EDICT NO. 249-A

REVISED RITUAL FOR THE OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE MW GRAND LODGE OF F. & A.M. OF THE PHILIPPINES

WHEREAS, Edict No. 249 (Abergas) instituted a Ritual of the Opening and Closing of the Grand Lodge to be used during its Annual or Special Communications based on the Ritual of Opening and Closing of the Grand Lodge of California which is essentially based on the opening and closing of a Lodge in the first and third degrees;

WHEREAS, it is the practice of lodges in this grand jurisdiction to conduct its business in the third degree;

NOW THEREFORE, I, VOLTAIRE T. GAZMIN, Grand Master of Masons in the Jurisdiction of the Philippines, and by virtue of the authority and power in me vested by the Constitution of the MW Grand Lodge of the Philippines, do hereby promulgate and decree the adoption of a revised Ritual for the Opening and Closing of the MW Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. of the Philippines to be used at the discretion of the Grand Master during Annual or Special Communications, as per the following provisions:

A. OPENING: The Grand Lodge shall be opened on the 3rd Degree by the Deputy Grand Master acting as the Presiding Officer with the assistance of the Grand Wardens and Incumbent Grand Lodge Officers. All AnCom Delegates from Districts and Lodges shall be present during the Opening Ceremony.

1. The Grand Tyler raps 3x on the door.

2. The Junior Grand Deacon rises and give due guard and sign:

"RW DEPUTY GRAND MASTER, THERE IS AN ALARM AT THE DOOR"

3. The Deputy Grand Master orders Junior Grand Deacon:

"VW JUNIOR GRAND DEACON, ATTEND THE ALARM."

4. The Junior Grand Deacon gets rod and proceed to door. Stop in front of the Grand Pursuivant:

"VW GRAND PURSUIVANT, I AM UNDER THE ORDER OF THE DEPUTY GRAND MASTER TO ATTEND TO THE ALARM. YOU WILL THEREFORE ASCERTAIN THE CAUSE OF THE ALARM."

5. The Junior Grand Deacon positions self on the South Side of the Door and waits for the Senior Grand Deacon.

6. The Grand Pursuivant raps 3x on the door. Opens it and takes 1 step back and says:

"WHO COMES HERE?"

7. The Grand Tyler replies:

"MOST WORSHIPFU___________, GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN THE JURISDICTION OF THE PHILIPPINES, DESIRES ADMISSION."

8. The Grand Pursuivant about face. Faces East and says:

"MOST WORSHIPFU___________, GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN THE JURISDICTION OF THE PHILIPPINES, DESIRES ADMISSION."

9. The Deputy Grand Master directs the Grand Marshal:

"VW GRAND MARSHAL, YOU WILL RETIRE AND CONDUCT MOST WORSHIPFU_______, GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN THE JURISDICTION OF THE PHILIPPINES INSIDE THE LODGE."

10. Grand Marshal rises with baton. Proceeds to West of the Altar, gives due guard and sign; proceeds to door via South. Senior Grand Deacon rises; takes rod from stand and likewise proceeds to door; stops at door and aligns self with the Junior Grand Deacon at the door. Grand Deacons cross rods when Grand Marshal and Grand Master enter.

11. Deputy Grand Master rises, removes hat and raps 3x to stand the Grand Lodge.

12. The Grand Standard Bearer shall proceed along the South Outer Side of pavement to Altar. The Bearer of the Grand Master Seal and Grand Sword Bearer proceed, single file along the North Outer Side of pavement to Altar. Senior Grand Deacon, Grand Marshal, Grand Master, Junior Grand Deacon proceed to Altar in square with deacons' rods crossed. Deputy Grand Master shall order the Brethren to give the Grand Honors taking the cue from the East. Giving of Grand Honors must be properly timed with the arrival of the Grand Master at the Altar. Gives due guard and sign.

13. Deputy Grand Master welcomes the Grand Master and orders Grand Marshal to conduct the Grand Master to the East. Grand Deacons detach rods and takes 1 long step to side with Senior Grand Deacon to North while Junior Grand Deacon to South.

14. When Grand Marshal conducts Grand Master to East, the Bearer of the Grand Master Seal and Grand Sword Bearer proceed on the North side and the Grand Standard Bearer proceed on the South side moves forward going to East and stops upon reaching end of pavement in the East and faces West. Bearer of the Grand Master Seal proceeds in front of GM's podium and faces West.

15. Deputy Grand Master presents Gavel to the Grand Master:

"MOST WORSHIPFUL , RECEIVE THIS GAVEL SYMBOL OF AUTHORITY AND WITH IT CONTINUE TO GOVERN THE GRAND LODGE AND PRESIDE OVER THIS ANNUAL COMMUNICATION."

16. Grand Master receives Gavel. Grand Standard Bearer places GLP Standard in SE corner and Grand Master Seal Bearer places GM's seal on the GM's podium.

17. Grand Sword Bearer, Grand Standard Bearer and Grand Master Seal Bearer proceeds to their respective places. Grand Master sits lodge and continue with the ceremonies.

FROM THIS POINT ONWARDS, THE PROCEEDINGS SHALL BE IN PUBLIC FORM:

18. Order of reception a. Reception of Representatives from Appendant Bodies b. Reception of Foreign Dignitaries from other Jurisdictions c. Reception of Grand Representatives from Foreign Jurisdictions d. Reception of Past Grand Masters (by Seniority) e. Reception of Guest of Honor and Speaker

19. HERALDRY: (Flag Ceremony/Panunumpa sa Watawat/Pagpupugay sa Watawat (Filipino)/Singing of Grand Lodge Hymn)

20. Others based on the Programme

B. CLOSING OF THE GRAND LODGE: The Grand Lodge shall be closed in short form by the newly-installed Grand Master after the installation ceremonies on Saturday night.

This Edict shall be read in open Lodge at the Stated Meeting following its receipt and action n thereon duly recorded in the Minutes of said Stated Meetings.

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 this 10th day of March, 2017.

VOLTAIRE T. GAZMIN Grand Master

Attest:

DANILO D. ANGELES, PGM Grand Secretary