Masons always seem to be in search of more light and this renewed desire is the key reason for having the upcoming Spaghetti Dinner (although some Brothers said that they miss my cooking the monthly lodge dinner and just want to get me back in the kitchen.) Believe it or not, the lodge building is pushing 40 years old, and with it, so are most of the light fixtures and facilities. The proceeds from this dinner will be put to good use renewing the lighting on the second and third floors and to provide additional security lighting for the parking lot. Having this Italian Dinner on the weekend of the Ides of March means we plan to have some fun doing it. In addition to my homemade spaghetti and meatballs there will be a theme fitting Cesar salad (as Master of the Lodge, I kindly request that all daggers be checked at the door that weekend).

Forty years ago this Ides of March my parents Raymond and Genevieve Roswold were married. My sister and I would like to extend an invitation to the members of Arcana to join Ray and Gen in calibrating their 40^th Anniversary by attending their open house on March 15^th, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on the second floor at Arcana Masonic Hall. Cake and coffee will be available for all to enjoy, no gifts please.

The week of March 18^th is DeMolay Week in remembrance of the name sake of the Order. As the three senior officers of Arcana Lodge are all Senior DeMolay’s, we will honor this tradition in two ways. First, our Lodge Education Officer, WB Joe Macko, has arranged for the Grand Master of the International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay, Brother Tony Krall, to give a short presentation following our stated meeting on March 9^th. Second, I have asked all of the officers and members of Arcana Lodge to attend Lincoln Chapter DeMolay’s stated meeting on Thursday, March 19^th.

Until next month, may the blessing of heaven rest upon us and all regular Masons. May brotherly love prevail and every social and moral virtue cement us.

By now everyone should have received their tickets for the Spaghetti Dinner fund raiser on March 14^th. Please contact me or the Worshipful Master if you need extra tickets, or if you would like to place a flyer in your store front window. We’re hoping for a big turn-out for this event so that we can finance the much needed lighting improvements for our building. Please turn-in your ticket money early so that we can get a good idea of how many people we will be serving. So far only a few people have signed up to help in the kitchen and dinning room. I’d like to see at least eight more brothers sign up to help out. The more people that help, the easier it will be for all of us!

Until next month, please remember that harmony is the strength and support of all societies, more especially of ours.

The Knights Templar was an organization sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church in 1128 to guard the road between Jerusalem and Acre, an important port city on the Mediterranean Sea. The Order of Knights Templar participated in the Crusades and earned a name for valor and heroism.

With many nobles and princes sending their sons to join the Knights Templar, the Order also became very wealthy and popular throughout Europe.

In 1298, Jacques DeMolay was named Grand Master of the Knights Templar, a position of power and prestige. As Grand Master however, Jacques DeMolay was also in a difficult position. The Crusades were not achieving their goals. The non-Christian Saracens defeated the Crusaders in battle and captured many vital cities and posts. The Knights Templar and the Hospitalers (another Order of Knights) were the only groups remaining to confront the Saracens.

The Knights Templar decided to reorganize and regain their strength. They traveled to the island of Cyprus, waiting for the general public to rise up in support of another Crusade.

Instead of public support, however, the Knights attracted the attention of powerful lords, who were interested in obtaining their wealth and power. In 1305, Philip the Fair, King of France, set about to obtain control of the Knights Templars. They had been accountable only to the Church. To prevent a rise in the power of the Church, and to increase his own wealth, Philip set out to take over the Knights.

The year 1307 saw the beginning of the persecution of the Knights. Jacques DeMolay, along with hundreds of others, were seized and thrown into dungeons. For seven years, DeMolay and the Knights suffered torture and inhuman conditions. While the Knights did not end, Philip managed to force Pope Clement to condemn the Templars. Their wealth and property were confiscated and given to Philip's supporters.

During years of torture, Jacques DeMolay continued to be loyal to his friends and Knights. He refused to disclose the location of the funds of the Order and he refused to betray his comrades. On March 18, 1314, DeMolay was tried by a special court. As evidence, the court depended on a forged confession, allegedly signed by DeMolay.

Jacques DeMolay disavowed the forged confession. Under the laws of the time, the disavowal of a confession was punishable by death. Another Knight, Guy of Auvergne, likewise disavowed his confession and stood with Jacques DeMolay.