On the evening of Monday, 17 May, the WM's visit to Lodge Capitol became an unscheduled fraternal when nine Commonwealth brethren arrived to witness the Raising of Bro Basant. Jag has been a regular visitor to Lodge Commonwealth and it was indeed a pleasure to support him in this significant and memorable step.

Jag was Raised in the presence of some 64 Capitol members and visitors who had travelled from various local Lodges to witness this significant step in Jag's Masonic journey. The ceremony was delivered by the Thistles - a group of Masons, drawn from different Lodges, who specialise in performing the Third Degree ritual according to the Scottish Constitution. WMs are at liberty to ask the Thistles to attend their Lodge to perform the Scottish ritual.

The ceremony was truly inspiring, thought provoking, and offered a glimpse into the Order's ancient past with overwhelming reminders of our traditional history, mortality, and one of our greatest gifts, humility, which is regetably becoming less evident in our material focused world.

Our entry was announced by W Bro. Robert Pearson, GStwd, and included W Bro. Roman Cholawinskyj, VW Bro. David Slater, W Bro. Warren Barsley, W Bro. Irwin Prowse, Bro. Russ Richards and Bro. John Morris. Two other members were also present but, being members of the Thistles, entered the Lodge as members of the Thistles fraternal, namely: RW Bro. John Le Mesurier and Bro. Alex Slater. David and Warren are also members of the Thistles, as suggested by their aprons pictured below, but elected to enter with their Lodge.

Fraternal to Capitol's Scottish Raising
(L-R) W Bro. Robert Pearson, VW Bro. David Slater, Bro. Russ Richards,
Bro. John Morris (front), W Bro. Irwin Prowse, W Bro. Warren Barsley and W Bro. Roman Cholawinskyj

In total the visitors to Lodge Capitol included three fraternals: Commonwealth; Ethos, led by their WM, W Bro. Phil Higgs; and the Thistles who entered behind W Bro Jamie King, WM Lodge Caledonia, playing the bagpipes with most wearing Scottish regalia and national dress. Also in attendance were W Bro. Alan Carnall, WM Lodge Gowrie, W Bro. Edwin Power, WM Lodge William Ross, and Jag's father who travelled from Singapore to be present for his son's ceremony. Also in attendance was VW Bro. Geoff Ludowyk, DGIW 104. The WM of Lodge Capitol, W Bro. Sam Gupta, is to be congratulated for hosting such a magnificent exposè of Freemasonry.

Bro. Basant is Congratulated by VW Bro. Geoff Ludowyk, DGIW 104

Jag has not only been a regular visitor to Lodge Commonwealth but he also attended, with his girlfriend, our recent social event at Lanyon Homestead and our Installation in December 2009. The WM made particular reference to Jag's regular attendance at Lodge Commonwealth stating that, "a team of wild horses could not have kept me away", during his response on behalf of the visitors at the Festive Board.

Author's note - one wonders what led to such a wide variation between the English and Scottish ritual particularly given the signficant lessons which are reinforced therein.

Author: W Bro. Roman Cholawinskyj