During all Mark Master Mason lodge meetings, in those jurisdictions where the Mark Master Mason are beholden to the Grand Mark Master Mason Lodge, the lodge requires office holders to help with the workings of the lodge, which will be the subject of the following pages in this section.
In other jurisdictions, Mark Master Mason lodges are held within the Royal Arch Chapter, which is covered in the Royal Arch section here.
What are the titles of each office holder in a lodge meeting?
• R.W. Master
• Senior Warden
• Junior Warden
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Director of Ceremonies / Marshal
• Senior Deacon
• Junior Deacon
• Master Overseer
• Senior Overseer
• Junior Overseer
• Senior Steward
• Junior Steward
• Tyler / Outer Guard
• Inner Guard
• Chaplain
• Orator
• Organist / Director of Music
• Education Officer
• Past Master (Not an Office Holder)
MARK MASTER MASON LODGE – RIGHT WORSHIPFUL MASTER
Lodge Officer Duties
The Right Worshipful Master’s Jewel is the Square, which is a stonemason’s tool to ascertain true and correct angles of the cut and smoothed stone…thus his Jewel symbolizes virtue. The Right Worshipful Master of a Mark Master Masonic Lodge is the highest ranking of all Lodge Officers that a Lodge may elect.
The Right Worshipful Master sits in the East of the Lodge room (symbolic of the Rising Sun in the East) and directs all of the business of the Lodge. Note: Even if the building faces a different direction, the Master is said to be “in the East”. He also presides over rituals and ceremonies.
His position is similar to a President of any other organization. As Master, his word is final over any and all actions pertaining to his Lodge.
It is his duty to:
“Set the Craft to work and give them wholesome instruction for their labor”.
While the Right Worshipful Master’s rank is the highest of all members, his Lodge Officer Duties are the easiest to remember.
The Right Worshipful Master is responsible for every single thing within his lodge during his year as Master.
He is ultimately responsible for every other lodge officer and their duties, every lodge committee, ritual and degree work, Masonic education, social functions, fundraisers, District and Grand Lodge liaison, Trestle Board communication, etc.
All eyes are upon the Master. If lodge functions go smoothly, it is the Master who takes the credit. If lodge functions go awry, it is the Master who bears the blame. Therefore, the Master wears many hats.
It is his duty to preside over business meetings, the conferral of degrees, and the delegation of duties to all other Lodge Officers. While Freemasons call the Master, “Worshipful Master”, they do not, as some people may erroneously believe, actually worship him. “Worshipful” is an honorary title that shows respect for his position. In France, the word “Worshipful” is replaced with the word “Venerable”.
It is no different than respecting the office of our President of the United States. He would be addressed, formally, as “Mr. President” rather than by his first name.
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