Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm

The Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, also known as M.O.V.P.E.R. or The Grotto, after its lodge equivalent, is an appendant body in Freemasonry.[1]

Overview

The Grotto was grown out of informal meetings by members of the Hamilton Lodge #120 in Hamilton, New York, who wished to seek "relaxation from the sterner duties of life by holding occasional informal meetings for fun and good fellowship" and play practical jokes on each other. On September 10, 1889, they decided to formally organize their group as the "Fairchild Deviltry Committee" of FDC, after LeRoy Fairchild, a local store owner and leader of the group. After a number of new branches formed in other localities the FDC formally transformed itself into the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm on June 13, 1890.[2][3][4]

The name of the organization, as well as its principle female auxiliary were derived from Lalla-Rookh by Thomas Moore.[5] [6]

It is a social organization for Master Masons, and as such, all Master Masons are welcome to join. It encourages renewed interest in the Blue Lodges, though it makes no claim to be a part of Symbolic Craft Masonry.[7]

Members are distinguished by a black fez with a red tassel and a Mokanna head in the middle.[8]

For a few years the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm had no official emblem to wear. Word got around that the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets were permitted to wear an emblem that set them apart from others and a black Fez head covering was selected with a Mokanna Head in the center, giving the name of the Grotto. Naturally, this attracted attention. The minutes of a February 26, 1903 stated meeting of Azim Grotto, Bronx, New York states: "Prophet Charles E. Lansing, Past Potent Monarch, after some preliminary remarks, descriptive thereto, presented to those present, a drawing in color of a headgear appropriate for the Order. The same was received with favor and by motion, regularly made and seconded and carried, it was unanimously decided to adopt and wear them on serious and other appropriate occasions." In the minutes of October 29, 1903, it is recorded: "The Potent Monarch reported that the Fez worn by our members was, at the Annual Session of the Supreme Council held at Hamilton, New York on October 20, adopted as the official headgear for all Prophets of the Realm."

Female auxiliaries

A female auxiliary was formed in 1919 called the Daughters of Mokanna. Lodges were called Caldrons, with the national lodge called the "Supreme Caldron," its lodge's chief officer is acknowledged as the "Supreme Mighty Chosen One". Like its male counterpart, the group was involved in charitable activities directed toward cerebral palsy and dentistry for the handicapped. Membership in this auxiliary dropped dramatically in the late 20th century. From 8,000 members in the mid-1960s to 4,822 in 1994[9]

There was also another female auxiliary, the Mysterious Order of the Witches of Salem.[10]

Humanitarian Foundation

At the June 1949 Grottoes of North America meeting, the delegates adopted a resolution to establish a 501(c)3 national charitable program, which was to be named the Humanitarian Foundation. Its first project was "Aid for the Cerebral Palsy Child". Since its inception over $1,000,000 has been contributed to UCP Research.

In 1953 the Enchanted Lantern was adopted as their emblem to represent each contribution of $50 or more that was made, although contributions of any size are gratefully accepted.

In 1969, The Humanitarian Foundation Trustees expanded the scope of the program by adopting the Dental Care for Children with Special Needs program in conjunction with the Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. In 1973, The Extension Program was developed to treat children locally to remove the burden of travel and housing for the parent and child. The Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center and Children's Medical Center in Dallas, Texas are two of our National Treatment Centers.

Today the Humanitarian Foundation, not only remembers the child with Cerebral Palsy with their annual contribution to research, but adds to it the unique partnership with qualified dentists throughout the United States and Canada.

Since 1985 the foundation has paid out $6,734,373 for dentistry alone. Growth in the program and in donations has allowed the majority of those funds, $4,394,729, to be paid out in just the last ten years.

References

  1. ↑ Alan Axelrod International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders New York; Facts on File, inc 1997 p.110
  2. ↑ Axelrod p.110
  3. ↑ HISTORY OF THE GROTTOES OF NORTH AMERICA, M.O.V.P.E.R.
  4. ↑ Frequently Asked Questions
  5. ↑ The Grotto, MasonicDictionary.com, 2007, retrieved 2009-12-15
  6. ↑ Lalla Rookh Caldron, Daughters of Mokanna, Lalla Rookh Grotto, archived from the original on October 31, 2009, retrieved 2009-12-15
  7. ↑ HISTORY OF THE GROTTOES OF NORTH AMERICA, M.O.V.P.E.R.
  8. ↑ SOME OF THE MANY PRIVILEGES OF BEING A GROTTO MEMBER
  9. ↑ Axelrod pp.110-1
  10. ↑ Axelrod p.111

External links

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