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Le Droit Humain # 37 International Special International Convention 2012 — EN

Ordre Maçonnique Mixte International Le Droit Humain Le Droit Humain #37

Special Issue on the International Convention held at Les Salons de l’Aveyron, Paris from 16 to 20 May 2012

Edition: Communication Commission February 2013 INDEX

Opening speech of the XIV International Convention 4 Most Illustrious Sister Danièle Juette Past Grand Master and Sovereign Grand Commander of the Order

Impressions on the International Convention 10 Sister Jóhanna Sigurjónsdóttir Icelandic federation

A harmonious Babel 14 Brother Luis Alberto Acebal Argentinian jurisdiction

Memories and experiences 18 Brother Pedro-José Vila Spanish federation

Report from Australia 22 Most Illustrious Sister Laura R. Ealey Australian federation

Closing speech of the XIV International Convention 24 Most Illustrious Sister Yvette Ramon Grand Master and Sovereign Grand Commander of the Order Opening speech of the XIV International Convention — V.·. Ill.·. s.·. Danièle Juette Past Grand Master and Sovereign Grand Commander of the Order My Sisters and Brothers in your various degrees and capacities,

It is a deeply emotional moment to see us all gathered here, arriving as we have from our various Orients for this, the 14th International Convention of our Order. It is an exceptional moment of coming together, enabling us to experience universal brotherhood first hand. This is what our founders wished for. In creating our Order, by way of the Declaration of Principles and the first three Articles of our International Con- stitution, they expressed the desire that our meetings and exchanges should take place marked not by religious, ethnic or national identity but simply by our common humanity. And for that reason, they wished for an Order that, first and foremost, is essentially initiatory in character, one that is actively working, here and now, at the heart of our shared human experience. The aim was and is to bring different people together that they might reflect and act more effectively, one with the other, for the mutual benefit of their own individual, spiritual development and for society in general. That is, to actively work to build a society of universal brotherhood. To accomplish this task, they chose a rite, the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. This was not a random choice, for the rite is a fusion of diverse traditions in which no single one is given pride of place. It opens up a broad field of knowledge, understanding and reflection capable of uniting human beings of various faiths, beliefs and philosophies around universal, humanist values. This is why the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite is the constitutional rite of our Order. It enables all Sisters and Brothers in the Orients throughout the world to work together in their lodges, be they atheistic, agnostic, deistic, theistic, of no religion or adher- ing to all religions. In this connection, I would like to remind you that ours is not a deistic Order. It is inadmissible, in breach of the International Constitution, for lodges within our Order to make a belief in God or in a Supreme Being a condition for admission. On the contrary, our International Constitution obliges us to respect human dignity by recognising every human being’s right to enjoy a freedom of conscience. It is on this principle that our Order was founded and its international dimension established. During the first International Convention in 1920, The V.·. Ill.·. Bro.·. Goaziou, M.·. P.·. G.·. C.·. of the American Federa- tion, said “...for the first time, delegates who not only came from far-away countries and spoke different languages but also held, one might say, opposing religious and political opinions came together to set out a Declaration of Principles and an International Consti- tution that would unite them in a common endeavour...” The Declaration and the International Constitution of 2007 have remained identical in spirit to those drawn up in 1920. That is why the Declaration of Principles and the first three Articles of our Consti- tution serve as a signpost for each and every member of the Order. They set out in plain language the task that lies before us: To ensure that the values enshrined in our motto of “Liberty-Equality-Fraternity” become a true reality both within Freemasonry and in the world outside of the lodge. The aim is that men and women throughout the world should enjoy social justice in equal measure as human beings organised into free and fraternal so-

