“Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: …” Mathew 25:36
“This is not a group in the usual sense. There are no officers or dues.
My role as Grand Hospitalier is more of a clerical role.
Your only costs will be the costs to make visits.”
– W∴B∴ Eddie LeBoeuf III, Grand Hospitalier for the Grand Lodge of Louisiana
As Freemasons we are admonished to visit sick and distressed Brothers, as well
as the widows of those Brethren who have moved on to that House not made
with hands, eternal in the Heavens. This is a duty that is frequently forgotten and
left by the wayside. It is often that our reminder is in the form of the death notice
of a Brother who has passed. Moreover, at those very same funerals we line
up after the Masonic Service, pledging one-by-one to “be there” for the widows,
but in due course, they fade from our memory.
In standard York Rite Districts, the Worshipful Master and Wardens constitute
the Relief Committee and are especially tasked with these duties. While in the
16th (Scottish Rite) Masonic District there is an officer, called the Hospitalier,
that is charged with this duty in addition to the Relief Committee. The Grand
Lodge of Louisiana F&AM, likewise, has a Grand version of this officer. As these
Hospitaliers, whether grand or otherwise, cannot be everywhere, and this duty is
something that we all, as Masons, should perform.
A program has been created to remind the Brothers that we should all try and be
Hospitaliers. The program will be more of a challenge; a challenge to make six
visits. More is better, but all we ask is six. While this amount is small, there are
times and occasions where just one visit can make all the difference to a
distressed Brother, or the widow of a deceased Brother.
Some of you probably already do this and more, especially those of you who are Shriners.
This challenge is not just meant to stimulate you to visit the sick, but in doing so you
will inspire others to meet the challenge.
This program will be administered by the Grand Hospitalier, and is approved by
the Grand Master. There is a form to fill out and successful completion of the
program will result in a certificate and a lapel pin.
CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED
Instructions and Best Practices:
- Be aware that your Masonic Honor is all that is needed to
confirm your completion of the program. - Incomplete forms may need more info.
- Try to let other Brothers know about your visits and get a group together.
- Always try and inquire if the person being visited is accepting visitors.
- If they request you to wear a mask, please honor their wishes.
- Visits for sick Brethren must be offsite at their home or hospital.
It can be at a Lodge meeting if they were invited to attend after a
long absence and they are being singularly honored for their service.
(A Past Master night would count) - Visits for Widows must be offsite, except for:
• A Lodge Widow night, which will count as one visit.
• If the Widow of the Brother was a Past Grand Presiding Officer of a York Rite Body
(i.e. Past or Current Grand Master, Past or Current Grand High Priest, Past or Current Grand Illustrious Master, or Past or Current Grand Eminent Commander only) there is a special award available through the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons.Please see me or the Grand High Priest for more information; it only costs $50. - Visits to Order of Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls, and DeMolay
(including Senior DeMolays as well) - Purchase of the Grand Master Challenge coin can count only once;
regardless of coins purchased. - Shrine Patient parties or Shrine hospital events count as events as well.
- Joining the Shrine or reinstating counts as a visit.
- Check to see if your Lodge needs to award 25 or 50 year certificates to home-bound members.