On Wednesday 29th January, St Ithamar Chapter Rose Croix made history by holding its first-ever double Perfection, an achievement made possible only with the invaluable support of the District of East Kent.
On a chilly, slightly foggy January evening, members of St Ithamar Chapter made their way to Gundulph Square in Rochester for a special meeting to Perfect two new members. Over the past few months the Chapter had received four applications for Perfection, and with only three meetings scheduled each year, an additional meeting became necessary. The first candidate had been received at the regular December meeting, while the fourth is scheduled for March, prior to the Enthronement of the new Most Wise Sovereign.
A decision was therefore taken to apply to the Inspector General for permission to hold a special meeting in January. With relatively short notice to the officers, as expected, not everyone was able to attend, and several Past Sovereigns were required to step in to fill key roles.
However, on 19th January disaster struck when the Most Wise Sovereign was taken ill and became unable to attend the meeting. Despite the Recorder’s best efforts to find a suitable replacement at short notice, all the potential past Sovereigns were understandably reticent to take on the role.
The meeting was ultimately saved by “the cavalry” in the form of the District’s Party Pieces team. Led by Malcolm Smith as acting Most Wise Sovereign, the team of four assumed all the principal roles in the ceremony of Perfection, except that of Prelate, in the person of Ill. Bro Ron Martin. As one would expect, all the roles were carried out in exemplary fashion. The two candidates were duly balloted, prepared, and presented with the Intermediate degrees by Ill. Bro Gordon Brown, after which the ceremony continued under the direction of the acting MWS.
Naturally, the two candidates were unaware at the time just how exceptional a ritual they had experience, something they would only fully appreciate later.
The candidates, Bros Adrian Tear and Keith Aggett, are both members of Pentangle Chapter, serving as the Scribe E and 3rd Principal respectively. Both are accomplished ritualists and, I am sure, will prove to be great assets to St Ithamar Chapter. It was particularly unfortunate that our MWS was unable to attend, as he too is a member of Pentangle Chapter and had very much been looking forward to Perfecting them both.
With the business of the Chapter concluded and following the Third Point, the Chapter was closed. I then sat as the MWS at dinner, allowing the Chapter to formally thank the District team for saving the day and for delivering such an outstanding example of our wonderful ritual.
Article kindly supplied by Chris Sanford