LE DROIT HUMAIN / 5 cieties. To attain this goal, the Order adopts a ritual, symbolic method of working by means of which members build their own Temple to the perfection and glory of Mankind. To carry out this task, we have only to perfect our own ashlars, bearing in mind that, as Freemasons, we are at one and the same time both the ashlar itself and the path lead- ing to that ashlar’s being perfected. It is within the symbolic lodge that we are invited to journey forward with ourselves for company, for it is here that a truly liberating relation- ship develops. This is the crucible in which nigredo, “blackening or nothingness,” takes place. Masonic labour is not being privy to a few revelations of a mystical nature but, more fundamentally, pursuing a quest for one’s own humanity. The true Masonic secret is to be found in the heart of each Mason where it will slowly, endlessly evolve. It lies at the heart of life in the symbolic lodge, in the regular brotherly confrontation of one Mason with another. This is why we need to remain vigilant regarding the work carried out in our symbolic lodges, for it is on their vitality that the future of the Order depends. In this connection, I would like to mention a problem that arises all too often: the race by certain Sisters and Brothers to take the Higher Degrees as quickly as possible, with little regard for the initiatory aspect. Wearing a Higher Degree collar, especially parading it around, in particular, outside the lodge appropriate to the degree in question, does not automatically mean that the wearer is a grand initiate with power over Entered Apprentices, Fellow-Crafts or Mas- ter Masons. Given our initiatory continuum, such attitudes are destructive. Members of the Higher Degree lodges may and must be visible only by the example they set, not because of any regalia they may wear in an ostentatious fashion. The Higher Degrees are scales that reflect nothing but the amount of work devoted to perfecting oneself. No degree, as such, confers power; only duly-elected officers have the authority to carry out specific functions on behalf of the Order and of our federations and lodges, both near and far. The Supreme Council elected at the International General Assembly in 2007 endeav- oured to fulfil its mandate to the best of its ability and to live up to the oaths taken by all the Grand Inspectors General. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Supreme Council members who devoted themselves unsparingly to the various –and not always simple– tasks entrusted to them. Those who are leaving office at the same time, as I am, will have the pleasure of working once again in their own lodges and, especially, to pursue their unending initiatory work. During the past five years, the rate at which our Order has grown varied from one country to another. Several Federations, Jurisdictions and Pioneer Lodges have seen their memberships steadily grow, while others remained static or even regressed. From visits to different Orients and from studying the annual reports of the Federations,- Jurisdic tions and Pioneer Lodges, it seems that those which progressed are those who concern themselves with modern-day problems. Groups who have stagnated or gone backwards undoubtedly will need to ponder over this loss of momentum, because lack of growth con- stitutes a danger at both the material and spiritual levels. And though external factors may have a role to play, it would be a mistake to overlook any internal factors involved or fail to reflect on one’s working methods in according to the time in which we live.

LE DROIT HUMAIN / 7 Among the assignments carried out by the Grand Master and members of the Supreme Council, workshops are organised to reflect on these problems. These assignments enable fruitful exchanges, with the Orient playing host to Brothers and Sisters from neighbour- ing countries, through which an enriching, energising dialogue becomes possible. At the request of Sisters and Brothers, members of the Supreme Council are also available for lectures as well as meetings with journalists (written press, radio, television, etc.). The in- tercontinental colloquia organised with the support of the Supreme Council also prove to be memorable moments for the participants. The Supreme Council has been keen to work hand in hand with the Pioneer lodges: in lodge meetings or in discussions on administrative and initiatory topics. Pioneer lodges and Jurisdictions with ongoing projects have received financial assistance from the Su- preme Council. During some of our visits we have noticed how poorly the structures of the Order are understood, owing largely to a lack of knowledge of the International Constitution, not all members having a copy. It is, therefore, worth recalling that every member of the Order should receive the International Constitution along with the Regulations immediately following initiation. Exchanges among Sisters and Brothers from different Orients are vital. Although modern means of communication have made it far easier to exchange views from a distance, there are still not enough moving spirits acting as go-betweens amongst different areas, who all too often still know so little about each other. There are still too few fron- tier guides. Meeting and exchanging ideas with Sisters and Brothers from various backgrounds may not make it easier to accept each other’s differences, but they do help awaken in us new feelings, a new spirit of revolution, new aspirations for a more fraternal world. Because our outlook is limited by our own cultural backgrounds, we all benefit from seeing one another’s viewpoint, so long as upon ourselves we use the tools of doubt and critical awareness, a method lying at the root of all initiatory work. One of the major areas of responsibility has been the International Committee’s work, whose task it was to amend our Constitution. It had been decided that this committee should consist of the Grand Master, the Grand Orator and a member from each Federation. Out of the 19 federations existing in 2007, twelve appointed a representative, three were excused and three failed to respond, despite reminders sent. As a result, six federations had no part in this important reflection on the Constitution of our Order. The purpose of this work was, in the wake of a whole series of previous, partial modifications, to rewrite the text in such a way as to lend greater coherence. It was also necessary to take into account the expansion of our Order in a world in which societies aspire to increasingly decentralise responsibility and in which information and communication, through the advent of new technologies, have been completely transformed; and, as we are well aware, for better and for worse. One select committee regularly considered proposals coming from federations working in this area. These exchanges led to the document which tomorrow’s future Delegates to the International Constitution Committee will focus.

