The fourth Wednesday in March is a very special day for Lodge Semper Eadem No 3091.

We do normally hold our meetings on the fourth Wednesday of a month, but, on this occasion we have a new candidate for initiation. That is a special night for all those taking part and especially for the candidate becoming a Freemason, let us call him Iain.

This will be Iain’s first time attending Lodge Semper Eadem which he has applied to join. I am sure he will be a little apprehensive, not being aware of the ceremony of initiation he is about to go through. There is nothing to be worried about. His proposer into Freemasonry is his father in law, and he and all the Brethren present have been through exactly the same ceremony for many years.

We do have some knowledge of Iain as several members have met him before and he will have been reassured by his father in law that we are all good people and he will be in good hands.

There are many Masons involved in the Ceremony and the work of the Lodge this evening. We all enjoy taking part and we learn our part of the initiation ceremony, which is like a small play performed by the members for our new candidate.

This welcomes Iain into Freemasonry and tells him about his Masonic Journey that he is just beginning and what to expect.

It also tells Iain what we expect of him in his life as a Freemason and he will hear phrases like “Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth” mentioned.

The Tyler is the first person he meets and he prepares him for the next stage. The Inner Guard will greet him at the door of the Lodge and the Junior Deacon lead’s him into the Lodge and guides him around the Lodge room. The Worshipful Master will address him and the Junior and Senior Warden’s ask him questions to which he will be prompted to reply by the Junior Deacon, in whose care he remains during the ceremony.

All these brethren have spent time learning their words and movements in the weeks prior to our meeting and will have attended our rehearsal the week before to practice them. We think it is important for the candidate, that we deliver a coherent story that he can understand and enjoy.

Other members of the Lodge will also deliver their allegorical stories and lessons to Iain during the ceremony, the Chaplain will lead us in prayer and the Director of Ceremonies ensure it all goes to plan. It is a busy evening, but we all enjoy taking part and we hope Iain will as well.

A special piece of ritual is completed near the end of the ceremony by the Junior Warden and it is always a highlight of the evening for the candidate and the Lodge.

When Iain’s ceremony is completed we will continue with the normal business of the Lodge.

We will elect our Master for the next season and the Treasurer as well.

The Secretary will inform us about what is happening at Grand Lodge in London and Provincial matters in Leicestershire & Rutland. The Treasurer will tell us about our financial matters and if all the subs have been paid. We will pass resolutions and collect Alms. The Almoner will tell us about Brethren who are unwell or need our help. The Charity Steward will remind us about our charitable giving and how we are progressing towards our target.

Finally we receive greetings from our Visitors who are very important to us as Masons. We like to know where they are from and perhaps may visit them on a future occasion.

After the Ceremonial part of the evening has finished we retire to have dinner down stairs. This is a formal style of dinning with Masonic ritual. Here we can relax and enjoy each other’s company with good food and a glass of wine, if you so desire. We will talk about the ceremony and our Masonic duties as well as many other topics, but not religion or politics as everyone is able to have their own beliefs and to be at one in harmony with their brothers.

We will toast The Queen, and also our Masonic Leaders and we will have a raffle to raise funds for a local charity we are supporting this year.

The Worshipful Master, who has had a very busy evening, will give us his final News and notes about what is happening socially in the Lodge and about his Ladies evening planned for April the 6^th.

This is where we invite our Wives or partners, friends and colleagues to come to London Road for a dinner and entertainment. It will be a special evening enjoyed by all. That’s how I became a Mason by attending a Ladies evening with my wife and meeting the brethren of Lodge Semper Eadem.

Perhaps you would like to come along?

The evening ends with thanks for much happiness and friendship and our newly entered apprentice Freemason probably wondering why he had not joined our wonderful fraternity sooner.

A very special evening will be enjoyed by us all.

THR.