Handbook for the Lodge Director of Ceremoniessussexmarkmastermasons.org.uk/Downloads/Handbooks/DCHandboo… · Lodge Director of Ceremonies ... Mark Ritual No. 1 (2000) ... Using

Lodge Directorof Ceremonies

Handbook for the

This pictorial guide is compiled to be useful and instructive to any Lodge Director of

Ceremonies or Assistant Director of Ceremonies. It should also prove beneficial to any

Brother who may be interested at some stage in taking on either of these offices. The

Mark Ritual No. 1 (2000) and Mark Ritual No. 2 (1998 reprinted 2001), published under

the authority of the General Board of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, both give

full details of all ceremonies, so it is not necessary to comment on them here.

This guide is therefore intended to concentrate on various aspects of Ceremonial

procedure that do not appear in the ritual. It must be emphasized that

this booklet is not a directive but a guide to help you.

A DC should remember though that something that is done incorrectly

or differently that passes without comment once, may be repeated

a second time. By the third occasion, it is regarded as being a

‘Lodge Tradition’.

So, using any orderly guide, as long as it’s

correct and you always use it, ensures that

innovation does not creep in to the intended design, and that the

ancient and established landmarks, traditions and ceremonial of

the Order, are maintained.

Page 2 Handbook for the Director of Ceremonies

Welcome

PLAYING YOUR PART

“Being a Lodge DC is all about presence, quiet confidence and

of course, knowing the ropes. If you are well prepared then

you and the Lodge will always enjoy trouble free ceremonies

and meetings. Let’s all work together to get it right - and

above all, let’s have fun!”Fraternally - Mike

02. Welcome

03. Contents

04. Getting Started

05. Setting Up - Preparation for a Lodge Meeting

06. Pre-Meeting Checks

08. Working Together

10. During the Meeting

13. Procedures

15. In and Out - Processions

16. Orientation - the Form of a Mark Lodge

17. Provincial Procession - Outgoing

19. The Festive Board

20. Finishing Up - The Final Word


Contents

The Director of Ceremonies Duties

The Director of Ceremonies is ultimately responsible for the efficient and smooth running

of all procedures, both in Lodge and at the Festive Board. This largely depends on the

enthusiasm and skill of the DC.

The responsibility of ensuring that the proceedings are carried out correctly rests

entirely with the DC who should also not sit back at the Festive Board and leave

everything to the Worshipful Master and Immediate Past Master. The final ‘can’ therefore

rests fairly and squarely on the shoulders of the DC.

A sound working knowledge of the ceremonies is essential, as is an ability to

communicate with the Brethren without being officious or uncivil. The Director of

Ceremonies must also be proficient on all matters of etiquette and protocol and be

conversant with the Constitutions and Regulations of the Order. It is essential that he

has the respect of the Brethren, so the DC should be tactful and have a commanding

presence.

A good DC will instil a relaxed and confident atmosphere and is one who controls the

procedure by a glance, nod of the head or a slight movement of the hand. He should

not be intrusive but always ready to prompt if required. Hence ‘forward planning’ is an

essential element in the efficient and smooth running on the Meeting and Festive Board.

It should be mentioned that ‘forward planning’ includes delegation. Remember, your

Assistant DC and any additional ADC at the Installation Meeting, will be only too pleased

to be part of the team.

Director of Ceremonies Kit

● Spare tie

● Two large safety pins (much appreciated if somebody’s regalia comes adrift at a

crucial moment)

● Couple of sticky plasters (all sorts of temporary repairs)

● Box of matches or a lighter FCopy of the Ritual Book(s)


Getting Started

An early arrival at Lodge Meetings is essential. The DC should endeavour to arrive at

least half an hour before the start.

Before the Lodge Meeting, the DC should check that everything required for the

Ceremony is available and in its proper place. Although this is primarily the duty of the

Tyler, the DC should check everything himself.