8 / LE DROIT HUMAIN This group’s work has been crucial. The effort and investment in time, including week- ends, made by five Sisters and Brothers has been 100%. Our thanks go to SS.·. and Bros.·. Valérie, Brigitte, Fabienne, Manuel and Alain. We hope that the work of tomorrow’s committee will be rewarding and marked by a spirit of mutual receptivity, brotherly affection and the principles laid down by our founders. For some time, the last edition of the Tuileur of the Order has been out of print. In that edition, not all the degrees of the rite were described. Therefore, we wish to characterise each of the 33 degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in the new edition. The Grand Secretary and the Grand Treasurer will expand on the activities of the 2007-2012 Supreme Council in their respective reports. Personally, I have arrived at the end of the mandate you gave me. During these last five years, I have learned a huge amount with all of you, my Sisters and Brothers, and I know I still have a good deal yet to learn. The moment has come to once more take my place in the columns, to carry on the task of shaping my ashlar, having been enriched by all the exchanges I have enjoyed in our various Orients. I wish you all an enjoyable Convention. Let us remember that the prime movers in the Masonic workplace are an unrelenting search for Truth and Love. I have spoken.

D. J.

LE DROIT HUMAIN / 9 Impressions on the International Convention — JÓhanna Sigurjónsdóttir Icelandic federation In September 2009, I became a member at the International Order of Freemasonry for men and women, Le Droit Humain. At my first meeting I did hear about the Supreme Council, the Grand Master of the Order, the Grand Commander and also the History of course, about the founders, Marie Deraismes and Georges Martin. When I heard about the International Convention in Paris, I knew there was an opportunity to meet brothers and sisters from all over the world and also to learn much more about the Order. Besides, I found it very interesting attend a ritual meeting in Paris to see, if there were any differences between the meetings in Iceland and in France. It was really exciting to take a part in the Convention. A few months before the International Convention took place, V.·. Ill.·. S.·. Kristín Jóns dóttir, invited me to be a delegate for the Icelandic Federation. I was surprised and deeply thankful for the trust she showed me and this great opportunity to know better the structure of the Order. I realised that this was also an opportunity to have some influence on the new draft of the International Constitution, having the right to speak and vote at the Inter- national Convention. Thinking of this responsibility, being a delegate, made me feel humble and grateful. Even though the Icelandic Federation is small, compared to some other Feder- ations, the small Federations can have influence concerning the International Constitution, and this is exactly in the spirit of the Order; the values of liberty, equality and fraternity. Before the Icelandic delegates went to Paris, we red the new draft of the International Constitution and all the proposals, coming from many different Federations. This reading was very interesting and instructive. Many of the proposals made me think and try to find out the reasons why this particular Federation wanted the constitution to be changed in that way. Trying to understand what lay behind the proposals, it was necessary to remember that every proposal did have a meaning for the Federation that proposed it. All this reading, led to more and deeper understanding for the International Constitution and perhaps a little more understanding of the history of each Federation and their countries. I could hardly wait to meet all these brothers and sisters, sharing the same interests. Paris is one of my favorite cities in Europe. With all these amazing buildings and a great history at every corner. But this time I was not visiting Paris, the way I have done before. The purpose was primarily, taking a part in the International Convention, being one of the delegates, and I knew I was willing to give that work every minute of my visit to Paris. The first day of the Convention, there was the Opening of the International Conven- tion by the Grand Master and the Officers of the Supreme Council, in the Master Mason -De gree. It was a very great experience to meet those brothers and sisters in person. From the first moment I became a member at the Order, I had heard many of these names, especially the name of the Grand Master at that time, Daniéle Juette. Being there and meeting her for the first time was a special moment for me and also to meet all the brothers and sisters who are members of the Supreme Council. Then I did think about how important it is, that the small Federations also have a representative in the Supreme Council. I think this is very important because it shows very well that the Order really works in the spirit of its values. The sessions for the delegates were very interesting and I felt it was a privilege to be one of the delegates. The sessions were instructive and really enjoyable to have the chance to participate in these sessions and a great opportunity to get to know better my brothers

