Alpha Sigma Tau
Initiation Ritual
Members,
standing, while initiate is being led up the aisle, seated when initiate reaches
altar, repeat Philippians until initiate reaches altar.
Philippians,
8th verse, 4th chapter:
Whatsoever
things are true
Whatsoever
things are honest
Whatsoever
things are just
Whatsoever
things are pure
Whatsoever
things are lovely
Whatsoever
things are of good report,
If
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
Think
on these things.
Charplain:
Proverbs, Chapter 31, Verses 10-31 inclusive OR shorter version verses 10-13,
20, and 25-31.
President:
…, name
of candidate,
you will now answer the following five questions, the first of which
applies to yourself, the second to the sorority, the third to the college, the
fourth to the alumnae organization, and the last to the service of mankind.
1. Do you promise to
try at all times to be true to yourself and to cultivate those characteristics
essential to a vital, well-rounded
personality?
2. Do you promise to
be true always to the purpose and
ideals or the Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority, to
uphold its regulations, and to guard its secrets?
3. Do you promise to
be loyal to the ideals of the college, to observe its standards of scholarship
to the best of your ability?
4. Do you promise
to continue your interest in the Sorority through the alumnae organization after you leave college?
5. Do you promise to
strive earnestly to contribute your share to the progress of
mankind?
Then you may repeat
after me, "I, …, do hereby solemnly promise to defend, uphold, and abide
by the
Constitutions of the Alpha
Sigma Tau Sorority."
By the power vested
in me as president of the chapter of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority, I hereby
pronounce you a member of the Sorority as soon as you have signed the Ritual
Book.
The
Initiate shall be conducted to the Treasurer to receive her seal, yellow rose,
and badge.
President:
As a member of Alpha Sigma tau you are entitled to know its secrets.
Recording
Secretary: The handshake be
understood to be a clasp of the hands with the pressure by the thumb of one hand
upon the knuckle of the ring finger, given and received simultaneously. Demonstrate.
The whistle is …,
the reply is ….
The knock is *
* ***. Demonstrate.
Motto: Let us be slow
to make friends, but having once made them let us pray
that neither life, death, misunderstanding,
distance, nor doubt may come between us to vex our peace.
The meaning of the
pin pointing to
the pin: The shape is the breastplate of womanliness;
The.four points
beginning at the top: Charity, Humility, Self-sacrifice and Aggressiveness.
The pearls, purity.
6. On the shield the
candle signifies service pointing to
shield
the crown signifies
victory
the book signifies
open-mindedness
the anchor signifies
fidelity
the stars signifies
loveliness
7. The meaning of
Alpha Sigma Tau – All Sisters together
8. The password is
Affection, Sincerity, Truth.
The
Candidate signs the Ritual Book and is then conducted to her place at the end of
the line.
President:
You are now full members of the Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority, and to you we extend a
hearty and sincere welcome. Heretofore you have not met with the serious side of
sorority life. The duties will be new to you, but we are sure the aims are not
new. We are striving to develop that which is best in each one of us and bring
about close ties of friendship. Our password conveys the best meaning of our aim
– Affection, Sincerity, Truth.
In taking our
initiation vows, we understand that we assume certain duties. We
are working for the good of the
sorority and in doing that we are working for our own good. Before we undertake
to do anything, we should consider first what effect it will have on the
sorority; for in college, we are responsible not only for ourselves, but also
for every other member and for the good name of all.
When in perplexity or
trouble, our advisers are always ready and anxious to help us.
In conclusion, we
express the hope that you may receive as much from these fraternal ties as we
have. Next year, when many of us have joined the large body of alumnae, we hope
and can wish nothing better than that you will receive as many worthy girls as
we have. May we henceforth all be bound together by the cords of friendship that
strengthen with the year.
May the honor roll of our chapters contain a long list of worthy members
welcomed into the bonds of sisterhood.
Members
repeat plea - 1st Peter, Chapter III Verses 8- 12 (All Stand): Let us all be likeminded, compassionate, loving as sisters,
tender-hearted, humble-minded; not rendering evil for evil, but contrariwise blessing. For he that would
love life and see good days, let him refrain his lips that they speak no guile;
let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and
pursue it.
Members
repeat Creed: As a member of
Alpha Sigma Tau, I believe in the permanence and loveliness of its ideals.
I believe in the
values of friendship and fidelity to
purpose.
I believe in the
fulfillment of self, and will strive to contribute my share to the progress of
mankind.
I believe in
cultivating beauty of spirit and graciousness of living in all my contacts with
others.
I believe that
faithfulness to these ideals will help me to live joyously and valiantly.
Chaplain:
Almighty Father, our Creator
and Peserver,
we invoke Thy blessing upon this
chapter and upon the entire sisterhood. Especially do we ask Thy blessing upon these
dear sisters who have so recently
taken their vows of sisterhood. May we all be faithful to the ideals of our
beloved sorority. Heavenly Father, give us strength to attain these ideals. May
Alpha Sigma Tau represent the sentiment of our hearts and the
practices of our lives. Help us to
live Thy law of
love which bids us "to do unto others as we would they should do unto
us."
ALL
SING Sorority Hymn.