EDICT NO. 238

REGULATING THE CONDUCT OF INSTALLATION CEREMONIES OF OFFICERS OF BLUE LODGES

WHEREAS, our Masonic law, rules and regulations prohibit innovations in and deviations from the approved rituals, relative to installation of officers Subordinate Lodges.

WHEREAS, the Manual on Installation Service of Subordinate Lodges, which was approved by the Grand Lodge in 1978, provides that the Installing Officer should remain standing in the East throughout the entire ceremony and should never go down to the floor to deliver the charge to the Master and Wardens and that it is the duty of the Installing Officer to deliver or read the charge to all the officers being installed who should be invested with their jewels by either the Installing Officer or by the Master of Ceremonies, with the additional instruction that no installing Officer will permit any non-Mason to do the investiture of the jewels.

WHEREAS, the Masonic Ancient Charges carries the Admonition that it is not in the power of any man or body of men to make innovations in the body of Masonry.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAIME Y. GONZALES, Grand Master in this Grand Jurisdiction, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby decree that there shall be no innovation or deviation whatsoever by the Installing Officer from the approved ritual for Installation of Officers in Subordinate Lodges. To assure strict conformity with the approved ritual, the program of the Installation Ceremonies should be submitted by the Lodge Worshipful Master-elect for approval in writing by the District Deputy Grand Master, not later than fifteen (15) days before the event.

Any Installing Officer who shall make any significant innovation or in deviation from the approved ritual of installation, in the course of presiding over the Installation Ceremonies, shall be held liable to sanctions by the Grand Lodge.

This Edict shall be read in open Lodge at the stated meeting next following its receipt and action thereon taken in the minutes of said stated meeting.

Given under my hand and the Seal of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, this 15th day of April, 2008

JAIME Y. GONZALES Grand Master

ATTEST:

DANILO D. ANGELES, PGM Grand Secretary