SCOTTISH RITE – AUSTRALIA

Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for Australia

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for Australia:

1 Is a unified Order nationwide, Australia’s only National MasonicBody – One Nation – One Order –Same Ritual

1 Has two streams of Membership; onerequiring Trinitarian belief and theother open to Brethren of all faiths

1 Our Meetings are usually heldapproximately 4 times per year, so thetime and financial commitment is notonerous

1 Is governed by the Supreme Councilfor Australia, every Chapter acrossAustralia works under the one set of Regulations.

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Worldwide:

1 Is the largest body of Freemasons inthe world working under a singleconstitution. In numbers of membersit is second only to Craft Freemasonry

1 Is also known as Rose CroixFree masonry (18°)

1 Is the only Masonic Order that provides an opportunity for theadvancement to the 33°

You can become a Rose Croix Mason!

The term Scottish does not imply that theRite came from Scotland. In fact it wasdeveloped in Europe and ‘Scottish’ is thetranslation of the French word ‘Ecossais’,from their Ecossais degrees.

So that you may know something aboutthe Rite, set out below is a portion of itshistory.

One of the important degrees in the Rite,now known as the Rose Croix Degree, isclaimed to date from before 1700. Indeedby about 1730 some 12 versions of thedegree existed. In its early years the Degreehad an interesting history and was an inte-gral part in what were known as ‘The HighGrades of Masonry’. The 1762 Constitu-tions of the Rite of Perfection listed it asthe 18th Degree (5th Grade) in the twentyfive Degrees of that Rite which rapidlyspread throughout the ‘Masonic World’.

Under ‘The Grand Constitutions of 1786’,the Rite of Perfection was reorganised andextended to the 33rd and last Degree ofFreemasonry. It was renamed the ‘Ancientand Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry’,with the Rose Croix Degree continuing asthe Eighteenth Degree in the new Rite.

While the Craft degrees are acknowledgedto be the foundation stone of all Freema-sonry, the instruction given in the Craftdegrees is, however, seldom fully graspedby the candidate. He needs further instruc-tion and enlightenment to understand thegreat truths which Freemasonry possessesand teaches. The Craft degrees are but thewonderful entrance to the great Temple ofFreemasonry. He who would seek morelight, more knowledge of the mission andsymbolism of Freemasonry, a more com-plete interpretation of the teachings of theCraft degrees, as well as acceptance into avery special fellowship and Brotherhood,can obtain these within this Rite.

Under ‘The GrandConstitutions of 1786’,the Rite of Perfectionwas reorganised andextended to the 33rd

and last Degree ofFreemasonry. It was

renamed the ‘Ancientand Accepted ScottishRite of Freemasonry’,with the Rose Croix

Degree continuing asthe Eighteenth Degree

in the new Rite.

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The Rite is, thus, broadly appealing to MasterMasons of good character who are interested indeveloping their Masonic knowledge and theircircle of Masonic friendships. If this is you, thenyou can be sure of a hearty welcome within aChapter of the Rite.

The Supreme Council for Australia, which is the sovereignauthority for the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite inAustralia, is led by a Sovereign Grand Commander,who is supported by the Officers of Supreme Council(the 'Tableau'), comprising the Regional Commandersand the Grand Secretary General. The Chapters andCouncils, which are the regular working bodies of theRite, are aggregated into Districts led by a District Com-mander, and these into Regions led by a Regional Com-mander.

To become a member of our Rite you must be amember in good standing of a Craft Lodge owingallegiance to an Australian Grand Lodge or aGrand Lodge in amity with an Australian GrandLodge. To remain a member of the Rite, you willbe required to remain a member of a recognisedCraft Lodge. Your three Craft degrees areaccepted as equivalent to the first threedegrees of this Rite. If you truly seekgreater knowledge of Freemasonry,we invite you to apply to joinour Order. I am sure that youwill find the experience bothuplifting and rewarding.

SCOTTISH RITE – AUSTRALIA

JUNE 2013 ASSOCIATED MASONIC ORDERS 9

18th Degree 30th Degree 31st Degree 32nd Degree 33rd Degree

You can become a Rose Croix Mason

Australian Constitution Regalia

Contact: Grand Secretary General Phone: (02) 9267 2089

Email: admin@scottishrite.org.auWebsite: www.scottishrite.org.au

Introducing the

Ancient andAcceptedScottish Rite

of

Freemasonryin Australia

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