How do Freemasons measure time? What do all those abbreviations mean before those strange looking years that do not match our popular calendar? This post will introduce you to the Masonic measurement of time. When you are finished reading this, you will be able to decipher the hidden meaning in Masonic calendars.

Symbolic Lodge: First, let’s deal with the Symbolic Lodge (Blue Lodge) which covers the first three degrees of Freemasonry and is the foundation upon which everything else is built. On your lodge notice or Trestleboard you will see the current year listed as A.L. 6008. What does the A.L. stand for?

A.L. is a latin abbreviation for Anno Lucis, meaning “in the year of light.” This system of calendar time measures the current year from the creation of the world from the dating used by Archbishop Usher, minus four years. Just add 4000 to the current calendar year to arrive at the correct A.L. year (e.g. 2008+4000=A.L. 6008).¹

Royal Arch Masons: Royal Arch Masons begin their time measurement from the year Zerubbabel began building the Second Temple (530 BC), calling it Anno Inventionis (A.I.), meaning “in the year of the discovery.” Add 530 to the current calendar year to get the A.I. year (e.g. 2008+530=A.I. 2538).²

Royal and Select Masters: This calendar year is calculated from the completion of King Solomon’s Temple and is called Anno Depositionis (A.Dep.), meaning “in the year of the deposit.” Add 1000 years to the current calendar year to get the A. Dep. year (e.g. 2008+1000=A. Dep.3008).³

Knights Templar: The Masonic Knights Templar begin counting time from the creation of their Order in 1118 AD, calling it Anno Ordinis (A.O.) meaning, “in the year of the Order.” Subtract 1118 from the current calendar year to arrive at the A.O. year (e.g. 2008-1118=A.O. 890).⁴

Scottish Rite: The Scottish Rite calendar follows the Hebrew calendar and is known as Anno Mundi, meaning “in the year of the world.” The Hebrew calendar is a lunar calendar and has two annual starting points. The ecclesiastical year beings in the month Nisan (new moon following vernal equinox) while the civil year begins in the month Tishri (new moon after autumnal equinox). To find the Jewish year, just add 3760 to the common calendar in the month of September (e.g. 2008+3760=A.M. 5768). So, Setpember 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009 is A.M. 5768.^5 6

1. de Hoyos. Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor and Guide. The Supreme Council 33°, Southern Jurisdiction. 2007-2008, p. 895 [↩]
2. Ibid [↩]
3. Ibid [↩]
4. Ibid [↩]
5. ibid, p. 891 [↩]
6. http://www.kinglodge.org/masoniccalendar.htm [↩]

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The seven cardinal virtues are presented to a new candidate during the Initiatory Degree. The second degree

in our Order is the DeMolay Degree. The DeMolay Degree exemplifies the final trial of Jacques DeMolay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, before the Inquisition.

Historically, the DeMolay Degree seeks to conflate the events surrounding the arrest and official denouncement of the Order of the Temple and presents them in dramatic form. DeMolay and his three principle officers (i.e.Guy of Auvergne, Hughes de Peralde, and Godfrey de Goneville) are before the Inquisition to answer charges brought against them. For a good summary of these events, visit Jacquesdemolay.org.

The DeMolay Degree impresses upon candidates two supreme lessons: Fidelity and toleration.

DeMolay was faithful unto death to the trust reposed in him. He did not betray his brethren who escaped the clutches of the Inquisition, nor did he reveal the secrets of his Order. All DeMolays are to emulate his example and remain faithful to their promises.

Alongside fidelity is the lesson of toleration. We teach that the trials Jacques DeMolay had to withstand would not have been necessary had he encountered toleration instead of superstitious fanaticism, courtesy from his enemies instead of brutal persecution, and appreciation of his exemplary qualities instead of cruelty stemming from irresponsible power working through unrestrained passion.

After the DeMolay Degree is portrayed, the candidates make a solemn vow to be tolerant in their opinions and not to be hasty in their judgment of others. We are expected to give to others the same right to their beliefs that we expect from them and to give those we would judge the benefit of the doubt.

If tyranny is ever to disappear from the human condition, then the lessons of fidelity and toleration must be embraced by all mankind, particularly by those in power. The DeMolay Degree teaches these most valuable lessons and serves as a bulwark for freedom throughout the world.

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The last jewel that adorns the Crown of Youth is patriotism.

The Order of DeMolay honors and respects those who have served our country in the military, particularly those individuals who have paid the ultimate sacrifice of offering their lives in the defense of freedom. But, we are quick to acknowledge that there is a patriotism of peace as well as a heroism of war.

