From The Worshipful Master

March 2024

We’ve made it through another New England February — but it hasn’t been all cold and darkness.Thanks to the diligent efforts of our Brother Senior Warden Mike Hudson, St. John’s Lodge was able to deliver beautiful Valentine’s Day flowers to our Special Ladies both here and elsewhere around the country. Thank you Brother Hudson! According to Punxsutawney Phil, we are in for an early spring — and at the risk of provoking Old Man Winter, I’d like to say I’m very much looking forward to a season of renewal. By happy coincidence we have a new candidate, a candidate who, like those who came before him, represents renewal for our Lodge — both in terms of perpetuating our membership and providing us an opportunity to revisit the lessons of the degrees as he travels through them. With that in mind, let’s consider one of the most profound moments in all our ritual, the presentation of the lambskin apron to the Entered Apprentice. Its significance is twofold. First, as the badge of a Mason, it says to our new Brother “you are one of us now”. Everyone who wears the apron belongs to the “in” crowd. And it’s true — the cliques and divisions of the profane world have no place among us as a Band of Brothers. Second, the apron admonishes us to keep a pure heart. We point to its white and spotless surface when new, but in reality, the apron is a humble work garment — and we can imagine how the aprons of our ancient Brethren looked after years of work in the quarries and cathedrals. Our work is sometimes messy, but the selfsacrificing nature of the apron — a garment traditionally and fittingly lambskin — protects us. I received my apron from the late Worshipful Brother Robert Buffum, and one of my fondest memories was being able to wear it when he received the Grand Lodge Centenarian Award at his 100th birthday celebration. These first aprons are meant to be worn, and I encourage everyone to dig theirs out on occasion — perhaps, say, to commemorate the month of one’s initiation — wear it to a meeting, and think about what it means. So mote it be.

Fraternally,

Worshipful

Alan D. Ammann.  Worshipful Master

The Master’s Message    Portsmouth Freemasons | St. John’s