French rite

The French Rite , also called “modern” rite sometimes, is a rite maconnic practiced in various forms and by several French obediences.

History

The French Rite is closely related to the birth of the Franc-maçonnerie in France. The exiled British ones bring the rite of the Modern ones which will be translated, gradually, in French. But if this hybrid form does not know yet the name of French Rite , it is well to be distinguished from the systems known as " écossais" that this one is formed.

In order to ensure a Freemasonry national dimension, the Grand the East of France organizes the standardization of the “modern” rites hexagonal as of 1782. In 1785, the model is fixed for the first three degrees in “blue cabin” which always know a strong English influence in distinction of the rites Scot.

But it is only in 1801 that the Grand the East of France prints the rite under the Régulateur of the Mason who contains many additions besides and corrections compared to the previous model which circulated in handwritten and discrete form within the cabins.

Several reforms of the rite will be undertaken.

In 1858 is essential the French Rite said Murat which returns to the bases of the Constitutions of Anderson without to transform the rite durably.

After the schism of 1877, the Large College of the Rites of the Grand the East of France decides on a new reform. This one will take place in 1879 when are évincés French Rite the formulas with religious connotations of which, for example, the reference to the Great architect of the Universe and duties towards God.

The commission directed by Louis Aimable in 1886 will concluera the adogmatic form of the rite by giving him a color positivist. One will speak after this date about the French Rite known as Aimable . This last will know some corrections of less importance in 1907 to remain such as it is until in 1938.

1938 sees the initiative of the Large Master Arthur Groussier of the Grand the East of France for a new reform of the rite. It is an attempt at a return to the sources after the sum of the additions and the suppressions which returned the French Rite somewhat illegible and especially stripped of its heart. The final version of the French Rite said Groussier will be completed in 1955 under the authority of Paul Chevalier.

In the years 1970, several masons - of which Rene Guilly - in search of the gasoline original of the rite will operate a new attempt in order to reanimate the initiatory character and symbolic system of this one. Their research leads them to the Brésil and it is the Supreme Council of the Modern Rite for Brazil which will grant a license to them in order to draw up the Great French Chapter in 1989. It is the birth of the French Rite known as modern restored ; who will take the name of traditional French Rite . The will to practice these ritual without any later “addition”, without modification nor external influences, made the specificity of this rite. As Roger Girard said, " the specificity of the French rite, it is precisely not to have " of it;. One can thus think that this rite is undoubtedly in conformity with that which was practiced in France in 2nd half of the 18th century.

Practical of the rite

Within obediences

The French Rite is practiced by different maconnic obediences of which the Grand the East of France where it is majority to 80% but also: with the French National Big room, with the Traditional Big room and Symbolic system Operated, with the French National Loge, etc … In 1973, the GODF gave the license of the French Rite to the Female Big room of France.

One finds it under his various denominations and reforms within these obediences of which the French Rite of 1801, Amiable, Groussier, Traditionnel…

Out of the hexagon, the French Rite is diffused in Belgium, with the Brésil, the Netherlands and in Suisse. There exists in a more minority way in other countries, especially those in which the Grand the East of France established cabins.

Degrees

The system of the French Rite is a mode in seven ranks or degrees:

In “ blue cabin ”:

1 Apprentice
2 Companion
3 Master

Four orders :

First order (4th degree): Secret elected official
Second order (5th degree): Large Scottish Elected official
Third order (6th degree): Knight of the East
Fourth order (7th degree): Sovereign Prince Rosicrucian brotherhood, Perfect free Mason, Large commander of the Temple

There exists a fifth Order, envisaged right from the start Rite. This fifth Order is mentioned in the first version of the " Régulateur" in 1801. It is applied with the Grand the East of France, with the French National Big room and the Great Female General Chapter of France. Its principal ritual (on the 80 ritual ones which is subjected to the study of the Masons of this Kind) is very close to that of the 28e degree of the Scottish Rite old and accepted corresponding to the Chevalier of the Sun .

Spirituality

The French Rite is often regarded as the “laic” rite maconnic more in its version applied to the Grand the East of France. The French Rite is in fact most faithful to that of the Big room of London, rite founder of speculative Freemasonry. It perpetuates in particular some fundamental, whose position of the columns J and B, provision of the candlesticks around the carpet of cabin, batteries in 2 short blows and longer), start it right foot, etc… all things that the cabin of the " Anciens" , changed, thereafter.

See too

External bonds and documents

Great French Chapter of the GLNF
Great General Chapter of GOdF
Great Chapter of the High Ranks of the French Rite (Large Prioress of Gaules).

Notes and references of the article

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