Flower Talk
Posted by Adoniram on 23 Aug 2008 at 04:49 pm | Tagged as: DeMolay
The Order of DeMolay has many, beautiful public ceremonies that can be used in a variety of settings. One of
the most powerful and moving of these is the Flower Talk. Please follow the link to read this ceremony either before or after reading the blog post.
The Flower Talk is a ceremonial presentation given to new DeMolays shortly after their degrees, but it can be given at any time for any audience. It emphasizes filial love (our first cardinal virtue), especially the love of a mother for her son. It also stresses the importance of honoring and respecting womanhood. For the ceremony, both red and white flowers are placed on the altar. The red represents a mother who is still living. The white flowers represent mothers who have departed us. At the appropriate time in the ceremony, the DeMolay is asked to take one of the two flowers. He either gives a red flower to his mother or keeps the white one to always cherish her memory.
I learned the Flower Talk when I was 14 and was invited to give it during public officer installations, Masonic lodges, York Rite, and Scottish Rite bodies. Several churches asked me to give the Flower Talk for Mother’s Day and the ceremony was always well-received by both clergy and laity. There is never a dry eye in the room when the Flower Talk is presented.
The Flower Talk was my favorite DeMolay ceremony. I was twice the Pennsylvania state champion for ritual work on the Flower Talk and went on to regional competition. But, the greatest champion is one who actually listens to the words and takes to heart the message of this lovely ceremony.
My mother passed away in 2005. The next time I am present when a Flower Talk is given, I want to stand on the opposite side of the altar so that I can take a white flower. Let’s all remember the love our mother’s have given to us. If your mother is still living, please tell her how much you appreicate her. If she is gone, then please cherish and honor her memory.
If you received or have given the Flower Talk, please feel free to comment. If your organization would like to have a Flower Talk presentation, just post a comment as well and I will try put you in touch with someone in who can help arrange one.
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I, too, was a “Flower Talker”. I didn’t join DeMolay until I was 16 and so I learned the Talk at 17, and I too was invited to do it for Rainbow Installations, Eastern Star Installations, one Masonic Installation, and at other times and places.
I never competed, for I learned an older version from before it was standardized by the Monitor of Ceremonies.
My son, however, followed in my footsteps into DeMolay at 13 and retired as the three time undefeated State Champion of the F.T. and twice placed third in the Championship Division of the Old South Tournament. An Olympic Bronze in Flower Talk, as far as I am concerned. He won other Ritual Championsips too but the Flower Talk was always his pride and joy.
Although our Mothers leave us at some point in life, (unless something terrible happens so we leave them instead) but the lessons on honoring and respecting all women, in honor of and respect for your mother and her love for you, is a lesson all young men need to have made available for them. A service DeMolay provides to its members. One of many.
I was a Flower Talker too. I join in DeMolay when I was 15. And learn talk at 15. Do it in Masonic Installation, presentation of the Order in Masonic Lodge.
Greetings from Brazil
My mother moved into an assisted living center a few years ago. As I was going through things, helping to pack up things to keep and dispose of things she would not be needing, I picked up a bible. Out of it dropped an old, dried, red carnation. Honestly, it looked a little sad. For just a moment as I picked it up, I considered tossing it. Then, suddenly, I remembered “Someday you’ll find that flower, I know not where, perhaps in her Bible or prayer book or some other sacred place, a silent witness to what this night has meant to the one whose love for you, her son, is beyond the comprehension of any son.”
It took my breath away.
I put the flower back in the bible and put it with the items to be taken first to my mom’s new home.
20 years and more and DeMolay still has the power to move me.
David:
What a heart-warming story. Thank you for sharing this with us. My mother passed away in 2005. The next time I hear a Flower Talk, I want to take a white flower.
Val
How lovely to find this site, especially hearing about the Flower Talers. Brought back so many happy memories. You see, I was a Rainbow Girl years ago and enjoyed what was introduced to our Assembly as The Rose Degree, given by one of my DeMolay friends. Such a wonderful tribute to mothers everywhere.
Thank you for the sweet memories.
Betsy Scott Fitzmeyer
OOps, sorry for the type O. Meant to spell Talkers, instead of Talers.
Betsy:
Thanks for stopping by to leave a comment. I enjoyed the giving Flower Talks very much. It’s one of the best messages that the Masonic youth organizations have. Take care.
Val
my brothers….. just want to meet brothers from other country…. thanks…
Welcome, Lester. Where do you hail from?
I didn’t know that there is a site like this talking about flower talk.. Well for me, this ceremony is truly the most beautiful ceremony of the order of Demolay. It really touches my heart whenever I perform this ceremony in front of many people specially in front of our Moms. I remember, the first I did perform this ceremony in our public installation of officers, tears fell on to my eyes as I remember my Mom who’s supposedly there but unfortunately was not able to come. But I’m still looking forward that the next time I’m gonna do it, there is the presence my moM. I think that is one of the sweetest thing doing his ceremony.
Mark Joseph Mercado
from Virgilio E. Bunao M.C. Order of Demolay, Mabalacat, Pampanga, Philippines..
Greetings to all brethrens out there.
Mark:
I concur. It’s beautiful and is a wonderful public message at the same time. My mother is gone now and the next time I hear a Flower Talk, I am prepared for the first time in my life to take a white flower from the altar.
Val