Saddleback Laguna
Masonic Lodge No. 672

CONCORDANT MASONIC BODIES

Blue Lodge Masonry through degrees instructs men of every kind, lessons (degrees), which if taken seriously, will make those men, better men. One always asks, how can I teach that in a simple way in 25 words or less? You, as a mason  will be judged by your impression to others.

After a mason gets inquisitive, he might want an explanation of what really happen in those three degrees. The new mason depending on his frame of mind and religious background may take advantage of one of the Rites.

A common question, which one will I get the most satisfaction from? To answer this is like trying to understand women. The outcome is that after one goes one way or another, respects and appreciates the Blue Lodge to an extreme height and in most cases gets involved in the line. Each of the Rites teaches further light in masonry in its own special way.

Scottish Rite

The Scottish Rite is composed of 29 degrees; with the three from Blue Lodge make 32. The degrees are held under the Old Testament, because that’s how the bible is open in Blue Lodge. This takes care of our brethren who are of the Jewish faith.

Each of the degrees teaches further light in masonry: Scottish Rite has the pageantry and beauty of several stage settings expounding the several teaching from Blue Lodge Degrees. Each degree is numbered and is communicated before the degree is presented.

York Rite

The York Rite is composed of degrees, not numbered, but if one wanted a number of degrees, it would be 9 plus the 3 in Blue Lodge. The degrees are conferred under the New Testament and are directed to a Chevalier attitude, thus the Commandery (Orange County Commandery).York Rite has the candidate become active in the degree work, thus a hands on approach.  Much of the same is taught via the degree presented. It’s a journey one cannot miss in life.

Shriners

The Shrine, is the worlds greatest philanthropy. At one time, a brother would have to been a Scottish or York Rite Mason to become a Shriner.

A new ruling about less than two years ago, now reads that to become a Shriner, one must be a Master Mason. Shriners still expound that if you really want to know about masonry, it’s found in the lessons of the Rites (Scottish or York) and in no-other. The Shrine opens many books of Holy Scripture when in session, not just the Holy Bible and with good reason. The Shrine is the playground for Masons.