Companions of the Duty

The Compagnons of the Duty is the name Générique of several association S French, heiresses of the movements of the Compagnonnage born at the time of the construction of the Cathédrale S (about the 12th century), which ensure young people, as from 16 years, a Formation with traditional trade S, based on the Apprentissage, the life in Communauté and the Voyage called Tour de France. Recently, they accommodate also the young girls in training. A rather widespread legend quotes Maitre Jacques, King Solomon and the Soubise Father as founders of the companions. More information if you like to read: deliver to the Dangles editions; titrate: the spirit of the trade-guild.

The Formation includes/understands three levels:

Apprentice or trainee: young person who follows a part-time course in a “training center of apprentice” (CFA) to obtain a CAPE or a BEP; to become Suction, the apprentice must produce a “model of adoption”;
Candidate or affiliated: young person in the course of improvement on the “lathe of France”;
Companion: Candidate who completed his work of reception, the “masterpiece of reception” which shows its professional capacities.

The passages from one level to another are often supplied with Rite S Tradition nels.

The lodging of the apprentices and the companions is done in “houses of the Companions of the Duty” to the number of forty in France, plus some in other countries of the world.

The movements compagnonnic divided for questions of competitions, worsened by philosophical, religious and political dissensions. Attempts at reunification carried out after Guerre did not succeed. There exist today three large organizations recognized by the French State:

the compagnonnic Union of the Companions of the Tour de France of the plain Duties , created in 1889,
the Workers' association of the Companions of the Duty , created in 1941 under the Mode of Vichy,
the compagnonnic Federation of the Trades of the Building industry (FCMB), created in 1952:

the company of the companions carpenters of the Duties of the Tour de France,
the company of the bricklayer's mates, stone Masons of the Duties of the Tour de France,
the company of the companions and affiliated Carpenters and Metal workers of the Duty of Freedom,
the company of the Busy companions cheerful characters, Roofers, Zinc workers, Plumbers and Plasterers of the Duty of the Tour de France.

But there also exists of other orders, like " the alternative" , movement born of a scission with " companions of Devoir" with the congress of 2000 of the stone masons, and relating to only this corporation.

Culture of the Companions

The companions always cultivated certain ethical values and a kind of realistic mystic of work well done, richness of the practical experiment and transmission of know-how. Around " Mère" , from each city, they drew near their groins a true trade.

They can still remain faithful to these roots, in particular thanks to the songs which claironnent their spirit and their courage. For example " the King and the Companion (text) " sung here…

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