MSRICF
Masonic Societas Rosicruciana
in Civitatibus Foederatis
The purpose of the MSRICF is produce mutual aid and encouragement
in working out the great questions of Life; and in searching the
secrets of Nature; facilitating the study of the system of Philosophy founded
upon the Kabalah and the doctrine of Hermes Trismegitus, which
was inculcated
by the original Fratres Rosae Crucis, A.D. 1450. Additionally,
its aim is to investigate the meaning and symbolism of all that now remains
of
the wisdom, art and literature of the ancient world.
Formed in the United States, on September 21, 1880, by three Colleges
chartered within the previous ten months by the Society in Scotland, the
present organization is entirely autonomous and in no way connected with
any other institution.
The Society is in amity with the only other similar societies in the world--Societas
Rosicruciana in Anglia (England) and Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia (Scotland).
Membership, is by invitation, and predicated on Masonic affiliation. The
Society is not another Masonic degree, but exists outside of the normal "workings" of
the Craft.
The governing body of the Society is known as The High Council composed
of Fratres of the Third Order (IX° and VIII°), plus any College
Celebrant not a member of the Third Order.
The head of the Society is titled The Supreme Magus, IX° degree, elected
each triennium.
The subordinate bodies are termed "Colleges", each being headed,
in the United States, by a Chief Adept, IX°, appointed for life by
the Supreme Magus. Membership in a college has been restricted to 72.
New members are required to select a distinctive "Latin Motto" and
state that they are not a member of a non-Masonic Rosicrucian organization
as a matter of ethics. The Society is not interested primarily in increasing
its membership, but is always happy to consider such brethren whose interest
in the Society's aims is sincere and whom it considers to be in sympathy
with the movement.
Colleges have the power to confer the following grades:
First Order: Consisting of Four Grades
(These are classified as the Learning Grades.)
First Grade.........Zelator
Second Grade....Theoricus
Third Grade.........Practicus
Fourth Grade.......Philosophus
Second Order: Consisting of Three Grades:
(These are the Teaching Grades.)
Fifth Grade...........Adeptus Minor
Sixth Grade..........Adeptus Major
Seventh Grade.....Adeptus Exemptus
The jewel of these two orders is a bar with the letters S.R.I.C.F. from
which is suspended a green ribbon with the grade achieved embroidered in
Roman numerals and the jewel.
The Third Order consists of Two Grades conferred by the Supreme Magus
(These are the Ruling Grades, conferred only by or with the permission
of the Supreme Magus.)
Eighth Grade..........Magister
The jewel is the same as the VII except the ribbon is gold with a suspended
jewel.
Ninth Grade............Magus The jewel is a miter from which is suspended a red ribbon and jewel.
In North America - There are 32 active Colleges including:
Alabama
Arkansas
California
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Mississippi
Missouri
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
North Star (Minnesota)
Oklahoma
Ontario (Canada)
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Supreme Magus (at large)
Tenessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
There are additional College world wide.
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