LE DROIT HUMAIN / 11 Past Grand Master, Danielle Juette, gives the attributes of her office to presentG rand Master, Yvette Ramon. and sisters, coming from different Federations. It was also admirable how the brothers and sisters were able to speak liberally and open minded, while explaining each proposal. That made me understand much better the reasons for each proposals from the Federations and their situations. After the sessions I felt I had more knowledge and understanding for my brothers and sisters view on the International Constitution. As it is said in the General declaration, the Constitution establishes the duties and the rights of each and all. On Sunday, there was the Closing Meeting. I have to say, from my point of view, I was a little surprised to see the difference in the clothing, because at our meetings in Iceland everyone is wearing black and white clothes. We think that is important because that is one way to declare and present that each and everyone is equal. It is also my personal opinion that it is also our way to show our respect for the ritual and the temple. But it is important to remember, that of course it is not the clothings that matters the most, primarily it is of course our purpose being members of the Order and to fulfil our duties as Freemasons. Being members of the Order, brothers and sisters are united in the love of humanity, even though we come from different countries and different culture, it does not matter at all. As members we build our temples to the progress and perfection of humanity, seek to give concrete expression to the values of liberty, equality and fraternity. I really enjoyed the Fraternal Banquet, held on Sunday, the last day of the Convention. Musée des Arts Forains is an amazing place and arriving there was just like walking into

12 / LE DROIT HUMAIN an adventure. To be in this place for the banquet was a very good ending of memorable and enjoyable days at the Convention. It was also a appreciated to get this opportunity to have a conversations with the brothers and sisters, discussing the Convention and hearing their experience of these days in Paris. These days at the Convention was very valuable experience, giving me a lot of knowledge but also I had a lot of new questions because I realised how little I know about the different Federations and their histories. I hope I will get the opportunity to enjoy the coming Conventions in the future. Many brothers and sisters have to travel a long distance to participate in the Convention. For all my brothers and sisters everywhere, I can surely recommend they enjoy this event, if they have any chance to do so. Dear brothers and sisters everywhere, if you get the opportunity to be a delegate it is my opinion it will be a great and valuable experience for you. For me, it made me understand much better the structure of the Order and so many things I did not know before I took a part in the Convention. On the other hand, however, I have also many questions about many things I had never thought about, before going to the Convention. When we close our Lodge, we form the chain of union. It stands for strength and solidarity. Not only between the brothers and sisters who are taking part in that particular meeting, but also between us and the founders and everyone that has walked the steps before us. All of us are a link in the chain of union and every link is special. At the same time we have so many things in common. All of us have experienced the initiation and that experience we have in common but at the same time it is a personal experience for each and everyone. Let us all unite in the chain of union and be enlightening members. I am looking forward to meet you all at the next Convention. Kind regards to all of you,

J. S.

LE DROIT HUMAIN / 13 A harmonious Babel — Luis Alberto Acebal Argentinian jurisdiction When I arrived in Paris to participate in the International Colloquium of LDH, diverse sensations were intermingled and present. I had no doubts about how I would be received by the Brothers, because during my membership in the Order I had received plenty of displays of affection from them. My doubts were different, and of another type. Would I remember how to prove myself to the Tyler? Would I be able to give the universal word without my nerves betraying me? Would I find the time to visit Jules Breton? With all of these questions reeling within me, the day of the beginning of the Conven- tion arrived. Waving my passport with the annual payments strategically in sight, I was intercepted by a brother, who at this moment appeared enormous to me, asking me, compellingly and tersely, to tell him in his ear the necessary password. Upon hearing my reply, his face lit up with a mischievous smile, and placing his body by my side to clear the way, with a friendly gesture urged me to continue my path. With the sensation of having crossed unscathed through the Pillars of Hercules, I recognized a number of Latin American Brothers and Sisters with whom I had shared some ceremonies at the Latin American Colloquium in Colombia. Uruguayans, Bolivians, Paraguayans, Ecuadorians, Chileans, and Peruvians who together with us, the delegation of Argentina, joked and laughed, happy to be together again sharing the task. I could not stop thinking about the generosity of the Order and of the country that sheltered us, always supportive and fraternal with the eternal diaspora of those who had to leave their homeland in the search for liberty. But this was a moment full of positive emotions. As I stood and recognized voices and languages that until this time did not seem familiar, the opening of the workings of the Convention was beginning. And then, upon beginning the Sacred Time, the harmonious and precise ritual, while ordering the physical movements of the Brothers and Sisters, enveloped us all in a deep sense of belonging to a Masonic Order, as ancient as current and as innovative as traditional. The Very Respectable Grand Master, opening the labors in Spanish and the Senior Warden responding in the same language, indicated that the belief in the potential of the continent of which I form a part was very great, and that Le Droit Humain could grow and expand with its ideology of brotherhood and justice, here, exactly where we (in Latin America) at times have lacked them for long periods. Then came the committee work and the passionate, extensive, controversial, and always respectful discussions. There was the realization that democracy was a daily practice with which the natural differences could be settled between men and not as a form of political manipulation. They were three days that seemed to me to be eternal, that tired me, and that I never wanted to end. With the election of our new Grand Master the formality of our work was closed. Be- yond the number of addresses, phone numbers and e-mails that each of us took as evidence

LE DROIT HUMAIN / 15 of new relationships, putting aside future scheduled meetings in the various ceremonies of the Jurisdictions and Federations to which we belong, there is an indisputable aspect. The supportive, fraternal, and active worldwide chain extends Le Droit Humain, and we, as members of it, are called to implement it, increase it and make it increasingly known and respected by all who wish to embrace just causes in a symbolic and initiatory framework. After the end of the tasks, I said goodbye with a hug with the Brothers who served as outer guards of the Convention, taking care that no one outside the order could participate in it. It had been several days since I had ceased to be fearful.

