Royal Arch Regalia So take the 4th step PROVINCE The Aprons and worn by Companions in Every Lodge in our Province has a Royal Arch Representative and OF meetings are shown in this leaflet. Companions also he will be pleased to give you more information and put you in SOUTH WALES wear the Jewel of the , also shown. This Jewel is contact with a Chapter suitable to you. There will also be many The 4 steps in worn at all Royal Arch meetings and is also worn with Brethren eager to give advice about joining the Royal Arch and to Craft Regalia in Lodge meetings. This is another visible make the necessary introductions. Your Lodge Mentor will also be Information for New Master Masons sign of the indissoluble link between Royal Arch and able to offer advice. Step 1. INITIATED Craft Masonry. If you are unable to obtain an introduction to a Chapter by any of these means or just want more information, then please do not Apron and hesitate to contact the Provincial Membership Office for further advice and direction. Step 2. PASSED e-mail: [email protected] ENTERED APPRENTICE

Step 3. RAISED Royal Arch Representative Pin CRAFT

MASTER MASON Step 4. EXALTED Breast Jewels www.solomon.ugle.org.uk

The Provincial Grand Scribe E. COMPANION Provincial Grand Chapter of South Wales 5 Guildford Street, Ready to take your Cardiff, CF10 2HL 4th step?

Companion Excellent Companion Provincial Telephone: 02920 433 688 e-mail: [email protected] Your future, Your Next Step: The Royal Arch

Introduction Why you should join As a New Master Mason you may well feel that you have In England and Wales the Royal Arch is considered to be the completed the basic teaching of Freemasonry: but have you? culmination of “Pure Ancient Masonry”. Look in the Book of Constitution, a copy of which you were In the Craft the candidate is presented with a series of practical given at your Initiation. It contains the rules by which the Craft principles and tenets by which, if he practices them, he may hope to is governed, but there is a second section in it which contains live a life pleasing to his God and of service to his fellow man. the General Regulations Established for the Government of the But man is not simply a practical being, he has an essential Order of Royal Arch Masons of England. spiritual aspect to his nature. This aspect is introduced in the Third So is there something more and if so what is it and why is it Degree, in which the candidate is led to a contemplation of man’s separate yet connected? inevitable destiny, and this becomes the central message of the Royal Arch. Excellent Companion D. Gerald Rowbottom Excellent Companion Gareth Jones, OBE What is the Royal Arch? In that sense, “pure ancient Masonry” can be seen as a journey of Most Excellent Grand Superintendent Most Excellent Third Grand Principal self-knowledge and discovery with the Royal Arch completing the The Supreme Order of the , usually referred to practical lessons of the Craft.. as “Chapter”, is the completion of every Mason’s journey, which started at his Initiation. What are the Royal Arch In the degrees you received in the Craft you were taught that Put simply, you should join because… Ceremonies? Freemasonry is a system of morality, based on a belief in TGAOTU and promoting brotherly love, relief and truth as the rule for our 1. It completes your journey through Pure Ancient Freemasonry The Royal Arch has two ceremonies, the Exaltation ceremony to earthly pilgrimage. 2. It invites you to explore the spiritual nature of man bring in new members and the Annual Installation ceremony. The Ceremony of Raising implies that there is more to learn, for it 3. It has a beautiful Ceremony full of allegory and hidden meaning The Exaltation ceremony is in two parts, firstly a rather dramatic urges us to lift our eyes beyond our civil duties and routine existence. 4. It takes friendship and brotherhood to an even higher level. presentation of the principles of the order followed by a The Royal Arch develops this theme and teaches us that the true combination of three lectures in which the history, symbolism and secrets of a Freemason are to be found within ourselves. This is a Royal Arch in the Province of principles of the Royal Arch are further explained. After the darkness of the Third Degree it is a colourful, enlightening most rewarding and enlightening step for a Master Mason to take. South Wales It offers him an opportunity to fill the gaps left in Craft Masonry and memorable ceremony. The story told, which contains some of after the Third Degree and to continue his Masonic journey There are at present some 69 Chapters in the Province under the the most delightful lines of Masonic Ritual, concerns the re-building towards a spiritual conclusion. direction of the Grand Superintendent. There is also a Deputy of the Temple after the exile of the Israelites. Grand Superintendent as well as a Second and Third Provincial The indissoluble link between Craft and Royal Arch Freemasonry is Who is eligible to join the Grand Principal. further shown in South Wales, by our own Provincial , The Royal Arch is administered by the Provincial Grand Chapter Office RW Bro Gareth Jones OBE also being 3rd Grand Principal of Supreme Royal Arch? located in Cardiff and works under the direction of the Provincial Grand Chapter. All Master Masons are eligible to join and the only requirement Grand Scribe Ezra. A complete list of Royal Arch Provincial Grand is that a period of four weeks must have elapsed since they were Officers is to be found in the Annual Masonic Year Book, as well as raised to the Third Degree. details of all Chapters, including lists of Officers and contact details.