The Lodge Cochin, No.4359
( Cochin )

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Date of Warrant: November 2, 1921. Meets: On penultimate Saturday Of every month except in December when on Second Saturday. Election: December. Installation: January.

Rituals in Freemasonry

What is a ritual? The Concise Oxford Dictionary states that it is a prescribed order of performing a rite – in our case a Masonic rite contained in a book known as the ritual book. Freemasonry retains its identity by means of rituals. By and large, our rituals have remained more or less unchanged over the years. The only thing that may have changed – and that too marginally – is the presentation. It could be described as the age old ritual in a modern environment.

Different parts of the presentation consists of a narrative which could be legendary or abstract, a ritual which resembles a play, and symbolism. By watching or taking part in the ritual, the Freemason is encouraged to make himself a better man. In this presentation of the ritual in the form of a play, the candidate is not only one of the actors, but more importantly a spectator. And as a spectator , the ceremony of Initiation will remain etched firmly in his heart and mind.

In freemasonry, ritual working consists of a presentation of a prepared text, by a group of masons led by the Worshipful Master. It is this presentation that informs the candidate the teachings of the Craft. The presentation is repeated over and over again and this repetition makes the presentation a ritual.

In our society and in our lives, there are any number of rituals – at the time of birth, at the time of starting school, at the time of death, etc. We use rituals in freemasonry to impart masonic knowledge to our brethren. But it has to be said that our rituals and ceremonies, generally teach us to impose self discipline on ourselves. The teachings made available to us in our rituals, give a freemason a personality which he, probably, never realized existed within him.

Our rituals have been perfected over the years from inputs and contributions of many committed and dedicated Freemasons and from different periods in the history of Freemasonry.

To go through the same ritual again and again and to repeat the same words of the ritual over and over again may appear monotonous and repetitive to the modern man of today. But let us ask ourselves if that is correct. One of the leading Masonic writers of yesteryear had this to say about our rituals and ceremonies : " Familiar though I am with the ritual, it continues ever fresh and ever new. Always it seems to me, as I hear it again and again, that I get a new thought or a new inspiration and a new grip on the eternal truths of life ". I am in complete agreement with these remarks. On a few occasions during my Masonic career, I have experienced a certain excitement, a certain peace and satisfaction immediately after watching a good ceremony.

It is worth mentioning that to a dedicated Mason, properly conducted Masonic rituals and ceremonies can produce a wonderful feeling in his heart and mind. And the candidate witnessing this ceremony will be taken up to a higher level of thought. To achieve a good ceremony, a rehearsal before the actual ceremony becomes essential. This helps to produce a well co-ordinated ceremony, which results in all the participating officers blending with each other. Hopefully this should have the required effect on the candidate's mind.

Going a step further, it has to be said that a ceremony in the Lodge is not performed only for the benefit of the candidate, but for all others who are present at the ceremony. Although the obligations, charges and all other instructions contained in the text of the ritual are directed at the candidate, it also serves as a reminder for all the other Masons present, to the commitment each one of us has made some time earlier, to the tenets of Freemasonry.

Lastly it has to be emphasised that masonry is not just attending lodge meetings followed by attendance at the festive boards. Ideally, our lodge membership should consist of serious masons who consider management of the Lodge, Masonic work and mentoring of younger masons as a primary requirement; and equally serious masons who enjoy a festive board. A good mix of these two categories of masons would help to keep the lodge lively . The old saying : "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy " is relevant even today. With due respect to the sentiments of all masons, this last remark means no offence to any one. This last remark has been made with the specific intention of having a happy lodge and an equally happy District Grand Lodge.

Wor. Bro. Sohni George
Lodge Cochin, No. 4359 E C
The District Grand Secretary,
District Grand Lodge of Madras,
14, Ethiraj Salai, Chennai 600 008

Events for the Month of January 2014

Events for the Month of January 2014

Rededication of Koder Hall

Koder Hall, the meeting place for Lodge Cochin 4359 E.C., which was closed down for renovation was rededicated in a solemn ceremony held at 7 pm on 17.01.2014. While the Hall was under renovation, the brethren of the Lodge were having their meetings in Lodge Sarvothama G.L.I., with due sanction and approval from the District Grand Lodge.

In a ceremony befitting the occasion and well attended by brethren of the Lodge and their wives, Right Worshipful Brother T.A. Devagnanam, the Right Worshipful District Grand Master of District Grand Lodge, Madras, rededicated the renovated Hall in the presence of Right Worshipful Brother K.R.N.Menon, Past District Grand Master. Worshipful Brother Sukesh Menon, District Grand Director of Ceremonies also attended the ceremony. After the ceremony, the brethren and the ladies took part in the festive board held in Hotel Casino, Willington Island, Cochin which was attended by the Right worshipful District Grand Master, the Right worshipful Past District Grand Master and the Worshipful District Grand Director of Ceremonies also.

Installation of Worshipful Master for the year 2014

The installation of the Worshipful Master and his Officers for Lodge Cochin 4359 E.C. for the year 2014 was held in Koder Hall, Cochin in a ceremony held at 6.00 pm on 18.01.2014. Right Worshipful Brother K.R.N.Menon, Past District Grand Master attended the ceremony representing the Right Worshipful District Grand Master. It was also attended by Worshipful Brother Sukesh Menon, District Grand Director of Ceremonies. Worshipful Brother Mohan Kurian, Worshipful Master of Lodge Cochin 4359 E.C. installed Brother Rajendran Ambady as the Worshipful Master for the year 2014 and invested him with the Insignia and Regalia of the Worshipful Master. Worshipful Master Rajendran Ambady then installed Worshipful Brother Mohan Kurian as the Immediate Past Master and went on to install and invest the rest of his team of Officers.

The banquet after the meeting was held in hotel Casino, Willington Island.

The Right worshipful Past District Grand Master and Worshipful District Grand Director of Ceremonies also attended the banquet.

By command of the Worshipful Master

Brother R. Manomohanan
Lodge Information Officer,
Lodge Cochin E.C. 4359