Grand Master's LoR Message

GRAND MASTER’S MESSAGE

LODGE OF REMEMBRANCE, OCTOBER 31, 2020

Greetings!

The Lodge of Remembrance is one of the most solemn and important rituals of Masonry. On days like this, we not only call to mind the many beautiful memories of our dearly departed brothers, but we also renew our vows of charity, care and assistance to the widows and orphans they left behind. Let us not forget that we the living have the responsibility to see to it that the loved ones of our departed brethren do not suffer from want or lack of support. If they are in good order, let us continue to monitor their progress. Our mystic tie with our brothers is not cut with death but lives on as long as our lodges exist.

And with the prevalence of the corona virus, our mortality is foremost in everyone’s mind. We have our share of deaths due to COVID 19. So far, the beneficiaries of our Macasaet Fund are about 20 brethren who died due to this virus. Foremost of them were our brothers who served in the frontlines of the fight against this disease, namely Doctor Greg Macasaet of Keystone Lodge No. 100, after whom we named our fund, and also Doctor David Pagaduan of Filemon Aguilar Lodge No. 332. We thank them for their service as we extol their dedication to duty at the cost of their lives. Many others passed on during this pandemic but as their families or lodges did not apply them for inclusion in our fund, we assume that they died from other causes.

The most regretful thing is our inability to provide most of our departed brethren with the last of our masonic rites during their funeral and this is due to restrictions on gathering. Let us therefore take advantage of this Lodge of Remembrance which has been dedicated by our host, Jose Rizal Lodge No. 22, not only for their own departed members but also for those other masons who dropped their working tools this year. I thank you worshipful Brother Stephen Sia and members of Jose

I have to be frank with you brethren that the grand lodge has not foreseen the increasing trend of our attrition rate and this is overwhelming our sickness and death benefit funds. Last year, our charity fund has registered an p8 million deficit. I have yet to get the exact figure this year. Even without pandemic, death due to natural causes is increasing. That is because we are made up of an aging population. We have many brethren who are way past their senior years. And of course, they are prone to illness due to old age.

That is why early in my term, I have issued edict 325 which exempted masons who became permanently disabled by sickness from paying their dues. Some have criticized me for this. They say that the only way to exempt masons from paying their dues is upon reaching 25 years continuous service and nothing else. But we must address the very sad reality of a mason who got very sick to the point that he cannot work and cannot function a normal life without being assisted. If he cannot attend the lodge anymore and unable to pay his obligation, should the lodge suspend him? If he cannot personally pay his dues despite the fact that his family is well off, should we require now the wife and children to pay his dues? Definitely not. Now if the lodge itself decides to pay his dues to the grand lodge, how long can they sustain this considering that a number of their elder members may likely suffer the same fate.

We are duty bound to assist our sick and dying brethren. And one of the ways is to simply retire him because of his permanent disability, exempt him from dues and consider him an active mason till the end of his days. That is the least that we can do. That is a simple, long lasting, and symbolic form of masonic charity.

Outside of our own residence, our lodges are our second home. Outside of our family, it is the members of our lodges who know us too well and on a personal level. Every now and then we experience the very sad episode of seeing our brothers in Masonry passing on to the great beyond. They are those who sat with us in the lodge; those who shared many masonic experiences with us; those with whom not too long ago, we shared stories and bottles of beer too many to count; they are those who mentored and helped us in our journey, those with whom we maintained the closest of ties, sometimes more than our own siblings. They were the ones we lost, and they are the ones whose beautiful memories we now recall .

And while we are greatly saddened by their passing and pay tribute to their memory let us not forget that we too are mortal, and our own time shall also come. But the lesson of the third degree is also our refuge. It tells us to live life with meaning, with integrity and with fulfillment. It tells us that life is so uncertain that all earthly pursuits are in vain and when our time is up, the recollection of a virtuous and well spent life will yield the only comfort and consolation.

Our departed brethren, like Brother Greg Macasaet and Brother David Pagaduan - doctors who served in the fight against COVID19, shall always serve as examples of true masonic values. In life, they have steadfastly maintained their noblest aspirations even in the face of appalling adversity. They have proven that death does not triumph over goodness which will always live on and be cherished in our hearts. And so, we who survive our dearly departed must be continually reminded that there cannot be a more perfect tribute to our masonic ideals that in living a life with meaning, with service to man and in dedication to god.

Once again, let us offer our prayers for the great architect of the universe to bless and keep the souls of our departed brethren into his eternal lodge above.

Thank you and good evening.

AGAPITO S. SUAN JR. Grand Master Grand Lodge of the Philippines