Lodge Perla del Oriente No. 1034, S.C.

Fraternal Greetings Brethren !

For this month of June, our work shall be the Mark Master Degree. The last time it was given was during the incumbency of Bro. Brian Parsons when he was the RWM (as per report received from a source). So, to all master masons raised from that year up to the present, you are hereby encouraged to join this conferral this coming Saturday, July 18^th, 4:00 pm sharp.

All members of the Conferral Team are also hereby summoned by our Director of Ceremonies to attend our practice on Tuesday, July 14^th, 4:00 pm. Due to that long lapse of time, we got rusty, badly need this practice, honed ourselves and give justice to our assigned parts.

0 – O - 0

Brethren, the end of my term is nearing its end and honestly it is giving me anxieties and apprehensions. I’d like to see that the incoming officers shall show more concern, actively participate in every meetings, programs, activities and other undertakings by Perla. They have to show to the other members/brethren that they are hands on capable leaders, are really interested and are ready to assume higher positions. Honestly, I still do not see these qualities in some of our incoming officers, I hope I am wrong, they have to prove me wrong.

For me the incoming months can be considered the dark age of Perla, the finality of GLOS decision on our appeal for reconsideration of Lodge Perla not to be under the District Grand Lodge of Far East is like a sword of Damocles hanging in our heads, the incoming nomination/election of new set of office bearers for next year is also worisome… with these resignations of some of our officers, who shall fill the void vacuums they will left behind. Hoping they will reconsider. If not, then we have a big problem.

With these, let me make an APPEAL to all past right worshipful masters of Perla, please return to our fold, be active again, assist and guide our incoming office bearers. If you really love and care Perla, now is the time to show it. Your Lodge needs you now. Perla wants you back.

For the love of Perla…..

Fraternally,

Danilo C. Datu Sr.
Right Worshipful Master

SECRETARY’S MESSAGE

SECRETARY’S MESSAGE

SOME PECULIAR FACTS ABOUT THE MMM DEGREE

This month of July, as the Lodge usually undertakes every two years, a MMM degree work shall be conducted.

The authority of a Scottish Lodge (in this case, LPDO) to confer the MMM degree is derived from an agreement (Appendix 6 of the GLoS Constitution and Laws) dating back to 19 December 1860 and later re-affirmed on 03 June 1921 between the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland (SGRACS) and the Grand Lodge of Scotland (GLoS).

By virtue of this agreement, there are two bodies (i.e., a Lodge under the GLoS and a Chapter under the SGRACS) which may confer the degree on candidates who must be Master Masons of good standing. The degree is conferred by either a lodge or chapter using the same ritual, but only in the presence of those who have received the degree from a Lodge or Chapter entitled to grant it. In this country, there is only one chapter under the SGRACS which is allowed to confer the MMM degree (i.e., the Keystone Chapter No. 354). In other words, a member of LPDO in good standing may choose to receive his MMM degree from the lodge or the chapter. And in case he chooses and has in fact received the MMM degree from the lodge, upon seeking admission into chapter, he no longer is required to receive the MMM degree anew from the chapter. Incidentally, it is only in the conferral of the MMM degree that allows more than 5 candidates, which is the maximum limit of the number of candidates for workings in the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd degrees (Law 177). On the other hand, a Scottish lodge may only confer the MMM degree on a brother who is a member of a lodge under the Scottish Constitution (i.e., under the GLoS), which therefore requires a brother from a different jurisdiction to first be affiliated with a Scottish lodge (Law 178).

Oftentimes, one hears that the MMM degree is the Fourth Degree in Masonry, which seem to contradict Law 1 of the GLoS Constitution and Laws, which mandates only three degrees of Freemasonry or the Basic Principles of Grand Lodge Recognition (Appendix 3 of the GLoS Constitution and Laws) which refers only to three symbolic degrees. However, this apparent contradiction is more of a matter of perspective, as the MMM degree – as far as the GLoS is concerned – is simply a second part of the FC degree, while it is the SGRACS which considers it as a fourth degree.

At all events, matters affecting the MMM degree are under the superintendence of the SGRACS, being the body claiming sole authority over the degree, whether in Scotland, England or aboard.

Fraternally,

Senen A. S. De Santos, PM
Lodge Secretary