| 1. |
Introduction. : |
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| 1.1 |
The presentation ofLTS Jewels
in the presence of Non-Masons and Ladies is part
of the process of Masonic Liberalisation proposed
by M.W.the Grand Master, more particularly on
the involvement of families and friends of brethren
who are honoured on such occasions.
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| 1.2 |
In the meeting of the Board of
General Purposes held on 28th July 2007 at DeL.~i,
it was agreed in principle that LTS Jewels may
be presented to Brethren, in meetings organized
by Lodges at their option, if they so desire,
in the presence of Non-Masons including Ladies,
subject to detailed procedures in this regard
being worked out. Since then, based on the experience
gained on few such occasions of Jewel Presentation,
both in the case of 60/50 years Jewels by M.W.the
Grand Master or his representative and 40/25 Jewels
by the Regional Grand Masters or their representatives,
as well as when M.W.the Grand Master or his representative
is present, when 60/50/40/25 years' jewel are
presented together on the same occasion in a Lodge,
the Board of General Purposes has approved the
following guidelines, procedures and ceremonials
for such occasions.
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| 2. |
General Introduction : |
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| 2.1 |
It is important that absolute
decorum and dignity is maintained in the basic
ceremony, as already prescribed, with thorough
reparation on the part of all concerned, thus
making the occasion, as memorable as possible,
both for the receipients and theh' families and
friends.
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2.2
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While the brethren of the Lodge
may wear the Lodge Regalia, there is no objection
to Members of the Lodge and other brethren present
on the occasion, wearing the regalia of their
respective highest ranks, in the Region or the
Grand Lodge, as the case may be, whether or not
they are part of the deputation of the Region/Grand
Lodge Lodge.
Likewise, the recipi~nts of the jewels may also
wear the regalia of their highest ranks in the
Region/Grand Lodge, as the case may be.
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| 2.3 |
In cases where the Jewel Presentation
is made on the same day as the regular meeting
day of the Lodge, such regular meeti.ng of the
Lod.ge will be held immediately prior to the Ceremony
of presentation of L TS Jewels and the Lodge will
be formally closed before the commencement of
the. proposed ceremony in the presence of nonMasons
and Ladies.
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| 3. |
Main points of differen.ce between
the Existing Ceremony and the Proposed Ceremony. |
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- The Volumes of the Sacred Law will be opened
by the Director of Ceremonies of the Lodge at
the commencement of the Jewel Presentation Ceremony
but the Square & Compasses will not be placed
on the VSL.
- No Masonic signs will be given at any stage
of the Ceremony
- There will be no Masonic salutations either
for the Regional Grand Master or for the Grand
Master, on their separate/combined arrival.
- There will also be no Masonic salutations
for the recipients of the Jewels.
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| 4. |
Details of the Proposed Ceremony |
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| 4.1. |
In cases of presentation of jewels
on the regular meeting day of the Lodge, after
the regular Lodge is closed, non-Masons and Ladies
may be admitted into the temple and seated as
indicated below(On occasions, where the jewel
presentation is done other than on the Regular
Meeting day of the Lodge, without opening and
closing the Lodge, the same seating procedure
may be followed)
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- As far as possible Non-Masons and Ladies should
be so seated that they get a good view of the
entire ceremony.
- The recipients of the Jewel may be seated
immediately behind, the Lodge Director of Ceremonies
to the right of the Junior Warden. The spouses
of the recipients may be seated on the opposite
side, just behind the Grand/Regional Director
of Ceremonies, to the left side of the Secretary.
Other Non-Masons and Ladies may be seated on
Chairs placed suitably, on the floor of the
temple to provide a good view ensuring that
enough space is available for the procession
to enter and leave comfortably.
- Spill over Members of the Grand/Regional Grand
Lodge deputation, if any, after seating them
on the dais, may be seated in suitable chairs
provided for them between the Secretary and
the Senior Deacon. No Ladies will be seated
on the dais.
- It is not necessary to Tyle the Lodge.
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| 4.2 |
Worshipful Master will call the Lodge to order
by a single knock (followed by S.W. & LVI.) |
| 4.3 |
W.M. will request the Chaplain
to invoke the blessings of God. The following
prayer may be read by the Chaplain of the Lodge:
(Brethren would be requested
to stand to order with sign of reverence)
"Oh Lord our Heavenly Father,
Architect and Ruler of the Universe, who dost
from Thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth,
direct us in all our doings with Thy most gracious
favour and further us with Thy continual help,
that in all our works begun, continued and ended
in Thee, we may glorify Thy Most Holy Name. Amen"
All brethren will say :- "So
Mote it be.
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| 4.4 |
W.M. will request the Director
of Ceremonies of the Lodge to open the VSLs. All
present will stand up - brethren with sign of
reverence (S & C will not be placed on the
open VSL.) Thereafter Brethren, Ladies and Non-Masons
will be seated.