● Volume of the Sacred Law ● Candles

● Mallet and Chisel (for VSL) ● Warrant

● Constitutions & Regulations ● Gavels

● Glass of water for Worshipful Master ● Working Plans

● Tracing Board ● Mallet and Chisel (For Inner Guard)

● Mark Token (For payment of wages) ● Collars (& Gauntlets if used)

● Apron & Jewel for use in the ceremony ● Wands and Stands

● Kneeling Stools ● Ashlars and Keystone

● Ballot Box and Balls ● Banner (if used)

● Collection Bags

In addition to the above, the Master’s pedestal should have a working plan showing a

Keystone. The Senior Warden’s pedestal should have two wickets in a vertical position,

each having a hole for the insertion of a hand. The column, level, tripod or perfect

ashlars used in a craft Lodge, should not be on the pedestal.

The Junior Warden’s pedestal should have an axe placed on top (No column,

plumb rule or rough ashlars to be placed on the pedestal). On top of each of the three

Overseers’s pedestals should be laid a mallet and a square, together with a working plan

showing a square and oblong ashlars.

It is the duty of the DC to ensure the Brethren, particularly visitors, are aware of the

Fire escapes and Assembly Points in the event of evacuation


Setting Up - Preparation for a Lodge Meeting

FURNITURE:

Volume of the Sacred Law

The Sacred Volume should be marked in order that it can be opened to the right page of

Second Book of Chronicles, Chapter 2 so that the candidate may read it.

It is important that the working tools are placed thereon correctly, ie chisel with

the hilt to the South, beneath and at right angles to the Mallet, which should have the

handle towards the Master.

Candles

WORSHIPFUL MASTER

CANDIDATE / BRETHREN

The candles at the Master and Wardens pedestals are lit before the Lodge is opened,

(2000 Ritual page 4)

Kneeling Stools

Two are required, one in front of the Masters pedestal, the other in the West but NOT in

front of the pedestal of the Senior Warden.

Stones and Working Aprons

A square ashlar for use by the Senior Deacon, an oblong ashlar for use by the Junior

Deacon and a Keystone for use by the Candidate, should be provided outside the door of

the Lodge together with three large working aprons.

Marks

A choice of two or three Marks for each Candidate should be prepared in advance and

located at the secretary’s table for the Register of Marks to show to the Candidate. Each

mark is constructed by straight lines but must not incorporate a triangle.


Pre-Meeting Checks

▲

▲

MASONIC DRESS:

It is the DC’s responsibility to ensure that the Brethren are properly attired. Generally

this would include a white shirt with the appropriate Mark tie (or bow tie), black shoes

and preferably dark socks.

Jewels

The only Jewels that are permitted to be worn in a mark Lodge are those appertaining to

the Mark and the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners (Including Past

Commander’s Jewel and collaret’s for RAM Grand Rank and Provincial RAM Grand Rank)

The Mark jewel is worn nearest the centre of the body with others to the left.

Collars

It is customary for a Grand Officer/Provincial/District/Overseas Grand Officer or Past

Master, to wear the apron of his rank and a collar bearing the jewel of his rank. If such

a Brother holds an Office in his Lodge he will, when attending that Lodge, wear only one

collar, i.e. his Lodge Officer’s collar bearing the jewel of his office.

It is permissible to wear two collars at Installation Meetings when the Lodge collar

will be removed prior to the Installation ceremony. An active Grand Officer should

remove his chain before being invested as a Lodge Officer. A collar must never be placed

over a chain. Masters of other Lodges should not wear their Master’s collar.

Candidates

A Mark apron and Jewel for each candidate are placed at the pedestal of the Senior

Warden. The apron(s) having been adjusted to fit the candidate(s), before the Meeting.

The candidate must wear a Craft Master Masons apron. One should be provided in

the anti-room, in case the candidate does not bring his own.


Signs

Using the correct signs of the degree can sometimes present a problem, especially to

those Brethren who attend Lodge infrequently or who are relatively new to the Degree.

It is important that the DC always sets the standard with the signs of the Degree.

The correct sign is clearly explained in the Ceremony of Advancement. The step

described therein is taken before giving any signs except for the sign of Reverence.

An endeavour should be made to encourage all Brethren to give the sign together,

taking the time from the Lodge DC. When giving the sign, Brethren should give it smartly.

