EDICT NO. 296
LODGE VISITATIONS OUTSIDE THE DISTRICT OR MASONIC JURISDICTION ONCE IN A MASONIC YEAR CONSIDERED AS STATED MEETING OF THE LODGE FOR THE MONTH
WHEREAS, every Lodge reflects a vast range of ages, conditions, traditions and culture among its members;
WHEREAS, the right of every Mason to visit and sit in every regular Lodge is an unquestionable Landmark of the Order and this is called the 'right of visitation.'
WHEREAS, one of the most obvious ways to involve new Masons immediately is in the area of Lodge Visitation as not much expertise or membership tenure is required and there is a fabulous opportunity for the Brother to gain valuable experience;
WHEREFORE, in order that a Lodge and its members become more acquainted with other brethren from other Masonic Districts or Jurisdictions and to familiarize with the conditions, traditions and culture of other lodges during stated meetings, a Lodge may hold a Lodge visitation outside the Masonic District or Masonic Jurisdiction and the same shall constitute as the Lodge Stated meeting for the same month.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ABRAHAM N. TOLENTINO, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby promulgate and decree that the following shall, henceforth, be strictly observed:
I. All Lodges may hold Lodge visitations outside the District or Masonic Jurisdiction once in a Masonic year and the same shall constitute as the Lodge Stated meeting for the month under the following guidelines:
a. The lodge to be visited should be outside the District of the Visiting Lodge or outside of our Masonic Jurisdiction;
b. The Worshipful Master and the Senior Warden or Junior Warden should be present during the Lodge visitation;
c. At least five (5) other members of the Visiting Lodge should likewise be present constituting seven (7) members present during the opening and closing of the Lodge Visited;
d. The date of Lodge visitation shall be communicated in writing by the Visiting Lodge to the Lodge Visited and if the Lodge visitation is within the Masonic Jurisdiction, the communication shall be read in open lodge during the stated meeting of both Lodges prior to the date of the Lodge visitation;
e. The members of the Visiting Lodge should be informed of the Lodge Visitation during the stated meeting prior to the date of the Lodge visitation;
f. The Lodge Visited thru its Tyler will ascertain to his satisfaction thru the Worshipful Master of the Visiting Lodge that the visiting members are all Master Masons in good standing;
g. The members of the Visiting Lodge shall sign in at the Tyler's book as visiting brethren;
h. The members of the Visiting Lodge have only the right of visitation in the lodge; even if obtains entry they cannot vote, propose motions or speak on a question without invitation from the Worshipful Master of the Lodge Visited;
i. The Worshipful Master of the Visiting Lodge shall be given due courtesy and invited to sit in the proper place in the East;
j. After the Order of Business of the Lodge Visited, the Worshipful Master of the Visiting Lodge shall be recognized to introduce his members and deliver a short message briefly describing his lodge for the benefit of the Lodge Visited to get to know more about the Visiting Lodge. Thereafter, the Worshipful Master of the Visiting Lodge may address the members thereof for some announcements of Lodge forthcoming activities;
k. The Lodge Secretary of the Lodge Visited shall issue a Lodge Visitation Certificate stating therein the date of the meeting, the name of the Visiting Lodge, names of the officers and members present;
l. The Lodge Visitation Certificate shall be read in open lodge during the stated meeting of the Visiting Lodge and recorded in the Minutes of the Stated meeting immediately after the Lodge Visitation;
m. Notwithstanding the required Lodge Visitation, the Worshipful Master of the Lodge Visited shall exercise its powers regarding admission of anyone into his Lodge;
n. If the Lodge Visitation is outside of our Masonic jurisdiction, the Visiting Lodge shall take responsibility of ascertaining the requirements of the Lodge to be visited in admitting visiting brethren and of securing a certificate of lodge visitation in accordance with paragraph k hereof which shall be read in open lodge in accordance with paragraph l hereto;
o. The Lodge Visitation in accordance with the above-enumerated guidelines shall be considered by the Grand Lodge as Visiting Lodge's exemption to the duty to the Grand Lodge to hold one stated meeting for the month;
p. The exemption under this Edict can only be availed of by the Visiting Lodge on the same month the Lodge Visitation was conducted;
q. Notwithstanding full compliance thereto, the Visiting Lodge may still hold its Stated Meeting for the Month.
All provisions of the Constitution, edicts, circulars and other issuances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
This Edict shall take effect immediately and shall be read in open lodge at the Stated meeting following its receipt and shall be recorded in the Minutes.
Given under my hand and the seal of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines in the City of Manila on this 23rd day of May 2017.
ABRAHAM N. TOLENTINO Grand Master
Attest:
DANILO D. ANGELES, PGM Grand Secretary