The Ancient and Accepted Rite, Rose Croix

The Ancient and Accepted Rite is a 33 Degree system of Freemasonry encompassing a period starting with the building of King Solomon’s Temple and ending as the Middle Ages merged into the Renaissance, when Freemasonry emerged in the form we recognise today.  It endeavours to include all Masonry and most degrees therein, before progressing to the final Degree in freemasonry.

Rose Croix is the 18th Degree of this 33 Degree system and is worked in 6 Chapters in Bedfordshire, one in each of our centres. This most beautiful, profound and esoteric Degree in Freemasonry contains not only the entrustment of hidden secrets, known only to the Perfect Mason, but also what is, quite possibly, the most memorable and wonderful moment in all Freemasonry.

The Order of the Ancient and Accepted Rite is the second most populous in the world after the Craft and works the ne plus ultra of the Military Orders (no longer worked by them) before progressing further.  The Order is not an overtly military one, but rather one of inner peace, contemplation and wonder.

These Higher Degrees are conferred only by the ruling Supreme Council 33° (composed of nine members), during breathtaking Ceremonies of increasing wonder at their headquarters in Duke Street, St James’s,  London.

It is an Order based on spirituality and peace – many of the members that join comment on the peace that they feel in being a part of it. It is about, as is all Freemasonry, moving from darkness to light but this is a different sort of darkness and a different sort of light and base upon the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, also known as the Easter Story.

In terms of qualifications for joining the Rose Croix, you must have been a Master Mason for six months and the order is open to ALL faiths

The Order is administered by the Supreme Council of the 33° which is made up of 9 members. Each member has one vote and is treated as an equal.  The Grand Patron of the Order is HRH Duke of Kent – this means the only Orders of which HRH is the most senior member of are the Craft, Holy Royal Arch and Rose Croix.

On a District Level it is much smaller than that of other Orders and in this way is quite unique.  There are only two District officers – the Inspector General and the District Recorder. Between them they fulfil all of the administration of the District and its management.

To get a 30° you must have performed all of the ritual of Most Wise Sovereign to a good standard.  This does not have to be whilst you are in the chair but can be completed in segments at times when you are ready. Once all aspects have been completed, your Chapter Recorder will be able to put you to the District for the 30° which is conferred by the 9 members of the Supreme Council.

31° and 32° are only given to those members of exemplary service to their Chapters and the Order – the most common way of achieving this is by serving the Chapter for an extended period of time as one of the main offices after the Chair. This is not the only way but the common one. It cannot be just service and doing the job that is expected of you, it is the going above and beyond.

Very Illustrious Brother Simon Cooper 33°

Inspector General of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire

Please contact the District Recorder here.

Details of Chapters in the District can be found here.

The Supreme Council 33° website can be found here.