Ritual Proficiency Certification
Organization and Implementation
The Ritual Proficiency Certification is organized and implemented under the supervision of the Grand Lecturer. An ad-hoc committee was formed for the organization, implementation, and administration for the Ritual Certification Program.
This tri-fold publication can be used to encourage participation in the Ritual Proficiency Certification program in your lodge. Please consider printing a few copies for your lodge. (Click here for help with double-sided printing)
Challenge and Purpose
Mississippi Master Masons are challenged to select and perform from the forms, ceremonies, and lectures of the three degrees. This will provide them with an opportunity to take an active role within their home Lodge, as well as the various Lodges in their geographical area. By taking part in this program, they will be making themselves dedicated Ritualists; and, they will be making their Lodge and Freemasonry stronger.
The primary intent of the Ritual Proficiency Certification is to create a culture for Lodges to be self-sufficient in the Mississippi Uniform Work.
It has several other benefits including a form of recognition for all of the Brethren in the craft, create a resource to assist the smaller Lodges, create a desire in new Masons to become proficient, prepare Brethren for officer positions and help current Officers to become ready to move up the officer line and fill in when the need arises.
There is no doubt that this program will provide many other benefits throughout this jurisdiction. The Masters of the Lodges should promote this program as a means to strengthen their Lodge. It should be encouraged among the newer members, not only to prepare them for future Officer Positions but to help create a sense of purpose and a real feeling that they are needed by the Lodge. It could help them begin the fulfilling journey into ritual work that so many of us enjoy.
This program may also help with retention of members especially when the participating Brethren are used to give lectures, to fill in when presiding officers are absent or to help with the coaching of newer members. By generating a positive atmosphere among the newer members, this could possibility increase their desire to become more active and to attract prospective members.
Rules for Enrollment
- Applicant must be a Master Mason in Good Standing in a Mississippi Subordinate Lodge.
- The enrollment form must be completed, dated, and signed by the Applicant’s Lodge Worshipful Master; and signed and sealed by the Applicant’s Lodge Secretary.
- Enrollment Forms must be submitted to the Committee on Ritual Proficiency, along with a check made payable to GLMS Ritual Certification in the amount of $80.00. This program will be self-funded and the honorarium is deposited in the Program Fund to cover the basic cost of the Certificate, Jewel, printing and administration of the program.
- Incomplete or improper forms will be returned.
- Enrollment Forms and appropriate Fees must be received BEFORE you can be examined. After you enroll, you will be sent a welcome letter which will serve as your verification making you eligible to test. Examination forms dated prior to your enrollment date will not be accepted.
Ritual Proficiency Certification Enrollment Form
Rules for Advancement
- Please remember – every time you perform the ritual, you’re retracing a centuries-old tradition and making an impression on your candidate. Your effectiveness depends upon your ability as a ritualist.
- The Applicant must perform the ritual parts from memory. Reading the part will not merit receiving credit for the part.
- If this Certification is to be respected and sought after as a mark of accomplishment, we must insist that those who receive it pass a creditable examination.
- This credibility implies not just rote memorization but also appropriate floor work; articulation; pronunciation; vocal shading and emphasis; and gestures, etc.; appropriate to the part.
- Proficiency is a judgment factor the examiner, as an individual, must weigh, and should be based on firsthand knowledge of the applicant’s capability.
- In the final analysis, the prestige of this Certification rests in the hands of the examiner; whom we trust will not allow it to deteriorate.
- Applicants will be held to the highest expectations and testing standards.
Issuance of Certification
The Ritual Proficiency Certification herein specified shall be issued on the approval of the Grand Lecturer. Examination for the Certification shall be conducted by one of the Custodians of the Work, the Grand Lecturer, or his duly authorized representative. Contact information for the Custodians of the Work and the Grand Lecturer can be found in the Blue Lodge Directory.
A list of authorized examiners can be found at the bottom of this page.
The said Certification shall be issued in recognition of the Proficiency of the applicant but shall not authorize the holder thereof to conduct a School of Instruction or to serve as a District Deputy Grand Lecturer without specific authority from the Grand Lecturer to do so.