Many of our young men will not serve in the Armed Forces of the United States, nevertheless they are expected to be good citizens who actively participate in public discourse and who serve their communities well. The discussion of religion and politics is forbidden inside the chapter (as it is in all Masonic organizations), however patriotism and civic duty are openly encouraged. No DeMolay chapter can open without a word of prayer and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to remind us of our duties to God and to our nation.

Patriotism is so important to DeMolay that two of our seven mandatory Obligatory Days (days that we are called to especially remember a certain topic or person) deal with patriotic issues. They are Patriot’s Day (in February) and My Government Day (in July).

Practically, you can find DeMolay chapters all across the United States doing civic service projects in their local communities. For example, when I was Master Councilor I organized a project to place flags on veterans graves at a local cemetery for Memorial Day.

No DeMolay can expect to exchange the Crown of Youth for the Crown of Manhood without practicing the virtue of patriotism.

I hope that you found my reflections on the seven cardinal virtues to be informative. I also hope that if you are unfamiliar with the Order of DeMolay that you learned something about our organization and what it stands for. I will be writing more about some other aspects of DeMolay in the days to come, so please subscribe to the feed and visit the blog site regularly. Most importantly, thank YOU for taking the time to visit.

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Aristotle said, “Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”

The habits practiced when young men enter their teenage years follow us into manhood. We are engaged in self-delusion if we believe that a licentious young man can grow into a pinnacle of virtue. While there are always opportunities to reform and change, we should not let the exception replace the rule. It matters greatly that young men engage in habits that lead to cleanness in thought, word, and deed.

In the DeMolay ritual, candidates promise to lead a clean and moral life. The Sixth Preceptor further instructs them that this consists of avoiding habits that leave us “weakened in body, enfeebled in mind, and debased in heart and soul.”

I cannot stress enough how important this virtue is for our youth to understand and take to heart. Addictions in our society abound, whether to drugs, alcohol, sex, food, and smoking (to name a few). These addictions often present themselves in the teenage years when young men are vulnerable to peer pressure and susceptible to an image of manhood that is distorted by the dominant media culture. If one becomes addicted to these things, it will eventually lead to the consequences so eloquently stated in our ritual. As a physician, I do not need to look hard to see how a smoking addiction leads to serious health consequences. Drug and alcohol addictions destroy the mind as well as the body. Addiction to food has led to an epidemic of obesity leading not only to health problems, but a negative self-image.

DeMolay provides a training ground for habitual practices that counter the negative effects of unclean living. Chapters routinely have sporting events to develop the physical body. Our awards program gives young men a natural high for many activities that promote a disciplined life rather than a dissipative existence. Committing the ritual work to memory helps to recall the virtues and develops a sharp, focused mind. Structured engagement with adult men and involved parents provides role models that our youth so desperately need.

To quote Aristotle once more, “Good habits formed at youth make all the difference.” I cannot think of a better environment for the formation of good habits than DeMolay.

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The chapter that I belonged to was named Fidelity, after the fifth cardinal virtue of a DeMolay. Fidelity is the main virtue inculcated in the DeMolay Degree through the heroic example set before us in the life and trial of Jacques DeMolay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar.

Jacques DeMolay gave up his life rather than betray the trust that was reposed in him. While we may never be faced with the same circumstances as Jacques DeMolay, we are called to emulate his example by doing the same should we be called upon to defend our country on the field of battle or to save another human life.

However, fidelity is not only limited to extreme acts of heroism and bravery. A young man need not face martyrdom to show his faithfulness. In our daily lives, we are called upon to be reliable, trustworthy, and men of our word. All too often, promises are made with no intention of keeping them. For a DeMolay, a promise made is a promise fulfilled unless circumstances beyond his control are involved.

A DeMolay is taught that it is faithfulness in these small things that leads to faithfulness in the larger, more weighty matters of life (Luke 16:10).

May we all reflect upon this virtue of fidelity and strive to be faithful in all of our obligations, whether great or small.

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The fourth jewel in the Crown of Youth represents comradeship.

The essence of this virtue is faithful friendships and brotherhood. Life is a lonely journey without true friendship. DeMolays are taught to value friendship and to be loyal companions to friends and to fellow brothers in DeMolay.

This virtue, as well as the next (fidelity), are portrayed allegorically in the DeMolay Degree. Jacques DeMolay refused to betray his friends and brethren in the last days of the Knights Templar. For his defiance of the Inquision, DeMolay was burned at the stake on March 18, 1314. All active DeMolays are required to to hold a religious observance on the Sunday nearest this day to honor our hero and martyr.

Jacques DeMolay could have spared his life by affirming the false charges against the Templars and betraying the brethren who had escaped the Inquisition. Instead, he chose loyalty to his friends and comrades by denouncing the charges, keeping the secrets of his Order, and concealing the identity of those who were in hiding.

