CHARGE TO THE
Virtual 32nd Degree Class of 2021 More than 1,000 members waited longer than a year to receive the esteemed 32nd degree. As a gesture of gratitude for their patience during these extraordinary times, the Supreme Council offered these members the chance to become Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret through a Virtual 32nd degree celebration. This first-class cinematic experience united Brothers across the jurisdiction and featured a historic ceremonial dubbing from all 15 states. Here is Commander Glattly’s charge to the class.
Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret: welcome! Welcome to achieving the 32nd degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America.
You, and the more than 1,000 Brothers joining with you today, are part of history. This is the very first virtual 32nd degree presented by our Supreme Council in our 208-year history! Congratulations!
I’m sure you were impressed by the degree that you have just witnessed, with the Core Values and lessons within. Constans, our hero, faced several challenges with tempters offering him much to entice him to leave his sworn vigil. Would you have been swayed with the pleasant offer of a fine party with women? How about the opportunity of great wealth? Or to be given life eternal on Earth? Constans kept his vigil until finally swayed to help defend the people of his city being attacked. Constans paid the ultimate price for his loyal service. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Spes mea in Deo est—My hope is in God. May your hope and trust be in God. Our Scottish Rite has an important acronym: ICE, which stands for Inspiration, Convenience, and Enjoyment. We strive that every event we plan should be inspirational, convenient, and enjoyable for our members—thus, our Thursday Night at the Rite, our Virtual Reunions, and many other events including this very day’s virtual 32nd degree. I joined the Valley of Northern New Jersey over 30 years ago, and I am proud to be a Scottish Rite Mason. You have joined a great organization that should also make you proud. I am proud of our vision statement: “We will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills our Masonic obligation to care for our members.”
4
ScottishRiteNMJ.org
The Northern Light