L. A. A.

16 / LE DROIT HUMAIN Entrance of the dignitaries.

LE DROIT HUMAIN / 17 Memories and experiences — PEDRO- JOSÉ VILA Spanish federation On 15 May last year I grabbed my gear and undertook my trip to Paris, which was the eve of the opening of our International Convention. A quote, I thought at the time, was that one should try to go at least once, and after the past few days there, that has been reaf- firmed in my mind. The International Convention should be a must for any member of the Order at least once in life. Around twenty Sisters and Brothers who included Apprentices, Fellowcraft and Mas- ter Masons formed the delegation of the Spanish Federation. This circumstance resulted in a stay in Paris that for each one had been organized a little each to his or her own way. An agenda there was, and bulky, with more than the cultural possibilities that Paris offers. For my part, I was interested in attending a Lodge meeting of the 12º which was celebrated on Jules Breton and which should have served to assess how the French Brothers and Sisters worked this degree with the end of improving as much as possible our work in these degrees. The response was fraternal to the extreme because of the interventions of the Brothers and Sisters, which became an unhurried discourse that allowed me to follow them despite my rusty French. That same day, somewhat later, I had the opportunity to attend a Lodge meeting joint- ly with several Federations and which was celebrated in the first degree. I think it was a success despite being overly long, but it was matched with the opportunity to experience the form in which the African Sisters and Brothers work. Being the same ritual I must say that I discovered nuances of each Federation. So, internationalism at its best. Every day, leaving some room for tourism, I approached the halls of l’Aveyron, home of the International Convention. In that place fraternity and internationalism were felt and breathed in equal portion. The latter right now is an important, perhaps the most important hallmark of our Order. Mixed in a splendid and wonderful chaos Sisters and Brothers from all over the world, yes from everywhere. The extension of our Order is not a question of marketing; it answers to a reality that can only be felt and sensed at a meeting with these characteristics. There was also time to attend the reading, and unanimous approval, of the synthesis of the international work, the true touchstones which could be imagined as “continuing the work begun in the Temple:” the reason for being of the Masonry which was born at the end of the 19th Century from the dream of two visionaries and by the providential hand of one of them, our V.·. Il.·. Bro.·. Georges Martin, who died after the V.·. Dear Sis.·. Marie Deraismes. If the international work is a thermometer of the social agreement of our Order, it is necessary to state that the temperature is high, very high and that to the contrary of its use in health, it indicates that the social body of Le Droit Humain functions properly, the result of concern for each day’s hottest issues and focus on the progressive loss of rights achieved, in some cases, after decades of social struggle. For me it is an important document of personal work that allows me to move comfortably in areas where it is necessary to explain the rationale of Masonry in these times and beyond the ritualistic and spiritual question. Well, you know what Conventions are, that least appreciated part of Masonic tasks but at the same time essential. There are inevitable questions in any organization even in one whose main raison d’être is initiatic, but it is necessary to dedicate time to them.

LE DROIT HUMAIN / 19 While attending a string of explanations for the state of the finances of the Order, which were satisfactory, some fortunate Brothers and Sisters worked on what was the most important item elucidated in this international convention, the updating of our In- ternational Constitution. It had been worked on for some years; I myself had proposed modifications to my Federation. I knew though, that had it not been for me and for many other Brothers and Sisters, none would be part of the new creature that was brewing, all of which were important issues. On those days I realized that in the diversity which moves within our Order, no one can be forced to go against his or her philosophy if it is within constitutional limits. The fact remains that I continue to think –on top of personal philosophies– that we should search for the least common denominator on which we all agree, which has remained unchanged since the founding of our Order. I think we should work on this issue in a less passionate manner and return to those origins that were modified not so long ago. In the new Constitution aggiornamento (updating) was expected, which places us in the 21st Century, increasing democracy in the Order and having a tool capable of making us comfortable navigating a way in the stormy waters of this century, which began with a significant reduction of rights. I think that we have it, and I hope that we make the best use of it. In ending I have to say that the election of the V.·. Ill.·. Sis.·. Yvette Ramon as new M .·. P .·. S .·. G .·. C .·., G .·. M .·. of the Order is in my personal opinion a wise choice. I am moved by emotions, and I had the opportunity of experiencing some that speak to me of her Ma- sonic stature. It will be, I hope and pray, a great continuation of the work carried out by the V.·. Ill.·. Sis.·. Daniele Juette, which itself followed, in her own way obviously, in the wake marked by the V.·. Ill.·. Bro.·. Nordur Njarðvík. Enough things remain in the inkwell, but not in memory. Summarizing four intense days in two pages is difficult. Some things are left to enjoy on the inside, others for talks at banquets, and some others just becoming external by means of reflections that we believe are our own, but which are nothing other than the result of some common experiences. I have spoken.

