The Scottish Rite Valley of Columbia Missouri

Definition of a Mason

A Mason is a man who is clean inside and outside, who neither looks up to the rich or down to the poor, who can give without complaining and who can prosper without bragging, and who is considerate of women, children, and old people.

He is a man who is too brave to lie, too noble to cheat, too sensible to loaf and who takes his share of the world's good and lets others take theirs.

Scottish Rite Degrees

Scottish Rite Degrees are continuation and expansion of the three Blue Lodge degrees, and in able the inductee to grasp with greater significance the real purpose and meaning of Masonry. They are an extension of the Masonic search for knowledge and truth and give one a better understanding and appreciation of his blue lodge. 

The breath and scope of Masonry, and down through the ages, is so extensive that few men have the time or opportunity to investigate, analyze and understand it symbolism. 

Herein lies largely the value of the Scottish Rite to the ordinary busy Mason. In the Scottish Rite that investigation and analysis of hidden meanings has been done for him and the substance and fought made clear. Men of great minds and talents have delved into these hidden mysteries of the past and the fruits of their researches are embodied and presented in the 29 beautiful and impressive degrees of the Scottish Rite. These degrees are exemplified dramatically, reproducing, in so far as scenery and costumes, lighting effects and music permit, the actual theme and historical habitat.

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KCCH

At its biennial session certain 32° Masons who have been 32° Masons for at least four years, and who have rendered signal service to the Rite, are chosen to receive the Rank and Decoration of Knight Commander Court of Honour at the ratio of one KCCH for every fifty 32° Masons created in the State during the preceding two years.  The decoration is conferred in a very impressive ceremony of Investiture in the local Bodies.  This is a Rank and Decoration and not a Degree.  The members who hold it are designated "32° KCCH." A member must be a KCCH for at least four years before he can be nominated for election to receive the 33°.

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Thirty-Third Degree

The Thirty-Third is a degree conferred by the Supreme Council upon members of the Rite in recognition of outstanding service to the Rite, or in public life, to the principles taught in the Degrees.

The 33° cannot be asked for and, if asked for, must be refused.  At its biennial session the Supreme Council elects members of the Rite who have been Knights Commander of the Court of Honour not less than four years to receive the Degree -- not more than one 33° for the first one hundred and one 33° for each additional two hundred 32° Masons created in the State during the preceding two years.  These 33° Masons are Inspectors General Honorary and members of the Supreme Council.  The active members of the Supreme Council are chosen from among them.

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Last modified: October 17, 2009