guard, in degree direction, and in management. Many Workers are required to share the load. Replacements and alternates are constantly needed. There is never lack of opportunity to participate.

Each Lodge, Chapter, and Consistory determines its own schedule for meetings. Certain degrees must be conferred in full form, namely, in the Lodge of Perfection the 4th, 5th, 7th, 13th, and 14th degrees; in the Chapter Rose Croix the 15th and 18th degrees; in the Consistory the 30th, 31st, and 32nd degrees. In Bodies with a large area of Jurisdiction these and some other degrees may be conferred at a "Reunion" covering one or more days, and held perhaps once to twice a year. Monthly meetings may be held with one or more degrees at each. Degrees not required to be conferred in extenso, when not conferred, are communicated by means of brief explanations and obligations, so that there is no delay in a candidate's progress.

Other Activities in the Scottish Rite

Reunions are always special occasions for fellowship. Several areas have Scottish Rite Clubs. Social occasions are increasingly recognized as important and valuable at the local level, and may include addresses on Masonic topics, educational and philanthropic activities, and ladies' nights.

The Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation

At its Annual Session in 1964 the Supreme Council resolved to establish a vehicle through which to practice that virtue that every mason professes to admire -- namely charity. Later that same year it caused to be incorporated by Letters Patent under the Companies Act (Canada), The Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada. Registration was effected with Revenue Canada. The Letters Patent provided that all donations would be immediately capitalized. Donors would receive receipts for their donations which would be treated as entirely deductible for tax purposes, but only the income earned by the capital -- to the extent of at least 90% -- would be required to be disbursed annually. The first donation to the Foundation was a transfer from the Supreme Council of securities in the value of $100,000.

The story of the inception and growth of the Foundation from 1964-1984 is recounted in the official history authored by Ill. Bro. Donald M. Fleming, 33°, entitled "The First Twenty Years".

The terms of incorporation, were designed to permit the Foundation to support one or more charities which carried on its work solely within Canada, and to vary the selection as it saw fit.

However, from its incorporation the Directors resolved to concentrate its efforts in support of research into the causes of and hopefully eventual cure of, intellectual disability, initially as it affected children, and later, as well, as it affected persons of advanced years in the form of Alzheimer's Disease.

The Foundation has worked closely with the Roeher Institute, which is recognized for its expertise in the field of research affecting persons with an intellectual impairment and other disabilities.

Research is funded by the Foundation through the Institute.

The Institute provides professional assistance to the Foundation in the adjudication of requests for bursary and research awards, and in the choice of major grant recipients in physical/biological and socio/economic research.

Millions of dollars have been disbursed as the result of the generosity of donors, members of the rite, and others.

Donations are received from several sources. All members of the Rite are encouraged to make annual contributions through the blue envelopes provided to them by each Valley across Canada. Valleys and clubs organize special fund-raising events with the proceeds designated for the Foundation. Donations are received with memorial cards in memory of departed loved ones. Bequests are a major source of receipts, and members are encouraged to remember the Foundation in their wills.

Anyone who, over a period of not exceeding five years, makes contributions in amounts of not less than $100., or multiples thereof, to a total of at least $500., is designated a Fellow of The Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada, and is entitled to receive and wear a sterling silver pin crafted in the shape of the Foundation logo.

In summary, then, the Scottish Rite is a unique teacher of universal Masonic truths inspired by the wisdom of the ages. We first admit the candidate to the Temple of Solomon in the period inherited from the third degree. We renew the work toward the completion and realization of the Temple, and recover for the Master Mason that which was lost. In later degrees we portray events of universal significance associated with the building of the Second Temple. Still later, we are shown a way to erect the Third Temple --  that Temple of Truth and Love which exists in the hearts of man when he strives to identify himself with that which is highest and best, and to which Jesus alluded in the words "Destroy this Temple and in three days I will build it up". In a final series of degrees the history and philosophy of Masonry are developed in ceremony and drama, so the zealous Brother has an unequalled opportunity to acquire a deeper knowledge and understanding of Masonic symbolism and dogma.

This is the opportunity, the challenge and the reward which the Scottish Rite presents to the Master Mason.