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.”

by David A. Glattly, 33˚, Sovereign Grand Commander

I am proud of our Grand Almoner’s Fund—taking care of our Brothers in trouble and with the swiftness in which we respond.

I am proud of our White Flower Society—caring for our Masonic widows and keeping them within our Fraternity’s family.

I am proud of our Abbott Scholarship program—giving assistance to the youth of our Scottish Rite families for their education.

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

I am proud of our Children’s Dyslexia Centers throughout our jurisdiction— helping to remediate children with reading challenges.

I am proud of our Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library—that is charged with keeping both Masonic and American history and culture alive. I am particularly proud of our new Masonic Hall of Fame coming this year which will be a destination for all Masons.

I am proud of our “Not just a man. A Mason.” campaign in our Path Forward program to help all Grand Lodges market Freemasonry.

I am proud of our new “BeAFreemason.org” web site, partnered with the Southern Jurisdiction Scottish Rite and Shriners International, allowing men from throughout North America to find a way to join Freemasonry.

I am extremely proud of the Core Values of our Scottish Rite woven within our degrees: Reverence for God, Devotion to Country, Service to Humanity, Integrity, Justice, and Tolerance.

I trust that you are as proud as I am. How can you not be? If you are as proud, help me spread the word of Scottish Rite to all Brother Master Masons. Let all know of the good work of our Scottish Rite!

Thank you. Spes mea in Deo est. Fraternally,