Jacques DeMolay’s loyalty to his comrades was unto death. May we emulate his example in how we deal with our friends and brothers.

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My first office as a DeMolay was as Third Preceptor, who is charged with instructing new initiates about DeMolay’s third cardinal virtue – courtesy.

Let’s face it, we live in a world where rude behavior is not only tolerated, but expected as the norm. We only need to get in our cars and drive to work to experience some of the worst behavior on our roadways. Phone calls to businesses and customer service centers are replete with disgruntled people on both ends of the conversation. If any courtesy exists, it is merely because it is in the best interest of the individual or organization rather than simply being the right thing to do.

DeMolay teaches that courtesy is not to be reserved for expedient purposes, but serves as a foundational social grace. This begins in the home where children are expected to show courtesy to their parents and siblings. It extends from there to the stranger, the aged, women, friends, and all with whom we come into contact. The cultivation of courtesy is to produce a refinement in the young man so that his courtesy is natural rather than artificial.

Growth in courteous behavior (and the other cardinal virtues) requires practice. In DeMolay, our young men learn proper decorum during chapter meetings. They learn Roberts Rules of Order, respectful speech when dissenting in a debate, and protocol on how to introduce oneself, guests, and visiting dignitaries. DeMolays also learn respect for each other and how to communicate effectively without resorting to name-calling or foul language, neither of which is tolerated in our meetings or activities.

May we all continue to practice this virtue, so that our courteous behavior comes from the heart rather than as a mental calculation.

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The second jewel in the Crown of Youth represents the virtue of reverence for sacred things. DeMolay teaches no particular religious creed, but supports the religious growth and development of all her members. Our young men are encouraged to develop strong religious convictions and to attend worship services regularly. Moreover, a DeMolay is expected to carry their own religious teachings into their daily lives.

To encourage religious development, DeMolay has a merit bar (similar to merit badges earned in Boy Scouts) that is awarded for not missing regular weekly religious services for one full year. Four subsequent awards are offered, meaning that to earn the highest distinction one must have perfect attendance for five years total. Not an easy task.

What begins as a quest for a merit bar often translates into regular attendance at church. Indeed, I have seen this happen many times to otherwise religiously indifferent young men.

Through its emphasis on personal religious development, DeMolay reinforces high moral standards. Young men eventually grow up to become adults, who then become husbands and fathers. The second jewel in the Crown of Youth reminds us of the necessary religious foundation for these future responsibilities.

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The first virtue that adorns the Crown of Youth is filial love. Filial love is simply the love one shows for his family, particularly his mother and father. Our Order instructs youth in the necessity of obeying the Fifth Commandment, "Honor thy father and thy mother." Indeed, these very words are used during the Initiatory Degree.

The sacrifices our parents have made for us should be remembered not only during our childhood and adolescent years, but also into adulthood. DeMolay teaches that we can never repay the debt owed to our parents. We should, however, strive to pay it in "thoughtful consideration, courtesy, affectionate and dutiful obedience."

Sadly, elderly people are forgotten and discarded by our society because the light of this virtue has been dimmed. DeMolay teaches that such neglect is selfish and disobedient and not worthy of a member of our Order.

May this jewel in the Crown of Youth grow brighter as the years go by.

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I think I’ll start this blog off with some thoughts regarding the teachings of The Order of DeMolay, a Masonic sponsored youth organization for young men between the ages of 12 and 21.

I will begin with the core teachings of the Order, namely the seven cardinal virtues. For those readers unfamiliar with DeMolay, those virtues are: Filial love, reverence for sacred things, courtesy, comradeship, fidelity, cleanness, and patriotism. The virtues are represented in DeMolay by the seven candles which surround our Altar and as the seven jewels in the Crown of Youth. Every DeMolay promises God to uphold these virtues. During the Initiatory Degree, candidates are instructed in the meaning of the virtues by the seven Preceptors. Subsequent posts will deal with each of the virtues in detail.

Considering the virtues as a group, there is no better foundation upon which a young man can build his character and future life than the practice of these virtues. It’s not a stretch to say that these seven virtues are what is missing from the lives of many of our youth. In order to teach young men the path to a moral and upright life, a context must exist where young and older men can interact and hold each other accountable to such standards of excellence. DeMolay achieves this through ritual work and activities of service that reinforce the lessons taught in our degrees. The seriousness of the matter is upheld by the solemn promises each DeMolay makes before the Altar.

I sincerely hope that an exposition of these virtues will spark public interest in the Order of DeMolay. I also hope that current and Senior DeMolays will renew their commitments to God and their families through our collective recollection of the seven cardinal virtues.

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