Ritual , Secrecy , and Civil Society
ed that the Masons of Metz knew nothing whatsoever about this degree .
Masonic rituals from the 18th century with dates are extremely rare . By chance , for the degree of Rose-Croix we have two manuscripts at our disposal bearing dates , 1763 and 1765 , which we have no reason to cast doubt upon . The rituals that they offer are moreover widely similar , as is the set of Rose-Croix rituals that can be attributed to the years 1760 — 1770 . Upon reading these texts , the deeply Christian nature of the degree is clearly apparent . The ceremony of the Sovereign Chapter of Rose-Croix successively unfolds in several symbolic places : “ The first apartment represents Mount Calvary . It will be covered in black and illuminated by 33 stars ” 3
“ The 2nd represents the tomb and the moment of the Resurrection of J . C . It must be decorated as grandly as possible . The wall-covering must be striking , without any human figure [...] on the altar , which is well decorated . Jesus C . is represented there leaving the tomb , triumphant .” 4
The Chapter ’ s undertakings open out toward : “ The instant when the Temple veil ripped , when Shadows and dismay spread over the Earth , when the light grew dark , when the tools of Masonry broke , when the blazing star disappeared , when the cubic stone sweat blood and water , and when the word was lost .”
Then the Wise Master ( this is the president ' s title ) makes the following invitation : “ My brothers , since Masonry is feeling such disgrace , let us give our full attention to new endeavors in order to rediscover the word .” 5
The candidate to the degree of Rose- Croix does not have marvelous new secrets offered to him right away . He is simply invited to take part in the efforts of disabled knights . The latter group indeed set off seeking “ through one new law to rediscover that word ” 6 that will reestablish order and harmony in the world . At first , the candidate is invited to travel , symbolically , for 33 years . During these peregrinations , he will discover 3 virtues : Faith , Hope , and Charity , which are presented to him as the new foundations of the Order ; he is invited to “ notice the beauties of this new law .” 7
With serenity restored by these first encouraging discoveries , the candidate is prompted to undertake his quest . He is next led “ into the darkest place where the word must emerge triumphant . [ Then ] the fruit of his search secures the lost word [ for him ].” 8 This word is revealed to be “ I . N . R . I . or Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews ,” 9 “ the password is Emmanuel .” 10 Once the reception is brought to an end , the works of the chapter are closed at the “… moment when the word is rediscovered ; when the cubic stone is changed into mystic rose , when the blazing star reappears with
3
Document : un rituel du degré de Rose-Croix daté de 1765 , in Renaissance Traditionnelle , année 1971 ( n ° 5 , 6 et 7 ) 73 . It is a transcription of manuscript MS 23191 , preserved in the archives of the Historical Library
[ Bibliothèque Historique ] of the City of Paris .
4
Transcript . cit . , R . T . 1971 , 75-76 .
5
Transcript . cit . , R . T . 1971 , 156 .
6
Transcript . cit . , R . T . 1971 , 158 .
7
Transcript . cit . , R . T . 1971 , 159 .
8
Transcript . cit . , R . T . 1971 , 162 .
9
Transcript . cit . , R . T . 1971 , 164 .
10
Transcript . cit . , R . T . 1971 , 165 .
16