P-J. V.

20 / LE DROIT HUMAIN Exit of the XIV International Convent: Deputy Grand Master, Klaus Frosen; the Sovereign Grand Commander and Grand Master, Yvette Ramon; the Past Grand Master, Danièle Juette, and former Grand Master, Nordur Njarðvík.

LE DROIT HUMAIN / 21 Report from Australia — V.·. Ill.·. s.·. Laura R. Ealey Australian federation Eleven of our members arrived in the wonderful city of Paris and of course fell in love with the beauty of it all. We were further enthralled with the warmth of welcome we received from the hundreds of other “Le Droit Humain” members. The Convention Centre and nearby accommodation provided were also very good and greatly enjoyed. The ceremonies were very impressive and moved all of us. Your use of music is excel- lent and harmonised so well with the subtleties of each ceremony. In the Initiation ceremony which was so finely arranged to cater for twelve candidates, we were surprised by the way the symbolical journeys were done. In our country we would not be permitted to handle them so roughly or use the hazardous board they were required to stumble over due to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations here. Nevertheless, it is certain the candidates will never forget their Initiation and the les- sons within. As for the 33rd Ceremony we three were almost overcome by the solemni- ty of the occasion. Once again, the music was electrifying at certain times and always so appropriate. We were somewhat surprised by the work ethic of the Order. No mid-morning and afternoon tea breaks! However, we adapted quickly. The delegates missed out on the sight- seeing but were very impressed by the organisation and great amount of work done prior to the event and during our participation of the great event. The tours we were given of some of your other temples was another great experience. It increased our sense of belonging, our admiration of all the dedicated members now and over the last century or more. This has further energised us in our future working here. We are also proud to say that we now have a Triangle of the George Matin working in Sydney. Next year we hope to have a Lodge. All members will be make very welcome. We send our hearty thanks and very best wishes to all who were involved.

L. R. E.

LE DROIT HUMAIN / 23 Closing speech of the XIV International Convention — V.·. Ill.·. s.·. Yvette Ramon Grand Master and Sovereign Grand Commander of the Order The V.·. Ills.·. SS.·. GG.·. CC.·., Grand Masters of Honour of the Order, The V.·. Ill.·. Sis.·. and Bro.·. Danièle Juette, Njördur Njardvik, V.·. Ill.·. SS.·. and Bro.·., Dignitaries in the East, Brothers and Sisters in your various degrees and capacities,

“Words fail me”, said Victor Hugo, whose visionary light illuminates this speech more than once… And yet I will have to find them to express and control these very strong emotions, first of all, to thank you all, Brothers and Sisters. Thanks to you, this 14th Interna- tional Convention has been a crossroads of cultures and ideas at the very heart of the five continents. I also wish to thank the representatives of the friendly Obediences who have given us the honour and the pleasure of sharing this intense moment of the closing session of an International Convention. And also to very warmly thank all those whose hard work and devotion has enabled the success, be it for the practical as well as the intellectual comfort of all, of this extraordinary meeting. A big thank you to Majo, Florence, Marie-Chantal, Claudette, Hélène, Michèle, Claude and all those whom I have not mentioned. And finally thank you to our new honor- ary Grand Master and the Brothers and Sisters who have completed their offices, who have given us the best of themselves in service to our Le Droit Humain. The V.·. Ill.·. Sis.·. Danièle Juette, ably supported by the former Deputy Grand Master, the V.·. Ill.·.Bro.·. Antonio Ceruelo, has pursued the task of expanding something started by her predecessor and bringing Brothers and Sisters still closer. She has thus ensured that the limits of the Masonic world are no longer light years away and has also carried higher, further and in a more dignified way the mixed Freemasonry started by Maria Deraismes and Georges Martin. Please allow me a grateful thought for The V.·. Ills.·. Bro.·. Marc Grosjean, who passed to the Grand Lodge Eternal on January 1. Some 38 years ago, in a few days’ time, he was the Brother Speaker at my Lodge of Épinal when I received the Light. Today, I realise the responsibility that you entrusted to me last night, and I will do my verym best to be worthy of that trust. Rest assured, Brothers and Sisters, that our united Supreme Council will listen to and be close to each and every one. It’s now time to start working for our new Supreme Council, for all the Brothers and Sisters of the 22 Federations, the 8 Jurisdictions and the 25 Pioneer Lodges of the Order. After years of making adjustments to our Constitution, it was high time to rewrite it. Thanks to the hard work of the International Committee, the proposals of the various Fed- erations, and the selection of delegates, we have a new and solid tool to rely upon; that is, the laws of the Order. This new Constitution is set up in a manner which is clearer, easier to read, and easily searchable. As always, set as the preamble, the Declaration of Principles, whose spirit has not changed since the 1st International Convention of 1920, a Declaration which is present at all sessions and meetings and brings together the whole family of Le Droit Humain thanks to its easily understood wording, easily understandable but so full of meaning and prom-

