A Proclamation from the Most Illustrious Grand Master

A Proclamation from the Most Excellent Grand High Priest

St John's Day in Summer

Houston York Rite Masonry would like to wish all Brothers and Companions a safe and happy day.

Veils in Royal Arch Masonry

By CABELL F. COBBS

      The ceremony of “passing the veils” or the use of the veils in Royal Arch Ceremonies is as old as the Degree itself, and its origins are, with the degree, lost in the oral traditions of the past.  Some say it symbolizes the difficulties encountered by the Jews on their returning journey from Babylon with the holy vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar; others that it involves the veils of the tabernacle of Moses or those of the Temple of Solomon.  Other commentators note it as a reference to the rending of the veil of the last Temple upon the death of Jesus on the Cross.

     The use of veils originated, with the Royal Arch in English Freemasonry and was well known, with some distinctions, in Ireland and Scotland.  Originally, the work was with three veils, with the fourth being used in Ireland and, of course, here.  In Scotland, the ceremony in fact forms the Excellent Master Degree.

    Much of the confusion in the symbolism comes from the Jewish historian Josephus, who declares:

    When Moses distinguished the tabernacle into three parts, and allowed two of them to the priests, as a place accessible and common, he denoted the land and see, these being of general access to all; but he set apart the third division for God, because heaven is inaccessible to men….

    The veils, too, which are composed of four things, they are declared the four elements; for the fine linen was proper to signify the earth, because the flax grows out of the earth; the purple signified the sea, because the color is dyed by the blood of the sea shell fish; the blue is fit to signify the air; and the scarlet will naturally be an indication of fire.

Installation of Officers

The Installation of Officers of Washinton Chapter No. 2, Royal Arch Masons, and Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select Masters, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, June 29, 2020.  Members of the Chapter and the Council are encouraged to attend.  All Royal Arch Masons and Royal and Select Masters are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.

Called Meeting Notice

A Called Meeting of Washington Chapter No. 2, Royal Arch Masons, for the purpose of electing the officers for the 2020 - 2021 Capitular year, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard on Monday, June 8, 2020, immediately following the Stated Assembly of Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select Masters.  Members of the Chapter are encouraged to attend.  All Royal Arch Masons are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.

Stated Meeting Notice

The next Stated Assembly of Houston Council No. 1 , Royal and Select Masters, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, June 8, 2020.  The election of officers for the 2020 - 2021 Cryptic year will be held at this meeting.  Members of the Council are encouraged to attend.  All Royal and Select Masters are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.