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ILSGA:
Grotto FAQs |
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Are
Grottos Connected with Masonry? |
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Answer: |
Only in that our membership
is restricted to exclusively to Master Masons. |
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What
Is The Purposes of a Grotto? |
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Answer: |
To bring a quality of
SYMPATHY and GOOD FELLOWSHIP into life, not only
to member Prophets, but to everybody. An atmosphere
of good, clean fun and frolic prevails at all times. |
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Is
This All Fun and Frolic? |
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Answer: |
Yes, indeed! But
there is also a serious side: the promption of a
social conscience which concentrates on basic charity. |
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How
Did This All Come About? When Did It Start,
and Where? |
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Answer: |
The idea was born in
1889: at Hamilton, New York. It sprang from
a series of informal meetings, where Master Masons
gathered for relaxation and laughs. |
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Who
Came Up With the Idea? |
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Answer: |
A Master Mason, of course!
Brother LeRoy Fairchield of Hamilton, Lodge
No. 120, F. & A. M. The gatherings were
unofficial until September 10, 1889, when the organization
was formally formulated. |
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What
was the organization called originally? |
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Answer: |
Are you sitting down?
It was called the "Fairchild Deviltry
Committee," and, at the first meeting,
it was decided to restrict membership to Master
Masons, in good standing. |
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What
is the formal name of the Grotto? |
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Answer: |
The Grotto is formally
known as the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets
of the Enchanted Realm, and is commonly abbreviated
as M O V P A R. |
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How
Did The Grotto Become Such An Important International
Organization? |
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Answer: |
The Grotto became mmensely
popular because those who entered the Enchanted
Realm were: enchanted, and said so.
Once the word about this enchanted group
got out, letters poured in from Master Masons everywhere.
There was an instantaneous realization that
the Grottos were was an idea which could bring joy
into life. There are now between 205 and 245
active Grottoes in the United States and Canada. |
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When
was the name adopted? |
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Answer: |
On June 13, 1890, the
Supreme Council of the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets
of the Enchanted Realm was officially founded.
Since then it has brought merriment and GOOD
FELLOWSHIP into the lives of many thousands of Master
Masons, throughout the world.. |
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Will
you tell me more? |
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Answer: |
Yes. As eluded
above, the Grotto is a social organization, for
Master Masons only, with an emphasis on the Blue
Lodge field. Evem thought our members must
be a member, in good standing, of a Masonic Lodge,
the organization has nothing whatsoever to do with
symbolic Craft Masonry. |
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Is
there a ritual? |
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Answer: |
Perhaps the most spectacular,
colorful and elaborate ritual seen anywhere. |
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Is there
some sort of philosophy included as a basic idea? |
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Answer: |
Yes, our meetings are
not all gaiety, fun and frolic. There is a
solemn, serious motif. The lesson it
teaches invokes the precept of the Golden Rule,
translated into two words, GOOD FELLOWSHIP.
A spiritual uplift results: imparting a keener
love for life and laughter; a strengthened optimism. |
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Did
you say something about the Prophets sponsoring
a charity? |
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Answer: |
I did. Members
of the Supreme Council began, as their International
Humanitarian Objective, aid to the Cerebral Palsy
Child, a charitable trust. It is directed
by the Humanitarian Foundation of the Supreme Council,
M.O.V.P.E.R. Funds are given annually
to the United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational
Foundation. Many millions of dollars
have been contributed by the Grottoes to Cerebral
Palsy and other philanthropic charities, projects
and organizations. Our grotto's charitable
highlight is to Dental Care for Children
with Special Needs. |
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Are
the Lodges called "Grottoes"? |
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Answer: |
They are, and you should
also know that many Grand Masters, Past Grand Masters,
Governors of States, Ex-Governors, a Past President
of the United States, and numerous civic leaders
are Prophets. |
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How
often do the grottoes meet? |
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Answer: |
The Prophets, who receive
a black fez with their membership, meet once a month,
with a ceremonial twice a year. Our
international conventions present spectacular parades
that are viewed and enjoyed by thousands - both
young and old.. |
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What
will I gain by joining the Grotto? |
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Answer: |
Worthwhile charitable
effort: a pervading and exhilarating sense of GOOD
FELLOWSHIP; a ready smile, and the hand of friendship.
The last advantage is a guarantee of
high entertainment, genuine fun, and happy realization. |
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