LE DROIT HUMAIN / 25 Yvette Ramon, new Grand Master of the Order. ises. So wherever we are in the world, when it is mid-day in our Lodges, from Chicago to Antananarivo, from Helsinki to Johannesburg, Montreal to Belgrade, Prague to Tokyo, from Marseille to Melbourne, the principles of our Order are always under the eyes of a group of Brothers and Sisters, principles that are present, alive and kicking. These principles are, as etymology suggests, the beginning and the authority, the pri- ority and the superiority of all our deeds as Freemasons. Let us also remember that these are the principles of all people who wish to live in freedom. For us, Brothers and Sisters of Le Droit Humain, our first duty is to see them implemented wherever we are, and this is not an easy task. Maria Deraismes was aware of it when she said, just before she passed away: “I leave you an unfinished Temple…”. The world in the 21st century is not simpler, nor freer, nor fairer than the century in which our Order came into existence; rather it is far more complex, despite communication and travel having become easier. Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood, Justice, Laity: none of these reign over our Earth in an environment that is often hostile to us.

26 / LE DROIT HUMAIN If our tools are to be modern, we need to wonder then about our ability to get our ideas across efficiently, to develop them, our will to see the world as it is, and to better evaluate the results of our actions. “We can resist the invasion of armies, we cannot resist the invasion of ideas,” wrote Vic- tor Hugo when he was in exile. In 2007 didn’t our Grand Master say that we shouldn’t let ourselves be overtaken by time! Our modernity should adapt the traditional values of our times, to increase the well- being of all, to be curious enough to move forward beyond new horizons, to raise our minds philosophically. It should enable us to liberate ourselves from all dogma, be it religious or philosophical, to liberate ourselves from social confinement, to re-enchant the world. It is time to think, not about the exact aperture of the Compass but about the implica- tions of this aperture on our reflexions, about its use in our actions in the outside world. Articles 2 and 3 of our Constitution should indeed be the guidelines for our lives as Le Droit Humain Freemasons; we should use our symbolic method to work for our own self- improvement and the improvement of the world. Knowing the symbol, re-interpreting it according to one’s personal sensitivity and then reinvesting it straight away into one’s Lodge and everyday life, this should be our task, otherwise it withers away and will have no meaning for the future of Freemasonry. In our Lodges, using our tools as actual working tools, we should think about ways to act in the outside world and see how, through our actions and attitudes, we can (and I’m quoting our Constitution) “establish social justice, the happiness that each individual can attain.” Our principles are our road map, our GPS; our rituals are our vehicles; our meetings and our lives are our journeys. In this way we can joyfully discover all our diversities and find ways to unite them. We should use the ritual like a tool which adapts to the hand of each person, that speaks to each one because it can be understood and can adapt itself to the one who is searching, to the one who is journeying, to the one who is living. We should use all our tools to build a liveable and brotherly world based on our principles for ourselves and for following generations. We have a model to offer and to transmit. “This century is at the stand and I am a witness,” wrote Victor Hugo; but being a witness is no longer sufficient, we must be actors wherever we are. We all have to work together, first of all the Supreme Council, because if it is the gov- ernment of the Order, it is also the preserver of the Rite and the one responsible for our principles. It must also be the coordinator, the link, the brotherly, unifying force of all the components of the Order while scrupulously respecting the uniqueness of each one at all times. We will attempt to make our Le Droit Humain even more attractive to the young- er generations and further develop exchanges and solidarity between its components. It should be better known and recognised, better listened to, and the only way to succeed in that is through our unity. Our Order is unique in different ways. Our founders were visionaries when they invented a mixed, international structure enabling everyone to progress on an initiatory path. These three features are a triple asset that we ought to make known, to extend more and be able to transmit so as to build a strong, sustainable, and useful edifice.

