A.J.E.F.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A.J.E.F. Is an acronym which stands for Association of Youth Hope of the Fraternity (Asociacion de Jovenes Esperanza de la Fraternidad), It is an appendant body to Freemasonry for boys and girls aged 14-21 in México and Latin America.
Although initially the local organizations were known as AJEF Lodge the title recently changed to Chapters in order to reinforce the fact that it is not Masonry, but an appendant body to it.
Every chapter is sponsored by a Masonic Lodge, in both Economic and moral support.
It is equivalent in its focus and function to the Order of DeMolay.
Although it is open to both sexes mixed sessions are forbidden except on Special occasions in which there must be a master Mason present.
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[edit] Structural Organization
The Officers of a Chapter are:
- AJEF Master
- Second Light
- Third light
- Scribe
- Treasurer
- Steward
- Deacon
[edit] History
It was founded in Havana, Cuba on February 9th, 1936 by Fernando Suárez Núñez (may 7th 1882, Jan. 24 1946), the first chapter was called “ESPERANZA” (Hope)[1]
Reaching 5'000 members by 1938 its rapid growth began to foster chapters Overseas. In 1939 the first Mexican A.J.E.F. Lodge 'Benito Juarez' was established at Veracruz
[edit] Mystic and Rituals
The rituals that constitute the exercise of 'Ajefismo' are aimed at developing moral values and social skills among the initiates.
The Letters A.J.E.F. have in themselves a deeper meaning, as these are the letters of the 'fundamental words' Love, Justice, Hope and Fraternity (Amor, Justicia, Esperanza y Fraternidad).[2]
The institutions motto, always at the bottom of essays and official papers is "for the nation and mankaind" (por la patria y la humanidad).
That said their handshake is similar to the one assigned for the Entered Apprentice degree in Freemasonry.
The initiation process varies according to the region even though there is an official written liturgy with such cases noted[3], as are funerals and weddings; these initiations may vary from being verbatim to the liturgy to identical to those performed in adult Francmasonry.
In that same vein it is not uncommon for AJEF Essays to be about Esoteric themes as well as science, morals or history, and its not uncommon to find young participants to be well versed in the occult themes of Masonry.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Salas Amaro, Armando. DIA DEL AJEFISTA. masoneriacubana.com. Retrieved on January 9, 2007.
- ^ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters url and title must be specifiedGan Logia Unida Mexicana de Veracruz. . Gan Logia Unida Mexicana de Veracruz. Retrieved on January 9, 2007.
- ^ LITURGIA AJEF. Editorial Erbasa. Retrieved on January 9, 2007.
