At the installation of our current Most Excellent High Priest, Companion Maynard Fernando, Washington Chapter No. 2, Royal Arch Masons, was gifted with four beautiful silk banners representing the tribes of Dan, Reuben, Ephraim, and Judah. The banners were given to the Chapter by Right Excellent Companion Robertino Solon, District Deputy Grand High Priest for Capitular District 17, who served as the Installing Marshal for the ceremony.
As Companion Jeff Bennett wrote in his short talk, “Royal
Arch Banners Part 1” (which can be found on the Grand Chapter’s web site), “According
to our Very Excellent Eldon L. Brooks, a Past Grand High Priest, all Texas
Chapters chartered on or before the year 1900 use these four banners of the
tribes of Israel in conjunction with the four veils of the Tabernacle and/or
the stations of the Masters of the Veils.”
Since Washington Chapter was chartered by the Grand Chapter of Texas in
1850, we would thus be allowed to use these banners during our
ceremonies. Therefore, during our
meetings, the banners will be situated next to the stations of the Royal Arch
Captain and the three Masters of the Veils, and will be displayed behind the
Grand Council during conferrals of the Royal Arch Degree.
We wish to express our profound gratitude to R. E. Companion Solon for his beautiful and thoughtful gift to our Chapter.