Sign of Reverence

The sign of Reverence is given with the right hand over the region

of the heart, with the thumb close to the index finger. This sign

should be shown during all Prayers. The Chaplain reads the prayers

and Holy Writ, with a small bible in the palm of an open hand or

from a lectern when available.

Sign of Fidelity

The sign of Fidelity is given with the right hand

placed over the region of the heart with

the thumb at right angles to the

index finger.


Working Together

Prompting

The Immediate Past Master should be the only one prompting the WM. (Preferably

without the use of a book) but the DC should be ready with a prompt if the IPM is not

fully conversant with the Ritual.

The DC should be prepared to give a prompt that may be needed by any other Officer,

or to arrange for suitably qualified Brethren to be so placed in the Lodge, to enable

them to perform this duty. A prompt should be as discreet as possible and care should be

taken that prompts do not come from all quarters. The hard and fast rule is IPM prompts

Master and DC prompts officers.

The use of the Ritual Book during the course of any ceremony is discouraged as it

devalues the proceedings. The only exception would be the IPM (Ritual book concealed

behind a summons) or the Chaplain, who should read all prayers. This will ensure that

the Candidate gets the best impression of the Degree.

It does not add to the dignity of the Meeting if the DC regularly approaches the

Master during the proceedings and whispers to him. It also detracts from the flow of

the Meeting, if the DC crosses the Lodge floor as a result of signals from the Secretary.

Should such a need arise; the DC should wait for a suitable break in the proceedings.

The best DC is seen but unheard. If the ceremony has been completed without the DC

appearing to have done or said anything, he will have done the best job possible because

he will have properly prepared the brethren beforehand.


Brethren Arriving After the Opening of the Lodge

Latecomers who are visitors, should be met at the door by the DC or ADC and escorted

to a seat. There is no requirement to do this if the latecomer is a member but a newly

Advanced brother may benefit from being met and helped through the sign. Grand

Officers should be escorted to their seats at all times, as should Provincial Grand Officers

if possible.

The DC should ensure that the Grand Officers sit in accordance with their Grand

Rank, in seniority from the Master. An acting Grand Officer of the year takes precedence

over a past Grand Officer of the same rank but not of a higher one.

Visitors should receive a few words of welcome as they are escorted to their seats. If

the following are attending -

● Provincial Grand Master ● Deputy Provincial Grand Master

● Assistant Provincial Grand Master ● Official Representative of the PGM

The DC should ensure that a seat is kept free for him immediately on the North side

of the Worshipful Master, together with a seat for his escorting DC, immediately to the

East of the Senior Deacon.

Ceremony of Advancement: Ritual No. 1

The art of the Director of Ceremonies is to maintain the correct procedure for the

Advancement Ceremony, as published in Ritual No. 1 (2000), to see that the ceremonies

are carried out with propriety and decorum at all times; without being too officious and

if anything does need attention, to see to it as unobtrusively as possible.

Where more than one candidate is to be advanced, it is strongly recommended

that each candidate should be taken separately for the first part of the Ceremony; in

particular for the examination of materials, for the rejection of the Keystone, for the

payment of wages and discovery of the impostor and the finding of the Keystone.

The second candidate should remain in the care of the Tyler until the first candidate has

recovered the Keystone. The Ceremony up to that point will then be repeated for the

second candidate. Both candidates will then be entrusted with the signs, grips and words

with the Junior Deacon taking charge of the second candidate.

The heaving over of the Keystone and the search and recovery of it by the candidate,

is meant to be symbolic. Care should be taken that embellishments are not introduced


During the Meeting

that would confuse or embarrass the candidate(s).

The Mark Lecture and the Mark Tracing Board

The Lecture on the Mark Master Mason’s Degree and Lecture on the Tracing Board should

be given as often as practicable. It should always be remembered that a ceremony or

lecture delivered with feeling, warmth and sincerity, albeit not word perfect, is to be

preferred to a monosyllabic delivery that is word perfect but given in an unfeeling,

impersonal and detached manner.

Installation Meeting

The Installation Meeting is not only the highlight of the Lodge year but one in which the

DC is most heavily involved. It requires a great deal of preparation and organisation.

