Last night, at Brandon Lodge No. 114, I sat for my White Card proficiency before District School with our District Instructor. For me, this was a big step towards ultimately achieving my Blue Card. For most Master Masons, becoming proficient is a process of learning and understanding the Ritual through understanding, memorizing and conferring. This process takes time and effort and a dedication to one’s self as well as the fraternity.
I started my Masonic journey in Ohio back in 2005 and spent many years learning, studying and perfecting my ritual as I worked my way through the officer lines of Urania Lodge No. 311, Arts and Sciences Lodge No. 792, and Madison Lodge No. 221. I prided myself on being considered a ritualist within my Masonic District and always made myself available to help Lodges who needed some extra help conferring the Degrees of Freemasonry.
When I moved to Florida in 2014, I began to immerse myself in the ritual work of Florida Freemasonry. While the ritual is similar to Ohio, there were still many differences in structure and verbiage between the jurisdictions. This has been and continues to challenge me as I work to become proficient in Florida ritual.
Over the past 10 years in this jurisdiction, I have had the honor to serve in several officer stations and serve as Worshipful Master of Tampa Lodge No. 240 in 2020, all the while continuing to learn and become proficient in Florida ritual. I have had many great mentors and Brothers who have, and continue to help me achieve proficiency every day; and I thank them for their continued support and good humored jokes when my Ohio ritual occasionally slips in from time to time.
Being proficient is not to be mistaken for perfection; as there is no such thing as perfection in this life. Proficiency is a state in which one has the confidence and understanding to know, and understand what he is speaking and delivering it in a meaningful and impactful way. Proficiency is always seeking advice and feedback and knowing that there will always be areas for improvement and continued focus in everything we do.
No matter where you are on your Masonic journey, or even your journey through life; always seek out ways to continually improve yourself and in turn, those around you. This is what Freemasonry is about, and once you learn that, you have a whole works of knowledge and experience ahead of you!
Enjoy the journey!
It’s a great day to be a Mason!
For those who may not be aware, The Grand Lodge of Florida has a well defined process for developing certifying ritual proficiency.
The Florida Digest of Masonic Law, beginning at Chapter 37.16 outlines the several proficiency certificates that Master Masons can work achieve.
The Silver Card, is awarded for the proficiency in the Catechism of the Three Degrees in accordance with adopted Forms and Ceremonies.
The White Card, is awarded to a Master Mason when proficient in the ceremonies of opening and closing the Three Degrees of Freemasonry and in the esoteric work of the Entered Apprentice Degree.
The Green Card, is awarded to a Master Mason when proficient in the ceremonies of opening and closing the Three Degrees of Freemasonry and in the esoteric work of the Entered Apprentice
Degree and the Fellow Craft Degree.
The Blue Card, is awarded to a Master Mason when proficient in the ceremonies of opening and closing the Three Degrees of Freemasonry, and the esoteric work of the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason Degree including the questions and answers of the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason Catechisms.
The Gold Card, is awarded to a Master Mason when proficient in all Three Degrees and lectures of Freemasonry.
The achievement of each of these certifications requires dedication and study. It is not just the action of memorization, but to gain a deeper understanding of the words being spoken, and their intended meaning. Ask your District Instructor how you can start to develop a plan to achieve just one of these cards, and before you know it, you will achieve them all.
Good Luck!