York
Rite York Rite is composed of three
distinct groups; Royal Arch Masons, organized into Chapter,
Cryptic Masons, organized into Consistories,
and Knights Templar, organized into Commanderies.
There are almost 1,300 York Rite
organizations in communities across the United States, Germany,
Italy and Mexico, with over 145,000 members. Similar bodies
exist in other countries as well.
Scottish Rite
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish
Rite of Freemasonry is commonly known as the Scottish Rite. It
is one of several appendant groups of the worldwide fraternity
known as Freemasonry. Each Valley has up to four Scottish Rite
bodies, and each body confers a set of degrees. In the
Southern
Jurisdiction these are the Lodge of Perfection (4°–14°), Chapter
of Rose Croix (15°–18°), Council of Kadosh (19°–30°), and the
Consistory (31°–32°). The Supreme Council confers the 33rd
Degree of Sovereign Grand Inspector General.
Shriners offers men and their families an opportunity to meet
new friends who have similar interests. There are 191 Shrine
Temples, or chapters, located in the United States, Canada,
Mexico and the Republic of Panama. Informal Shrine Clubs are
located around the world. Shriners of North America have a
philanthropic mission as well-- to support Shriners Hospitals
for Children, a world-class network of 22 pediatric specialty
hospitals located throughout the United States, Canada and
Mexico. Since 1922, Shriners Hospitals for Children have
significantly improved the lives of more than 800,000 children.
The Order of the
Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world
to which both men and women may belong. Worldwide, there are
approximately 1 million members.
Eastern Star is a social order comprised of persons with
spiritual values but it is not a religion. Its appeal rests in
the true beauty of the refreshing and character-building lessons
that are so sincerely portrayed in its ritualistic work. A deep
fraternal bond exists between its members. It is the wholesome
relationship of sisterly and brotherly love brought about
through high principles exemplified in our lives which makes us
near and dear to each other.
The Social
Order of the Beauceant is an organization of Christian Women
whose membership is limited to the wives and widows of
Knights Templar. Today's
Beauceant is an order with a long history of support to the
Commandery, one that has proven to be a source of pleasure and
benefit to both the ladies and Sir Knights.
National Sojourners, Inc., is a national
fraternal organization meeting the needs of military
Masons and advancing programs that promote love of country.
Membership in National Sojourners is open to citizens of the
United States who are Master Masons in good standing in a duly
constituted Lodge of Master Masons recognized by and maintaining
fraternal relations with a majority of the Regular Grand Lodges
in the United States and who are serving or have served
honorably as;
- a Commissioned Officer or
Warrant Officer of the uniformed services of
the United States,
- a
Senior Non-Commissioned
Officer of the uniformed services of the
United States, (E5,
6 & 7 prior to 1958 - E7, 8 & 9 as of 1958),
- have served in time of war
as a Commissioned Officer or Warrant Officer
or the equivalent in an armed service of a
nation allied with the United States,
- or are regularly elected to
Honorary Membership.
National
Sojourners