Ritual Proficiency Certification can be revoked for Suspension for Non-Payment of Dues, un-Masonic Conduct, or failure to maintain a suitable degree of proficiency.
Levels of Advancement
- Proficient in the Catechism of the Entered Apprentice Degree including Questions and Answers.
- Proficient in the Catechism of the Fellow Craft Degree including Questions and Answers.
- Proficient in the Catechism of the Master Mason Degree including Questions and Answers; first and section Sections.
- Proficient in Opening and Closing of the Lodge in the Entered Apprentice Degree, in all chairs; including Opening and Closing Prayers, and Benediction.
- Proficient in Opening and Closing of the Lodge in the Fellow Craft Degree, in all chairs; including Opening and Closing Prayers, and Benediction.
- Proficient in Opening and Closing of the Lodge in the Master Mason Degree, in all chairs; including Opening and Closing Prayers, and Benediction.
SENIOR RITUALIST (Level 2) CHECKLIST
- Proficient in Level 1; and
- Proficient in the Uniform Work of the Entered Apprentice Degree, in all chairs, including Lectures and Charge.
ADVANCED RITUALIST (Level 3) CHECKLIST
- Proficient in Levels 1 and 2; and
- Proficient in the Uniform Work of the Fellow Craft Degree, in all chairs, including Lectures and Charge.
MASTER RITUALIST (Level 4) CHECKLIST
- Proficient in Levels 1, 2, and 3; and
- Proficient in the Uniform Work of the Master Mason Degree, in all chairs, including Lectures and Charge.
Senior Ritualist (Level 2) Checklist
Advanced Ritualist (Level 3) Checklist
Master Ritualist (Level 4) Checklist
Description of Certificate and Jewel
The Ritual Proficiency Certification shall consist of a Certificate and a Jewel suspended from a navy blue ribbon.
The Jewel is approximately 2” in diameter and consists of a navy blue shield upon which is depicted the Official Seal of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi. Around the shield, there will be the appearance of a draped navy blue ribbon. Upon the ribbon shall be inscribed, “Grand Lodge of Mississippi Ritual Proficiency Award.”
Each Level will be designated as follows:
Level 1, Ritualist: Jewel
Level 2, Senior Ritualist: One Star Attachment
Level 3, Advanced Ritualist: Two Star Attachment
Level 4: Master Ritualist: Three Star Attachment
Jewel with Star Devices
Certification and Presentation
Upon completion of each level, a letter of recognition appropriate to the Level of achievement will be sent to the home Lodge Secretary for proper presentation.
The Neck Jewel and Ribbon, as well as the Grand Lodge Certificate will be presented at a special ceremony during the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge.
If, for some reason, the Applicant is unable to attend the Annual Communication of Grand Lodge, a suitable time and place may be arranged at the discretion of the Grand Lodge Committee on the Ritual Proficiency Certification.
If you have any further questions please email Randall Rich at ritualcertification@msgrandlodge.org
Masonic Burial Service Proficiency Certification
Rules for Enrollment
- Applicant must be a Master Mason in Good Standing in a Mississippi Subordinate Lodge.
- The enrollment form must be completed, dated, and signed by the Applicant’s Lodge Worshipful Master; and signed and sealed by the Applicant’s Lodge Secretary.
- Enrollment Forms must be submitted to the Committee on Ritual Proficiency, along with a check made payable to the GLMS Ritual Certification in the amount of $30.00. This program will be self-funded and the honorarium is deposited in the Program Fund to cover the basic cost of the Certificate, Jewel, printing and administration of the program.
- Incomplete or improper forms will be returned.
- Enrollment Forms and appropriate Fees must be received BEFORE you can be examined. After you enroll, you will be sent a welcome letter which will serve as your verification making you eligible to test. Examination forms dated prior to your enrollment date will not be accepted.
Burial Service Proficiency Certification Enrollment Form
Rules for Advancement
- Please remember – every time you perform the ritual, you’re retracing a centuries-old tradition and making an impression on your candidate. Your effectiveness depends upon your ability as a ritualist.
