St Giles Lodge No. 8555
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    • St Giles MCF 2021 Festival Challenge >
      • 21st May Michael Perkins, Martin Robinson & John Waller's 30k cycle ride challenge
      • 16th Nov Gary Charnock's challenge
    • BMCF Brian Baker's Masonic Miscellanea
    • BMCF Brian Baker's Collected Short Talks for New Companions
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  • Events
    • 2019 >
      • 13th July St Giles BBQ
      • 15th June Putt & Pint
      • John Waller 4th May Skydive
      • 24th Jan COI Meal
      • Prof displayed in the National Gallery
    • 2018 >
      • Close cut for Jenny
      • 19th December 2018 Lodge Photo
      • 11th November Remembrance Day March
      • 29th September Ladies Night
      • 6 day Walk from Newcastle to Solway on Firth following Hadrian's wall
      • 25th March Cheque Presentation Evening
    • 2017 >
      • 18th Oct St Giles Installation
      • Sept 30th St Giles Ladies Night
      • Sept 2nd Lodge BBQ
      • June 23rd & 24th Martin Robinson's 3 Peaks challenge
      • June 10th Walk for Crohn's & Colitis
      • 21st May Michael Perkins, Martin Robinson & John Waller's 30k cycle ride challenge
      • May 19th St Giles Quiz night
    • 2016 >
      • 21st Dec White Table 2016
      • 25th Nov COI meal
      • 19th Oct St Giles Installation
      • Gary Charnocks challenge
      • 12th Nov Go Karts
      • 6th Nov Spice Hut get together
      • 24th Oct Annual Provincial Meeting
      • 18th Oct Lodge BBQ
      • 3rd July Clay Shoot
      • 30th June Freemasonry In the Community
    • 2015 >
      • 21st October Installation Meeting
      • Lodge BBQ
    • 2014 >
      • Lodge BBQ
      • COI meal
      • Visit to the United Grand
    • 2013 >
      • Freemasonry In the Community
    • 2011 >
      • Freemasonry In the Community
    • 2010 >
      • Jenny & Michael's Ladies Festival
Picture


​Lodge Mentoring notes 

​LODGE MENTORING NOTE No. 1
 
Q1. What is the origin of the words “So mote it be” which we use at the end of our Opening and Closing odes, etc. 

 
 A. From the Masonic point of view, they came into our usage in the 14th century, and our two earliest versions of the Old Charges both include the phrase in their closing words, which I render in modem spelling, as follows:  
The Regius MS., c. 1390, after a closing prayer, adds “Amen, amen, so mote it be, Say we so all, for charity”. 
 The Cooke MS., c. 1410, has “Amen so mote it be”.  The phrase means literally “So be it” and it was used in the middle ages in England as a pious finale to prayers or blessings.
 It should be noted that the medieval formula began with the Hebrew word “Amen”, nowadays often omitted from Masonic usage. The word “Amen” has a range of meanings all related to fidelity, constancy, sureness, trust, and when used at the end of Hebrew prayers and blessings it was a formula.  


Q2. Have Freemasons always worn black ties?

A.  No we have not. The attire at Lodge would be varied and appropriate for the brother’s station and purse through the 18th and early 19th centuries. Gradually a suit becoming the norm worn and with a tie (although these varied in style)
The standard black tie becoming commonplace after the first World War as a mark of respect for fallen brethren. So the answer is that it became commonplace from 1918 but is now becoming less frequent following the introduction of Festival, Provincial and Grand Lodge ties.


​Q3. Why do we set off with the left foot?
​

 A. This probably comes from a military influence.  To begin an orderly movement of a group, that is anything above one, it would be necessary for all to step off with the same foot. If as a soldier carrying a heavy weapon, or an official possibly carrying a staff or badge of office, usually in the right hand, for the sake of balance it is necessary to step off with the left foot.
 If you are unsure about this try lifting a sack of potatoes in your right hand and setting off with your right foot. What happens next will clearly demonstrate the necessity of setting off with the left foot!  
 
Compiled by W. Bro. Brian Baker
St. Giles Lodge Mentor
05/18                                                     Revision 0 

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  • Home
  • About
    • Where we meet
    • Lodge Mentoring Notes
    • The History of Freemasonry
    • Hallstone Jewel
    • The History of St Giles
    • Who was Saint Giles
    • The History of Holy Royal Arch
    • St Giles 8555 Website Security Policy
  • Our Charities
    • Charities we support
    • St Giles MCF 2021 Festival Challenge >
      • 21st May Michael Perkins, Martin Robinson & John Waller's 30k cycle ride challenge
      • 16th Nov Gary Charnock's challenge
    • BMCF Brian Baker's Masonic Miscellanea
    • BMCF Brian Baker's Collected Short Talks for New Companions
  • Interested in Joining?
    • Joining Freemasonry?
    • Next step the Royal Arch >
      • Holy Royal Arch
      • WHY THE ROYAL ARCH?
  • Events
    • 2019 >
      • 13th July St Giles BBQ
      • 15th June Putt & Pint
      • John Waller 4th May Skydive
      • 24th Jan COI Meal
      • Prof displayed in the National Gallery
    • 2018 >
      • Close cut for Jenny
      • 19th December 2018 Lodge Photo
      • 11th November Remembrance Day March
      • 29th September Ladies Night
      • 6 day Walk from Newcastle to Solway on Firth following Hadrian's wall
      • 25th March Cheque Presentation Evening
    • 2017 >
      • 18th Oct St Giles Installation
      • Sept 30th St Giles Ladies Night
      • Sept 2nd Lodge BBQ
      • June 23rd & 24th Martin Robinson's 3 Peaks challenge
      • June 10th Walk for Crohn's & Colitis
      • 21st May Michael Perkins, Martin Robinson & John Waller's 30k cycle ride challenge
      • May 19th St Giles Quiz night
    • 2016 >
      • 21st Dec White Table 2016
      • 25th Nov COI meal
      • 19th Oct St Giles Installation
      • Gary Charnocks challenge
      • 12th Nov Go Karts
      • 6th Nov Spice Hut get together
      • 24th Oct Annual Provincial Meeting
      • 18th Oct Lodge BBQ
      • 3rd July Clay Shoot
      • 30th June Freemasonry In the Community
    • 2015 >
      • 21st October Installation Meeting
      • Lodge BBQ
    • 2014 >
      • Lodge BBQ
      • COI meal
      • Visit to the United Grand
    • 2013 >
      • Freemasonry In the Community
    • 2011 >
      • Freemasonry In the Community
    • 2010 >
      • Jenny & Michael's Ladies Festival