Constitution of LuzViMinda Lodge No. 317
On July 7, 2007,
138 Masons witnessed the Grand Lodge, in an ancient and solemn ceremony,
constitute LuzViMinda Lodge No. 317. Non-masons in attendance added
to the headcount of over 275 people, who partook of the ethnic dish after the
formalities in the lodge room. This new “ethnic” lodge was formed by 20
Filipino-American Masons and one all-American Mason of the jurisdiction, in
November 2005. Its name LuzViMinda is the acronym of the three main
islands in the
Members of LVM 317 proudly presented themselves before the Grand Lodge that afternoon. The officers were installed into their respective stations. The original 21 members are now joined by 42 other brothers who affiliated as plural members, by 4 Master Masons raised by the lodge and by 3 honorary members.
The requirements for chartering by the Grand Lodge were challenging tasks for its members. However, with genuine enthusiasm, the motivation, the commitment and the active participation - the members are proud but humble to state:
1. LVM 317 was able to put up degree labors for four candidates without the benefit of importing participants from other lodges. One or two non-members requested participation due to their affinity with the candidate. A fifth candidate for MM was raised by courtesy.
2. All LVM 317 candidates were obligated separately after two months of instructions and prior to receiving the next higher degree. This is the culture that the organizers would like institutionalized. It has its reasons: (a) make the candidate feel important as an individual; (b) to operationalize the phrase “wait a time with patience”; and (c) give the non-Past Masters a chance to shine by involving them in all facets of the degree labor - from delivering the working tools and the charges, to obligating the candidate.
3. LVM 317 has eight members who can deliver the lecture/s of one or more of the three degrees.
4. LVM 317 was successfully able to put up an emergent funeral degree team to honor a deceased Filipino brother.
5. LVM 317 has a pool of in-house presenters who are assigned Masonic and non-Masonic topics.
6. The Deputy Grand Master, the Grand Senior Warden, the Grand Junior Warden and the Grand junior Deacon are charter members of the lodge. There are 13 committeemen and two current District Deputies of the Grand Master in its ranks.
7. LVM 317 has a special hymn to welcome
visiting dignitaries: The “Mabuhay Hymn” - which is an adaptation of the
traditional hymn for VIPs in the
8. LVM 317 does not recruit individuals or Masons to join the lodge in particular. It is the practice of its members to offer the interested parties to check on blue lodges that are close to their homes or workplaces. Plural petitioners are advised to check other lodges before “signing up” with LVM 317.