- The Applicant must perform the ritual parts from memory. Reading the part will not merit receiving credit for the part.
- If this Certification is to be respected and sought after as a mark of accomplishment, we must insist that those who receive it pass a creditable examination.
- This credibility implies not just rote memorization but also appropriate floor work; articulation; pronunciation; vocal shading and emphasis; and gestures, etc.; appropriate to the part.
- Proficiency is a judgment factor the examiner, as an individual, must weigh, and should be based on firsthand knowledge of the applicant’s capability.
- In the final analysis, the prestige of this Certification rests in the hands of the examiner; whom we trust will not allow it to deteriorate.
- Applicants will be held to the highest expectations and testing standards.
Level of Advancement
- Proficient in the Masonic Burial Service
Masonic Burial Service Checklist
Description of Certificate and Jewel
The Masonic Burial Service Proficiency Certification shall consist of a Certificate and a Pocket Jewel.
The Jewel is approximately 1.5” wide and approximately 4” in length and consists of a gold colored “Lodge of Sorrow” top bar with an All Seeing Eye; and a red Patonce Cross suspended from a black and white ribbon drape.
Certification and Presentation
Upon completion, a letter of recognition will be sent to the home Lodge Secretary for proper presentation.
The Pocket Jewel, as well as the Grand Lodge Certificate, will be presented at a special ceremony during the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge.
If you have any further questions please email Randall Rich at ritualcertification@msgrandlodge.org
Current List of Examiners
Examinations for Certification shall be conducted by a Member of the Board of Custodians, the Grand Lecturer, or his duly authorized representative.
The following are duly authorized Ritual Proficiency Examiners:
Jason A. Jefcoat, PGM, Grand Lecturer – Soso, MS
Danny O. Alexander, PGM, Grand Lecturer Emeritus – Little Rock, MS
Bobby R. Ainsworth, PGM, Board of Custodians – Ellisville, MS
Fred F. Bean, PGM, Board of Custodians – Meridian, MS
James A. Forbus, PGM, Board of Custodians – Amory, MS
Charles Lynn “Fuzzy” Cox, PGM, Board of Custodians – Brandon, MS
Homer E. Sullivan, PGM, Board of Custodians – Hattiesburg, MS
Marvin Weeks, DDGL – Mathiston, MS
Frank E. Brewer, Board of Custodians – Saucier, MS
Randy W. Glover, PGM – Olive Branch, MS
James Harold Norton, PGM – Corinth, MS
Jerry Weaver, HPGM – Houston, MS
Stephen Yon, GM – Biloxi, MS
Lester Ivy, DDGL – Mize, MS
William Lee Brady DDGL Byhalia, MS
Ricky Dariel Koonce DDGL Grenada, MS
Terry Lewis, DDGL – Meridian, MS
Worshipful Master Proficiency Certification
Click HERE for an overview and outline of the program.
DESIGN: A stand alone proficiency program designed to help Blue Lodge Worshipful Masters become proficient in the standard as well as infrequent activities of lodge meetings.
The proficiency is designed in two levels. Both must be completed to receive Grand Lodge Certificate and Lapel Pin. Idealy, Level A (Items 1-5) would be completed during the Junior Warden year of service. Level B (Items 6-12) would be completed during the Senior Warden year of service. However, any Sitting Master, Past Master, or other Master Mason could complete the proficiency program at any time.
Click HERE to enroll in the Worshipful Master Proficiency Certification program.
Click HERE for a list of the current examiners for the Worshipful Master Proficiency Certification program. Additional examiners will be appointed as the program progresses. This is critical to the goal of achieving consistency in this work in all lodges.
COST: The cost for both levels of the program will be $20 to be paid upon enrollment.
Description of Certificate and Lapel Pin
This picture represents the lapel pin to be issued to successful candidates after completion of Level B. The small circle in the center is a zircon diamond. The Certificate would be similar to the Ritual Proficiency Certificates with the distinction of “Worshipful Master Proficiency Certificate.”