The Master Elect and the Installing Master will both look to the DC for assistance and

the benefit of your experience at such meetings. A pre-prepared typed set of “Master’s

Notes” to be read in accompaniment with the published Agenda will prove invaluable to

the Master. For example, a note that details the names of the Installed Masters who will

be occupying the Wardens Chairs and the Inner Guard for the Inner Working.

The installing Master should have been given a copy of the latest version of Mark

Ritual No 2 (Inner Workings) issued by the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons to present

to the newly installed Worshipful Master. This will give the new Master sufficient time to

learn and deliver the Installation Ceremony of his own successor.

It is quite in order for the Worshipful Master (seated) to thank the Officers of his year,

from their present seated positions, rather than inviting them to line up in the North in

order of seniority. This not only saves time but it is much more orderly. Those Officers

should leave their collars on the backs of their chairs.

The Installing Master will invite Past Masters to occupy the Wardens Chairs and to

undertake the office of Inner Guard during the Inner Workings during the installation of

the new Master. The Wardens and Inner Guard of the year, remove their collars and place

them on the backs of their chairs and the two Wardens of the year proffer their gavels

to the Past Masters taking their chairs for the Inner Workings before being conducted to

seats elsewhere.

If one of the Wardens is the Master Elect, he should be seated just West of the ADC.


Other officers, without invitation, continue to discharge their duties.

The Mark Ritual No 2 1998 (Reprinted 2001) gives clear and concise guidance for the

shortened form of Installation of a Master, who is already an Installed Master (Induction),

and the Proclamation of a Master who is to continue in Office for a second year.

It is advantageous to enlist the help of a second ADC during the investiture of Officers

for the ensuing year. This will save time and ensure a smooth continuous investiture. The

DC will ask the Master whom he appoints to each office, from a point just East of the

Master Overseer’s pedestal.

If a Dispensation is to be read, ensure that it is done and at the correct time. The DC

does not salute as he has a wand in his hand, a court bow will suffice.

The ADC’s will escort all those to be invested to the DC, together with the respective

collar. The DC in turn will present Past Masters to the South side of the pedestal and all

others to the North side of the pedestal.

Remind the ADC’s that -

● Gavels are not brought to the pedestal for presentation to the Wardens and Overseers.

● The Junior Warden’s axe is not bought to the pedestal

● The Working plans are not presented to the Overseers

● Wands are not presented to the Deacons or Assistant Director of Ceremonies

The Master invests each officer with a few appropriate words. there are no formal

addresses to officers to be invested and it is inappropriate to use Craft ritual when

investing the Wardens and Deacons.

If the explanation of the Keystone Jewel is to given, it can be delivered either by

the Installing Master or a Past Master, when the Jewel changes hands after the By-laws

are presented. The four Addresses may be delivered by the Installing Master or by Past

Masters, who should be conducted by the DC to the relevant position, remains nearby to

a give discreet prompt if required, then conducting the Past Master back to his seat.

As a matter of courtesy, those delivering an Address, will salute the Worshipful Master

before commencing and after completing each address.

The Master, his Wardens and Overseers do not stand for their respective Addresses.


PGM visits a Lodge Escorted by the Prov GDC or an Acting DC

It is important for the Lodge DC to arrive at the Temple at least 45 minutes before

the start of the Meeting, particularly if the Official Visitor is to be accompanied by a

delegation. This will allow sufficient time to meet the escorting DC who will wish to

discuss with you the formation of the processions. Sufficient places should be reserved

for delegation members, ideally evenly spread and in the rows immediately behind

the DC in the South and the Senior Deacon in the North (Mark) or behind the DC and

Scribe/Treasurer (RAM). The escorting DC will require a reserved seat and a wand stand,

immediately to the East of the Senior Deacon’s chair. A ‘Reserved’ card would be helpful

to ensure that the seat is not occupied before the arrival of the escorting DC.

The Lodge DC, ADC and the two Deacons will form the escort to the procession.

Although the escorting DC will give instruction to you before the Meeting, it would be

helpful to pre- warn the Deacons during rehearsals, so that the Senior Deacon when

called should stand behind the DC and the Junior Deacon should stand behind the ADC,

bearing in mind that the deacons may change during an installation meeting and you will

need to talk to their successors too.

