What is the Order of Demolay? edit
DeMolay is an organization dedicated to preparing young men to lead successful, happy, and productive lives. Basing its approach on timeless principles and practical, hands-on experience, DeMolay opens doors for young men aged 13 to 21 by developing the civic awareness, personal responsibility and leadership skills so vitally needed in society today. DeMolay combines this serious mission with a fun approach that builds important bonds of friendship among members in more than 1,000 chapters worldwide.
Serafin V. Aguilar Chapter edit
CATALINO AURELIO CHAPTER:
- The first De Molay Chapter was instituted on April 21, 1947, and its chartered officers installed on May 28 of the same year.
- It was named after WB Catalino Aurelio, a Past Master of Kanla-on Lodge No. 64, who, while doing an intelligence mission with the resistance movement during World War II, was captured by the Japanese and was later on executed by them.
- The first Chairman of the Advisory Council was the late WB Ernesto S. Salas, and the chartered Master was his son, the late Bro. Rafael M. Salas Bro. "Paeng" Salas later became the Undersecretary of the United Nations.
- Catalino Aurelio Chapter formally surrendered its Charter on the summer of 1953.
SERAFIN V. AGUILAR (formerly Frank S. Land Memorial) CHAPTER:
- Kanla-on Lodge No. 64, officially agreed to sponsor once again the formation of the De Molay Chapter during its stated meting of July 1968. WB Serafin V. Aguilar was designated to act as Chairman of the Advisory Council.
- Frank S. Land Memorial Chapter was officially instituted by MW Manuel M. Crudo. Grand Master of Mason on 21 December, 1969. The installation of its chartered officers was done on the same date by the Installing Team from the Leon Kilat Chapter.
- WB Serafin V. Aguilar died of heart failure on January, 1973. The Kansas City, Missouri, USA, to changed the name of the Chapter from Frank S. Land Memorial to Serafin V. Aguilar, International Supreme Council (ISC) approved such petition on 21 June, 1973.
- Serafin V. Aguilar Chapter instituted the first De Molay Community Assistance Project by adopting the Island of Na-uway as it summer Protectorate. The Chapter brought a medical team to the island, distributing much needed medicine, build an artesian well, and planted a hundred trees on the hill of the island. For its effort, the Chapter was presented a plaque of recognition and thanks from the government of the sub-province of Guimaras, and the municipality of Jordan, on which the island belong. This activities were also published, complete with pictures in the "CORDON", the officially organ of the International Order of DeMolay. The project lasted for seven summers, and the evidence can be seen even today by the tall trees on the hill Na-uway Island.
- The first outdoor conferral of the Initiatory and De Molay Degrees was held at the mountain retreat of the Salas family at Brg. Ara-al, on the foothills of Kanla-on Volcano.
- Serafin V. Aguilar Chapter hosted the first Visayas Leadership Training Camp on December 20, 1973 at the Mambucal Summer Resort. It again hosted the same Camp two years later at the San Antonio Beach Resort.
- The Chapter played the host to the first city-wide inter- fraternity sportfest and physical fitness activities. It received a plaqued of commendation from the city government of Bacolod and from the Integrated National Police for this achievement.
DeMolay's Motto edit
A DeMolay should not fail as a leader, as a citizen and as a man
Purposes of a DeMolay edit
The main purposes of DeMolay are the building of better citizens and creating leaders through the development of character in young men.
DeMolay accomplishes its goal of building better citizens by offering the teenage young man of today four items:
o A wholesome occupation for your spare time o Worthwhile associates o The best of environment o An interesting and complete program for all-around youth development.
7 Cardinal Virtues edit
o Filial Love o Reverence for Sacred things o Courtesy o Comradeship o Fidelity o Cleanness o Patriotism
14 DeMolay Ethics edit
o A DeMolay serves God. o A DeMolay loves and honors his parents. o A DeMolay honors all womanhood. o A DeMolay is honest. o A DeMolay is loyal to ideals and friends o A DeMolay Practices honest toil. o A DeMolay’s word is as good as his bond. o A DeMolay is courteous o A DeMolay is gentleman at all times o A DeMolay is a patriot in peace as well as in war. o A DeMolay is clean in mind and body o A DeMolay stands unswervingly for the public schools. o A DeMolay always bears the reputation of a good and law-abiding citizen. o A DeMolay by precept and example must preserve the high standards to which he has pledged himself.
Structural Organization edit
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, Scribe, Treasurer, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steward, Chaplain, Marshal, Standard Bearer, Almoner,, Orator Sentinel, 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," a term hearkening back to one of the first members, who thought of founder Frank S. Land as the father he never had, and took to calling him "Dad Land." 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 (a Master Mason) in a state is called an "Executive Officer" and the lead advisor (a Master Mason) 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.
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.
the Demolay Emblem edit
Every part of the pin has its particular significance and every member should know them by heart.
The CROWN is symbolic of the Crown of Youth and constantly reminds a Demolay of his obligations and the seven precepts of his Order.
The TEN PRECIOUS STONES of the crown honor Founder Frank S. Land and the nine youths whose ties of friendship drew them together in the formation of the Order of DeMolay. The RED RUBIES honor those who have passed away. THE PEARLS represent those living members of the original nice Demolays. When, as comes to every man, the final summons for each one of this honored group, a red ruby takes the place of a pearl.
The HELMET is emblematic of the chivalry, without which there can be no fineness of character.
The CRESCENT is a sign of secrecy and constantly reminds Demolays of their duty never to reveal the secrets of our Order or betray the confidence of a friend.
The five-armed WHITE CROSS symbolizes the purity of your intentions to always remember the motto of the Order, “No DeMolay shall fail as a citizen, as a leader and as a man.”
The CROSSED SWORDS denote justice, fortitude, and mercy. They symbolize the unceasing warfare of Demolay against arrogance, despotism, and intolerance.
The STARS surrounding the crescent are symbolic of hope and should always remind us of those obligations and duties which one brother of the Order owes another.