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Grand Orient USA
The Grand Orient of the United States of America (GOUSA) is a continuation of the cosmopolitan Masonic traditions practiced by brothers such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and the Marquis de Lafayette[1]. Their lineage can be traced back through the Grand Orient of France to the original speculative Grand Lodge of London that was established in 1717[2]. The traditions and ideas of the GOUSA are at the very core of the types of Enlightenment thinking that eventually resulted in the freedoms enjoyed by every American today.[3]
History
editThe Grand Orient USA (GOUSA) was formed to bring back the principles of Modern[4] Freemasonry to the United States of America. It was first opened under the name United Grand Lodge of America (UGLA) on December 27, 2005, in Atlanta, Georgia by Master Masons from Antient Freemasonry, 192 years to the day of the merger in 1813. Shortly afterwards the name was changed to the Grand Orient USA to more closely align itself with the other Modern obediences located in Europe and other parts of the world.
Moderns vs. Antients is a well known schism that occurred in Freemasonry in England, and carried over to America in the early 18th century. This schism came to an end with the merger of the Antient Grand Lodge of England ("Antients") and the Premier Grand Lodge of England ("Moderns") into the United Grand Lodge of England in 1813. The merger was agreed upon, although with reservations by many Modern Brothers[citation needed], by the two Grand Masters of the opposing sides, the Grand Master of the Ancients (the Duke of Kent) and the Grand Master of the Moderns (the Duke of Sussex).[5][6]
Masonic Rites
editIn addition to the Preston-Webb rituals used by the majority of American Grand Lodges, the Grand Orient USA offers rites not practiced by most mainstream lodges in America. The GOUSA does not recognize any degree higher than that of Master Mason but does, for educational purposes, offer additional degrees termed "High Grades" for their lodges to practice. These rites include:
- Modern Rite
- Cosmopolitan Rite
- Rectified Scottish Rite
- Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite
- Emulation Rite
Membership
editMembership within the Grand Orient USA is not as easy of a process as it is with their Antient counterparts. You must first contact the GOUSA and fill out a lengthy petition including your civilian Curriculum Vita (CV) and if you are currently a Mason include your Masonic CV. Once your application is processed including lengthy discussions with no less than three GOUSA Master Masons, criminal background checks, you will then begin by being initiated as an Entered Apprentice.
You will remain an Entered Apprentice for no less than eight months. During the course of your eight month trial you will be required to actively participate in not only the Masonic aspects of the fraternity but also actively involved in their other organizations such as the 501(c)(3) Halcyon Charities and the 501(c)(4) Civic Virtue Center. You will be required to write and present no less than three research papers, two of your choosing and one topic picked for you. Once you complete the required probationary time period and the required work the Brothers or Sisters of your lodge will then vote to pass you to the Fellow Craft degree.
The requirements for Fellow Craft are exactly the same as for the Entered Apprentice with one exception, you are allowed to pick all three topics for your next research papers. Once you have completed the requirements for Fellow Craft, your Brothers and Sisters will again vote whether to raise you to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Once raised to the degree of Master Mason, the highest degree recognized by the GOUSA, you are then afforded all the rights and privileges that are associated with that degree.
Grand Masters
edit- 2005 - 2006 Aaron Peavy
- 2006 - 2008 John Slifko
- 2008 - 2011 Jeff Peace
External links
editNotes
edit- ^ Ayers, Hannah "Founding Freemasons: Ancient and Modern Masons in the Founding Era of America with Particular Emphasis on Masons Benjamin Franklin and George Washington"
- ^ Ayers, Hannah "Founding Freemasons: Ancient and Modern Masons in the Founding Era of America with Particular Emphasis on Masons Benjamin Franklin and George Washington"
- ^ Grand Orient USA "Web Site"
- ^ Ayers, Hannah "Founding Freemasons: Ancient and Modern Masons in the Founding Era of America with Particular Emphasis on Masons Benjamin Franklin and George Washington"
- ^ Stephen Knight, The Brotherhood (Los Altos, CA: Acacia Press, Inc., 1984), 28
- ^ Jessica Harland-Jacobs, Builders of Empire: Freemasons and British Imperialism, 1717-1927, (UNC Press, 2007), 148
These guys have dried up and blown away.They no longer exist.