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| 4.5 |
Worshipful Master will make the
following announcement- "Brethren, Ladies
and Gentlemen, we are gathered here today to witness
Long Term Service Jewel presentation of 60/50/40/25
years(as the case may be) to some of our distinguished
Members, at the hands of Most Worshipful the Grand
Master/Right Worshipful the Regional Grand Masters(as
the case may be) in the presence of non-Masons
and Ladies.
Bro. Director of Ceremonies,
you will ascertain whether M.W.the Grand Master!
Right Worshipful the Regional Grand Master( as
the case may be) and the Members of his deputation
are ready to be received. "
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| 4.6 |
The Lodge Director of Ceremonies
will retire and ascertain from the Grand/Regional
Grand Director of Ceremonies( as the case may
be) about the readiness of the deputations, and
announce the same on return back into the Lodge.
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| 4.7 |
The GrandlRegional Grand Director
of Ceremonies will enter and announce the readiness
of the GrandlRegional Grand Master and his deputation
to visit the Lodge, and return while a suitable
escort is arranged by the· W.M. to receive
the deputation.
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| 5. |
Composition of the Deputation
and Procedure for its reception:
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(According to present practice,
60/50 years Jewels are presented by M.W.the Grand
Master or his representative and 40/25 years jewels
by Right Worshipful the Regional Grand Master
or his representative, when these are presented
not together but on separate occasion)
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| 5.1 |
In the case of Jewel Presentation
Ceremony of 60/50 years by IvL\V.the Grand Iv1aster
or his representative, there will be only one
combined Deputation of M.W.the Grand Master wbich
will include the Regional Grand Master of the
Region concerned.
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| 5.2 |
Likewise, in the case of Jewel
Presentation of 60/50 years combined with that
of 40/25 years in a joint ceremony also, there
will be only one combined Deputation of M.W.the
Grand Master or his representative which will
include the Regional Grand Master concerned.
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| 5.3 |
In the case of 40/25 years jewel
presentation, the Regional Grand Master or his
representative will lead the deputation.
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| 5.4 |
The Worshipful Master in the
Chair will arrange a suitable escort consisting
of Members of the Lodge of appropriate seniority
with the IPM or other Senior most Member of the
Lodge to receIve the Deputation.
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| 5.5 |
The appropriate Deputation will
be received in the usual form, with claps from
the brethren( or to the accompaniment of music)
but there will be no salutations on arrival by
the GrandlRegional Grand Master and the Members
of the deputation. Deacons will cope their wands
for Grand/Regional Grand Master. On being directed
by the Grand/Regional Director of Ceremonies,
the Members of the deputation will make a courtesy
bow with sign of reverence to the W.M. in the
Chair, taking their time from the Grand/Regional
Grand Master. The GrandlRegio,nal Grand Master
and the Members of his deputation will be seated
appropriately by the Grand/Regional Grand Director
of Ceremonies. (The W.M. will be requested to
continue in his Chair and conducts the proceedings).
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| 5.6 |
After the Grand Lodge/Regional
Grand Lodge Deputation (as the case may be) are
seated the Grand/Regional Grand Director of Ceremonies
will call upon the Brethren to be upstanding to
greet M.W.the Grand Master/R.W.the Regional Grand
Master, with a single clap taking the time from
him.
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| 6. |
Procedure for Jewel Presentation:
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| 6.1 |
The Worshipful Master in the
Chair will then proceed with the Ceremony of Jewel
presentation, as per prescribed procedure in the
Book of Ceremonials, commencing with suitable
introductory remarks, welcoming M.W. the Grand
Master/R.W.the Regional Grand Master and the Members
of his deputation.
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| 6.2 |
The rest of the procedure for
actual presentation of the jewels will be same
as prescribed in the Book of Ceremonials, subject
to the following:
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- After reading the Masonic Bio data of the
Brethren concerned, during the reading of which
the Brother concerned will remain standing,
the Secretary of the Lodge will also mention
the name of his Spouse who if present, will
also stand up when her name is mentioned and
reciprocate suitably with say a "Namaste".
There is no objection to very brief details
of the immediate member of the family of the
Brethren such as sons/daughters also being mentioned
and recognized if present.
- After the Recipients are seated suitably
after presentation of jewels to them, the Grand/Regional
Grand Director of Ceremonies will request all
present including Brethren, non-Masons and Ladies
to be upstanding to greet the Recipients( collectively
in the case of more than one recipient) with
a single clap, taking the time from him. The
recipient(s) may also respond suitably, either
collectively or singly as may be considered
appropriate.
- As usual the Recipients will be requested
to accompany the Deputation while returning.(No
clapping, but music may be played, if available)
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