The escorting DC will request admittance to the Lodge by way of the usual report.

(Tyler gives knocks of the degree.) Having entered the Lodge, he will stand in the North

West, taking care not to stand between the Master and the Senior Warden, giving a court

bow to the Worshipful Master and announce that the R. W. Provincial Grand Master is in

attendance and demands admission. The Worshipful Master should be advised that the

words, ‘We will be pleased to receive him’ are preferred and not, ‘Admit him.’

When the escorting DC calls on the Lodge DC to assist him, you will, facing west,

take up a position in the South just West of the Junior Warden’s pedestal, with your ADC

on your left and the Deacons behind you. If the Official Visitor is not accompanied by a

delegation, then the escorting DC may invite Grand Officers and Active Provincial Grand

Officers to form a procession in order of seniority. When all are in position, follow the

instructions of the escorting DC.

The procession re-enters the Lodge, led by the Lodge DC, ADC, SD and JD with the

Grand Officers/Delegation in reverse order, juniors first, moving in two columns to the

North of the Overseers pedestals, halting in the East and turning inwards.

Before the procession and escort enters the Lodge, the escorting DC will call the


Procedures

Brethren To Order’. The brethren will stand, without sign, leaving both hands free for

spontaneous applause when the Official Visitor enters the Lodge.

He will proceed between the two columns to the Worshipful Master who welcomes

him (using minimal words) and who offers the gavel (if appropriate).

Wands are NOT raised in processions.

Without an Escorting DC and the Lodge has already Opened

The Tyler will knock once following which the Inner Guard will announce that the R.

W. PGM is without and demands admission. The Worshipful Master will then instruct

the Lodge DC to form the necessary procession to receive the PGM. The procedure is

as described in No. 1 above with the Lodge DC taking the place of the Escorting DC and

that the ADC alone leads the procession in and out of the Lodge. It will therefore be the

responsibility of the Lodge DC to give the salutations, as below.


PGM To Order Brethren (All rise). Brethren we are honoured by the presence of R. W. Bro (PGM’s Name), the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master for the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of (Province) and I call upon you to salute him with seven, taking the time with me. Mark* * ** x7or RAM*** *x7

Dep PGM To Order Brethren (All rise) Brethren, we are honoured by the presence of (V.) W. Bro. (Dep PGM’s Name), (Honorifics), the (Very) Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of (Province), and I call upon you to salute him with five, taking the time with me. Mark* * **x5 or To Order Brethren (All rise). Brethren we are honoured by the presence of W. Bro. (Dep PGM’s Name), Holder of Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank, the Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of (Province), and I call upon you to salute him with five, taking the time with me. RAM *** * x 5

Asst PGM To Order Brethren (All rise). Brethren, we are honoured by the presence of (V.) W. Bro. (Asst PGM’s Name), (Honorifics), the (Very) Worshipful Assistant Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of (Province), and I call upon you to salute him with five, taking the time with me. Mark * * ** x 5

To Order Brethren (All rise). Brethren we are honoured by the presence of W. Bro. (Asst PGM’s Name), Holder of Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank, the Worshipful Assistant Provincial Grand master of the Provincial Grand LodgeofMarkMasterMasonsof(Province), and I call upon you to salute him with five, taking the time with me. RAM *** * x 5

The order of incoming and outgoing processions is given in diagrams in the following

section.

The general rule is juniors first, on the left going IN and seniors first on the right

going OUT.

The procession into the Lodge needs to be assembled in good time by the DC not the

Tyler. The DC should check that all Officers are properly attired and wearing the correct

collars.

An efficient DC will be ready to call the Brethren to Order at the stated time.

The DC stands at the entrance to the lodge Room and gives the command - “To order

Brethren, to receive the Worshipful Master, attended by his Wardens and Officers of the

Lodge.”

Following the procession IN, the Worshipful Master, and the Wardens should

immediately occupy their pedestals but wait until the Lodge is opened to be seated.

For the purposes of Orientation, the form of a typically laid out Mark Lodge is

illustrated on the next page.

In Mark Masonry the Lodge is not squared as is done in some Craft Rituals.

A procession around the Lodge does not require stopping on the corners. All

perambulations should be continuous, except when a Candidate is perambulating

during a Ceremony under the guidance of the Senior Deacon.