LE DROIT HUMAIN / 27 Something that we have noticed in all Obediences is that a mixed structure has become a modern, very fashionable idea. It is something we have been experiencing for the last 119 years, during which time we have learned how to work together united as Brothers and Sisters. Even though we were born as men and women, we are all Freemasons in the Lodge. In the present world, having a mixed structure goes well beyond the simple mixture of men and women; it should also be a social and cultural mixture, something which is still not very widespread. As we can see, being an international structure enables us to implement our principles. Now is no longer the time to experiment, we must provide in each Lodge the right conditions for fruitful and constructive work. The Supreme Council will encourage, to the best of its ability, as it has for the last 15 years, exchanges and initiatives that will en- hance our Order, both physically and ethically. This was one of the Wishes we voted for yesterday. That’s why I invite the Grand Commanders, the Presidents of the Federation’s National Councils and all the Brothers and Sisters of the Lodges to do all they can to go beyond our limits, to exchange practices, ways of working and experiences; in other words, to build together. Le Droit Humain is a jigsaw with all the pieces linked and united to make a harmonious whole. Of course, differences are numerous, but fairness in the way we act will be, as Victor Hugo said, the first equality. And to quote him further, “I said equality, I didn’t say identical.” It is with this concern in mind for equality between us that we will preserve our differences as well as this magnificent mixed structure that can be observed at each of our International Conventions. Just like Albert Camus –but applied to our Masonic sphere– I would say that it is because I like my federation of origin that I am able to love our international features so much; it is an asset that each one should keep in mind wherever he or she is. I’m not talk- ing here of “Masonic tourism,” but rather of intensifying our international actions, of not closing ourselves up, of letting it be known that we exist and that the ideal we bear is an ideal of progress, of peace and of fraternity. We are different, but so what? There are structures of unequal numbers that view problems differently, but so what? There are oceans and thousands of kilometers between us, but so what? It is not the differences of cultures, of habits, of importance in numbers, of distances that frighten us. First of all, we need to determine what suits our Order in the 21st century and then choose. The pioneers of our Order have shown us the way and it is up to us to follow it by extending our presence, by developing our structures, by using our common language more, a sort of Esperanto that Georges Martin came up with for our Order: the A.·. A.·. S.·. R.·., which, needless to say, is referenced in all the Constitutions of Le Droit Hu- main as well as being the most widespread Masonic rite in the world. This is, quite simply, because it has managed to adapt itself to most sensitivities. Let’s ensure then that, through our rituals, we can take on board the diversity of all members, their cultures, their beliefs, and offer our Brothers and Sisters the possibility of discovering a tool of opening and crea- tion that enables each to find his or her own way, a path to perfection in total agreement with whom he or she is and in what he or she believes. Here I would like to remember, as

28 / LE DROIT HUMAIN did the V.·. Ills.·. S.·. Danièle Juette in front of the representatives of the Pioneer Lodges last Wednesday, that Freemasonry is not learned in books but amongst one’s Brothers and Sisters. I would also add for my part that, in the liberal and nondogmatic Freemasonry of Le Droit Humain, our rituals serve to affirm our beliefs. If it weren’t the case, it would lead to an exclusion of a large part of mankind. In one of our rituals at the end of the meeting, we express the wish to take outside what was started inside the Temple. This was, by the way, the theme of the 2007 international question and should bear the mark of brotherly love…of the joy of working together. Indeed, we should never forget to grow daily the flowers of fraternity in our lodges. These are the living proofs of the efficacy of our actions because, if there is no shared and experienced fraternity, nothing great will be done. These last four days have enabled us to get to know each other better, to appreciate one another and to understand that the process we have started in our federations, jurisdictions, and pioneer lodges aims at the same objective. When tomorrow all the candles are snuffed out, one thing will remain: the warmth that we have given one another and that we will take back to share these precious moments with those who couldn’t be here. Before uniting in a hearty chaîne d’union, I would like, for the coming five years, to make mine a thought from Emperor Marcus Aurelius who, two millennia ago, said something that is still quite true today:

“May I have sufficient strength to bear what cannot be changed, sufficient courage to change what can be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish one from the other.”

I have spoken.

Y. R.

LE DROIT HUMAIN / 29