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RESISTING TEMPTATION: Revised 32nd Degree Released
by PJ Roup, 33˚, Editor, Active for Pennsylvania
In response to feedback received by the membership, the Ritualistic Matters Committee has revised the 32nd degree to bring it more closely in line with the desire of the members of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. The revised degree was ratified by the Active Membership of the Supreme Council at a special meeting held on July 5 and is available for immediate use.
In recent years, the committee has sought to simplify the degrees, removing the outdated ceremonials in favor of leaner dramas. In the 32nd degree, this resulted in the exclusion of some of the more beautiful symbols of the Scottish Rite.
The new degree reestablishes much of the symbolism removed in recent revisions and returns the familiar characters from the 1981 ritual. While it has been modified slightly to facilitate staging and modern language, it will be familiar to many of our veteran Scottish Rite Masons. It is our hope that members new and old will find not only a beautiful message in the allegory of Constans, but also some deeper messaging as they seek to explore the images, symbols, and icons of the new 32nd degree.