Wands are NOT raised in processions.


In and Out - Processions


Orientation - the Form of a Mark Lodge

PGM Retires from the Lodge Before the Closing Ceremony:

Escorted by an Escorting DC

The Official Visitor is most likely to address lodge during the Second Rising and retire

thereafter. The escorting DC will rise at his position in the North East and announce that

the Official Visitor is about to retire.

The DC, ADC , SD and JD will take post as in the diagram to the right. The escorting

DC will then place the Visiting Officer and other retiring Grand Officers in the correct

position in the procession, behind the Deacons.

When called forward, the procession and escort will proceed out of the Lodge where

the DC, ADC, SD and JD turn, re-enter the Lodge and resume their places.

Without an Escorting DC

The DC should ascertain when the Official Visitor wishes to retire, probably after he has

addressed the lodge on the second Rising. You will need to maintain eye contact with the

official Visitor and at the appropriate time, announce the departure of the Official Visitor

and assume the responsibilities of the escorting DC as above, with The ADC leading the

procession.

Officers of Grand Lodge, holding or having held identical active or past ranks, take

rank amongst themselves in order of appointment, provided that Officers of the

year take precedence of those holding the corresponding past rank.

Remember, seniors are always on the right and the brother to his left will be senior

to the brother on the right of the row behind.

Provincial Officers of the year below the attending officers (Wardens and Overseers)

take precedence over those of the same Past rank.


Provincial Procession - Outgoing


Maintaining Control

The Festive Board affords opportunity for informality and relaxation, but full enjoyment

of the occasion does depend on maintaining the dignity and decorum appropriate to

a gathering of Freemasons. The new WM should be reminded that his work is far from

finished when he leaves the Lodge Room. Careful planning with the assistance of the DC

and Lodge Secretary is required to ensure the second half of the Installation Meeting runs

smoothly.

The DC is responsible for conducting all proceedings and announcements at the

Festive Board, including the ‘Fire’. Discourage announcements from other brethren who

think that they are ‘helping’ (e.g. “we will now draw the raffle”) and channel all such

announcements through yourself, via the Master.

Be sure to always check first that when the Master, the PGM or his representative,

wish to take wine with the Brethren, whether it is their wish that the brethren remain

seated. Do not assume anything, always ask.

A DC, who may be a Grand Officer or Provincial Grand Officer, does not relinquish

any normal duties by reason of his Masonic rank, unless he is intending to delegate to

his Assistant to give training and experience. He should also arrange beforehand with

the Worshipful Master who will be proposing and replying to the Toasts and that an up to

date Toast List is to hand.

If The PGM, the Deputy PGM or the Assistant PGM is present officially, the escorting

DC will perform all duties at the festive board until such times as the Official Visitor

retires.

If the Official Visitor is a Past member of the executive, a Provincial Warden or other

Representative of the PGM, the Lodge DC will liaise with the escorting DC, who will

attend on the Official Visitor at all times, but who may delegate the remaining duties to

the Lodge DC.

Gavels for the Master or Wardens are not required at the Festive Board. The !

practice as in Craft Lodges, of the Wardens reporting their respective columns as

‘fully charged’ is unnecessary. The DC should satisfy himself that the Brethren have

the means before wine taking commences.


The Festive Board

Everyone is here to enjoy themselves and as a DC, once you have it all under control,

you will too!

I hope you find this Guide useful and I welcome your comments and suggestions !

to improve it. My contact details can be found on the back page if you have anything to

add and I look forward to hearing from you.


Finishing Up - The Final Word

Handbook for theLodge Directorof Ceremonies

Handbook for the

Visit our Website to download a copy of this and other Masonic Guides and Forms:

www.sussexmarkmastermasons.org.uk

Author: W Bro Roger Richardson

Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies

With Special Thanks to: R W Bro. Brian Wareham

Provincial Grand Master

Revision History 1st Edition - July 2008

Contact Details: W.J.T. [Toby] Pratt

a: 8 Stonecroft Close, Hove, East Sussex BN3 8BP

t: 01273 735794

e: [email protected]

© 2010 Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons

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