EDICT NO. 251-A

FURTHER AMENDING THE RITUAL RELATING TO CLOSING THE LODGE IN ANY DEGREE

WHEREAS, Edict No. 251 amended the Ritual of Closing of a Masonic Lodge in any Degree to reflect the return by officers of the Jewels to the East in the same manner that they received them during the opening of the Lodge.

WHEREAS, after numerous queries and suggestions by Brethren in this jurisdiction, including several Past Senior Grand Lecturers, about apparent discrepancies between such amendment and the spirit and letter of the Work, resulting in confusion concerning the application of Edict 251, it became necessary to review such amendment to ensure both uniformity in teaching as well as clarity in application when performing the Work of the Craft.

WHEREAS, the draft of the Ritual of Closing was referred to and reviewed by the Grand Lodge Committee on Rituals and Works, which recommended the same for approval and adoption, and was also favorably endorsed during the third plenary session on 18 January 2013 of the Joint Caucus on the Proposed Centennial Monitor, composed of representatives from the Grand Lodge Committee on Rituals and Works, the Institute of Masonic Education and Studies, and participating Past Senior Grand Lecturers.

NOW THEREFORE, I, SANTIAGO T. GABIONZA, JR., Centennial Grand Master of Masons in the Sovereign Masonic Jurisdiction of the Philippines, and by virtue of the authority and power in me vested by the Constitution of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the Philippines, do hereby promulgate and decree the following amended ritual on the closing ceremony of a Masonic Lodge in any degree of symbolic Masonry, as hereto attached.

The attached amended ritual replaces the amended ritual referred and attached to Edict 251.

This Edict is effective immediately from its date of promulgation and is to be read in open Lodge at the stated meeting next following its receipt and that action duly recorded in the Minutes of said Stated Meeting.