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The Director of Ceremonies is an important
Officer. The successful working of the Lodge and its
ceremonies really depend on the Director of Ceremonies
and the way in which he does his work.
It is the duty of the Director of Ceremonies
to see that the ceremonies are carried out with propriety
and decorum, to have the Visitors and Brethren seated
according to their rank, and ensure that the Officers
are in their proper places.
It will be advisable for the Director
of Ceremonies to come to the Lodge a little earlier
than the other Brethren and inspect the Lodge prior
to the commencement of the Ceremony, to see that everything
is in order and that all things required for the Ceremony
are at hand and that the Warrant is placed in the Lodge
room in its proper place.
The Director of Ceremonies should make
himself acquainted not only with the precedence and
order of Officers of the Lodge but also of Grand Officers,
Present and Past, Regional Grand Officers, and the escorts
and salutes due to distinguished Brethren.
In some Lodges, Music is played on
the organ on suitable occasions. Nothing will add more
to the solemnity of the proceedings of the Lodge than
to here music played by a good organist and if there
is one in the Lodge, the Director of Ceremonies should
see that the organist is present.
Generally the Brethren enter the Lodge,
before the opening, in a casual manner. In some Lodges
in England, they used to enter in processions, E.A's
first the F.C's, then M.M. of the Lodge, then Officers
of the Lodge, the I.P.M., the Wardens, followed by the
Master, after whom, the District Grand Lodge and Grand
Lodge Officers and visitors. This entails much delay
and this practice has been abandoned. But even now in
some Lodges the Master and his wardens enter in procession
preceded by the Deacons. The Deacons at the head cross
wands by the L. of the Master's chair and after he has
taken his place they proceed followed by the Wardens
and the J.W. and S.W. respectively also pass under the
wands to their seats. A similar procedure is adopted
when the Master and his Wardens leave after the closing
of the Lodge.
In these matters, there is no hard
and fast rule, and each Lodge has its own traditions
to follow. It is the duty of the Director of Ceremonies
to attend to all details and to see that the collars
and jewels, Gavels. Tracing Boards, columns of Wardens,
the square pavement and the sq. and compasses are all
in their respective places.
The Director of Ceremonies should not
be too ostentatious or officious. If anything needs
attention he should see to it quietly and as unobtrusively
as possible.
Visitors should be properly escorted
to their appropriate seats. The A. D. of C. may do this
under the guidance and direction of the D. of C. It
will also help the A.D. of C. to familiarise himself
with his duties.
It will be a good gesture, if visiting
P.M.'s and other Brethren of higher rank are met at
the entrance and escorted by the D. of C.
Visitors from other Constitutions always
add to the dignity and fraternal spirit. The Director
of Ceremonies should receive them property and conduct
them to their respective places.
The D. of C. should not forget the
proper salutes that have to be given on formal occasions.
The Director of Ceremonies is the only
officer in the Lodge who can or should move about freely
without special direction but it should be done quietly
and in a dignified manner.
During the proceedings in the Lodge,
the D. of C. should watch the manner in which the ceremony
is done by the respective officers and be ready to put
right unobtrusively, anything that may not be properly
done or omitted. His duty is not to precept but to see
that essentials are not omitted.
The Director of ceremonies should keep
a watchful eye when the ceremony in any of the three
degrees is worked. Attention to details, faithful rendering
of the ritual and close adherence to the Rubric are
the essential features of a good Ceremony.
If an Assistant D. of C. is appointed
in a Lodge, the D. of C. should give him friendly counsel
and instruct him and teach him what he should do. Otentimes
the A. D. of C. merely wears his collar without making
himself useful. The A. D. of C. should have sufficient
knowledge to act in the absence of D. of C. This will
be possible only if the A. D. of C. familiarises himself
with the work of the D of C and takes an intelligent
interest in how the D of C works.
It is not good to take advice from
several Brethren when an officer is in doubt. It will
lead to confusion. To avoid this, he should always look
to the D. of C who knows the correct working. The duties
of the D of C also extend to the Diner Table. He should
see that the Tables are laid out in the form of three
side joined by 2 others is the place of the Wor. Master.
On his immediate left is the I.P.M., then the oldest
Past Master of the Lodge and the other PMs according
to their seniority.
An initiate is given the place of honour
at the R. of W.M. and next to him the Grand Officers,
and R. G. Officers. The S. W. is at the head of the
outer cross table to the R. of W. M. and J. W. on the
left. Sometimes before formal toasts are given certain
challenging toasts ae proposed. The D of C should see
that the etiquette is observed of not challenging Brethren
of higher Masonic rank than oneself.
When Ladies Nights are held, the special
instructions issued by Grand Lodge is regard to Toasts
etc. should be strictly followed.
The Director of Ceremonies in a Lodge
should be chosen with care. The Office is a very important
one. There is a practice in some Lodges of offering
it to a Past master in the order of seniority. Every
Past Master need not necessarily be a good Director
of Ceremonies. In appointing the officers, the Master
Elect must have in view the real worth and merit of
the Brethren who can discharge the duties appertaining
to their office efficiently. It is much more so in the
case of Director of Ceremonies who should be proficient
in the ritual, well versed in the rules of procedure
laid down in the rules of procedure laid down in the
B of C, be alert and able to direct the Ceremonies with
dignity. As Wor. Bro. Inman says "The appointment
of a Director of Ceremonies must be of a competent Brother
who is available and ready and willing to undertake
the important duties appertaining to the Office for
it may be truthfully said that a thoroughly efficient
Director of Ceremonies is a boon and a blessing to the
Master and indeed to the Lodge as a whole".
"Like other officer of the Lodge,
the Director of Ceremonies also acts under the authority
of the Master, but the nature of his office is such
that he is regarded as the Master's adjutant and he
is of necessity vested with considerable authority."
"An efficient Director of Ceremonies
is an asset to the Lodge and fortunate indeed will be
a Lodge which, in the Director of Ceremonies has found
the right man in the right place."
It is essential that the D of C should
be an expert in the Ritual of all the ceremonies, and
master of Masonic Etiquette and Jurisprudence and conversant
with the B of C.
One with a commanding appearance combined
with a gentle and courterous demeanour will make a good
D. of C, for on occasions that may arise, this important
officer must speak with the voice of authority. It is
desirable to have an experienced P. M. as D of C. who
by his qualities can win the respect and regard and
ready obedience of his younger Brethren.
"The Officer of D of C is essentially
one of command. he should remember to combine firmness
and dignity with tact and gentleness. All commands should
be given distinctly but without undue shouting. to be
too loud is to risk conveying a hint of arrogance. A
quiet dignity in the execution of his duties earns the
Director of Ceremonies respect and obedience. He should
ever be careful to remember that the Worshipful Master
rings supreme and there should never be the slightest
suggestion that the Director of Ceremonies is endeavouring
to rule the Lodge."
It can be truly said that the ideal
D of C "should be one who combines courtly bearing
with gentle firmness and surely araises his responsible
office to the highest possible heights of dignified
efficiency".
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