Why learn the ritual

Why learn the ritual.

This is not entirely my whole view on the subject but is meant to start discussions on the learning by rote of ritual.

Everyone has different perceptions on this subject has been discussed many times but is always an interesting subject.

It might almost be said to be a Landmark of the Order to learn the ritual, but why should that be the case? Who benefits if the ritual is learnt by rote and delivered by memory? Certainly not the candidate, for what the candidate expects is that the degree will be an experience and he will appreciate good and meaningful delivery. He certainly will not appreciate stumbling or endlessly prompted charges.

Learning by rote was a skill that was used in schools 20+ years ago. Today there are not many of us blessed with a photographic memory or the ability to deliver perfectly from memory.

In today’s society, with so many technological distractions that were not around back then and having less time for learning because of partners being out all day working and wanting to spend time together in the evenings.

Also some Past Masters if they are honest find it hard to get the word back into memory even if for years they have been demanding it from the junior members. How many Lodges have lost members because of the pressures put on them having struggling times trying to learn the ritual to memory?

Who actually speaks from memory these days? News readers, politicians and even clergy use books for their Marriage ceremonies and they do it every week. Why should Masonry be different!

We should be expected to learn the openings and closings of a Lodge and the work done on the floor from memory and anything that is delivered with self prompting (from books or paper) is delivered smoothly and with meaning. There can be no excuse from failing to properly familiarise yourself with the work in hand and just reading from the book without practising it, just does not come across convincingly.

We have to remember that we do not just deliver the degree ceremonies for the glorification of the officers but for the benefit of the candidate who it must leave a deep and lasting impression.

Don’t get me wrong, I actually love my Freemasonry and enjoy learning the ritual to memory as I personally see it as a challenge for me, I have actually turned down offices in some orders because I would not have the time to learn the ritual and feel I would not do the role justice if read from a book but that’s my preference but should we demand this of all members who have not the ability or time to learn to memory the ritual. Some good Masons are seen as unworthy because they can not complete long pieces of ritual that is demanded of them to hold that office. So as said before, learning the ritual by rote does not always make you a better Mason but by being unable to learn it rote neither makes you less of a man or a Mason.

Peter Dowling – 30/12/07