DeMolay International

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

DeMolay International (originally known as the Order of DeMolay) is an international youth fraternity for young men between the ages of 12 to 21 (members who reach the age of 21 are referred to as 'Senior DeMolays'). The organization helps prepare young men to lead successful, productive and happy lives through the development of civic awareness, leadership skills and personal responsibility. It is modeled after Freemasonry, and like Freemasonry, members are initiated into DeMolay through ritual and an allegorical program. DeMolay is considered an appendant body to Freemasonry; every DeMolay chapter is sponsored by a Masonic Lodge or other Masonic body. DeMolay is considered part of the family of Masonic youth groups along with Job's Daughters, and the Rainbow Girls.

1 History
2 Structural Organization
3 The Cardinal Virtues
4 Famous DeMolays
5 Notes
6 External links

[edit] History

The Order of DeMolay was founded in 1919 in Kansas City, Missouri by Frank Sherman Land and nine young men. Since then the organization has spread to all 50 U.S. states and many other countries around the world including Canada, Philippines, Aruba, Australia, Brazil, Bolivia, Germany, Italy and Japan.

The organization is named after Jacques de Molay, a knight and crusader who was the 23rd and last Grand Master of the Knights Templar. Members are encouraged to model their conduct after his example of loyalty and fidelity.

The initiation program consists of two degrees, the Initiatory Degree and the DeMolay Degree. The initiatory degree is solemn, and shows how one will dedicate himself to the Seven Precepts inculcated by the Order. The Order of DeMolay teaches its members that there is no better foundation for the coming manhood years than the practice of these Virtues. The DeMolay degree portrays the tribulations experienced by Jacques DeMolay and inculcates his values of loyalty and love for his comrades. There are other ceremonies (public) including the Flower Talk which stresses mother love, and the Ceremony of Light which conveys a brief talk about the teachings of the Order of DeMolay.

[edit] Structural Organization

A local DeMolay organization is known as a Chapter and is headed by a Master Councilor. The Master Councilor is elected by members of his Chapter and is usually among the older members of the group. The Master Councilor is assisted in his duties by a Senior Councilor and a Junior Councilor. The Senior Councilor is usually considered to be next in line as Master Councilor. All the officers of a Chapter are appointed by the Master Councilor, except for the Councilors and Treasurer, who are elected, and the Scribe, who is appointed by the chapter's Advisory Council.

The Officers of a Chapter are:

Master Councilor
Senior Councilor
Junior Councilor
Senior Deacon
Junior Deacon
Senior Steward
Junior Steward
Orator
Scribe
Chaplain
Marshal
Sentinel
Standard Bearer
Almoner
Treasurer
Seven Preceptors, representing the seven Cardinal Virtues of a DeMolay

Senior DeMolays, Masons, or other adult mentors supervise the Chapter and are usually referred to by the moniker "Dad (name)" as in "Dad Land" for the founder. In recent years, women have also served as advisors for the group, and are referred to as "Mom". DeMolay Chapters may also periodically elect a member of a neighboring Job's Daughters Bethel, Rainbow Assembly, Triangle, or Constellation as a "Chapter Sweetheart." To be a sweetheart, a young woman does not necessarily need to be a member of any of these organizations, but it makes the job easier, as she must communicate with them. She must only meet the age requirements of a particular jurisdiction or chapter, usually set at fifteen to twenty-one.

The next level above the Chapter is the State level. A State Master Councilor or Jurisdictional Master Councilor is the head of a statewide DeMolay organization. There are also other state positions based off of the officers of a chapter, which vary for each jurisdiction. The lead advisor in a state is called an "Executive Officer" and the lead advisor nationally is known as a "Grand Master." The International Master Councilor and International Congress Secretary are the heads of the International DeMolay Congress and serve on the Board of Directors. These officers are usually past State Master Councilors of their respective states.

An honorary title that is given on rare occasions to a Senior DeMolay who has had some outstanding contribution to the DeMolay movement or humanity at large is the title of Honorary International Master Councilor.

[edit] The Cardinal Virtues

The seven Cardinal Virtues of DeMolay are:

Filial Love
Reverence for Sacred Things
Courtesy
Comradeship
Fidelity
Cleanness
Patriotism

A member who exemplifies these seven virtues can be awarded the Representative Demolay Award (RD). An Active member or Senior DeMolay who provides outstanding service can be honored with the Degree of Chevalier, the highest honor granted by the International Supreme Council for dedication to the Order of DeMolay. A member is nominated for the Chevalier Degree by the advisory council of his chapter. A list of those receiving the award is announced at the annual session of the International Supreme Council. The only honor outranking the Chevalier is the Legion of Honor, either Honorary or Active. The Active LOH is for Senior DeMolays, while the Honorary LOH is for Advisors who are not Senior DeMolays, or for other Masons.