Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets - Grotto
Installation Ceremonies
The Grand Monarch says: Prophet Grand Marshal, you will present
the Monarch-elect for installation.
1966
The Grand Marshal presents the Monarch-Elect for installation.
The Grand Monarch says: Previous to your enthronement, the Supreme
Council requires your assent to the following ordinance.
Do you solemnly vow upon your honor:
That you will exert your best endeavor to promote true sympathy and
good-fellowship of your brother Prophets of the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets
of the Enchanted Realm?
That you will endeavor at all times to promote the general good of the Order
and observe the solemnity of the ceremonies with profound respect and reverence?
That you will endeavor to hold two full .form ceremonies yearly?
That you will ever maintain and support the authority of the Supreme Council
and enforce obedience to its Constitution, By-Laws, General Regulations and
Edicts?
Do you subscribe to all these ordinances and promise a cheerful compliance
and practice them faithfully?
After the questions are completed the Monarch-elect will say: I
do.
The Grand Monarch says: You will kneel at the Altar and place your
hands on the Holy Bible.
The Monarch-elect kneels at the Altar.
Obligation
Say, I, pronounce your name in full and repeat after me, do promise and swear
that I will serve this Grotto as its Monarch during the time for which I have
been elected, and will perform all the duties of the office to the best of my
ability;
That I will at all times, and under all circumstances support and maintain
the Constitution and Regulations and obey all the Laws and Edicts of the Supreme
Council of the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, during my
term of office, so help me God.
The Grand Monarch then requests the Monarch to rise, after which he delivers
to him the following charge.
Charge to the Monarch
Prophet it now becomes my duty as Grand Monarch (or, as Special Deputy of the
Grand Monarch) of the Supreme Council of the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of
the Enchanted Realm, to emblematically, place upon your head the Crown of this
Realm, and hail you as Monarch of Grotto.
Your election to this high office by the suffrages of your fellow Prophets,
is sufficient assurance of their confidence in you, and of your fitness for the
position you now hold.
It is hardly necessary for me to instruct you in the duties of your office;
these are clearly stated in the Constitution and Regulations of the Supreme
Council which you have just sworn to support and maintain.
The honor, reputation, and success of your Grotto will materially depend upon
the way you manage its affairs, so see to it that your rulings and decisions are
made with wisdom, with justice, and with equity.
You will now be seated on the Throne.
The Grand Monarch now says: Prophet Grand Marshal, you will
present all the other officers, elective and appointive, for installation.
The officers are then placed in the same position as when taking the
obligation as Veiled Prophets, and take the following obligation.
Obligation
I, …, do promise and swear, that I will serve this Grotto in the office to
which I have been elected (or appointed), during the time for which I have been
elected (or appointed), and will perform all the duties of the office to the
best of my ability;
That I will serve the Monarch loyally, and support him with enthusiasm during
my term of office, so help me God The officers then
rise.
The Grand Monarch then says: Prophet Grand Marshal, you will
present the … elect naming the officer at
his proper station for the charge.
This order should be repeated by the Grand Monarch for each officer in turn.
When the Grand Monarch, or his Deputy, is attended by enough Grand Officers
or Past Monarchs to fill the stations, the charge can be given to each officer
by the respective Grand Officer or Past Monarch, otherwise by the Grand Monarch.
Charge to the Chief Justice
Prophet …, you have been elected Chief Justice of this Grotto by the
suffrages of your fellow Prophets. This is the second highest office in the
Grotto.
It is your duty to assist the Monarch, and in his absence, or at his request,
to preside over the Grotto.
When presiding as Monarch, your powers and responsibilities are the same as
those of the Monarch.
As Chief Justice you are the arbitrator in all questions or controversy. See
to it that your knowledge of the Constitution of the Supreme Council is such
that you are in truth the Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice is then presented with his Fez and conducted to his
station.
Charge to the Master of Ceremonies
Prophet …, you have been elected Master of Ceremonies by the Prophets of
this Grotto. Your office is one of great importance.
It is your duty to see that the ritualistic work of the Grotto is properly
performed, and that nothing vulgar or profane is allowed to mar the harmony of
the work.
You are to determine the credibility of visiting Prophets, and see that all
who enter the Grotto are duly qualified.
In the absence of the Monarch and Chief Justice, or at the request of the
Monarch, you are to preside over the Grotto. When thus presiding, your powers
and responsibilities are the same as those of the Monarch.
The Master of Ceremonies is then presented with his Fez and conducted to his
station.
Charge to the Treasurer
Prophet …, you have been elected Treasurer of this Grotto by your fellow
Prophets, who have thereby manifested in the strongest way possible, their
confidence in your honesty and integrity. It is an honor of which any man may
feel proud.
You are the financial safeguard of the Grotto. See to it that the confidence
reposed in you is as strong when your successor is elected as it is now.
The Treasurer is then presented with his Fez and conducted to his station.
Charge to the Secretary
Prophet …, you have been elected Secretary of this Grotto. It is an office
which requires special qualifications for success.
In the amount and variety of the work which he has to do, and in the demands
to which he has to respond, a good Secretary is second to no other officer in
any organization.
You are undoubtedly familiar with the duties of your office. May you always
perform them so as to merit the commendation of your fellow Prophets.
The Secretary is then presented with his Fez and conducted to his station.
Charge to the Chaplain
You have been appointed to the most revered office in all of Masonry. You are
to give the Invocation at our meetings, visit and pray for the sick and
afflicted, and assist at our memorial services. The Holy Bible we trust to your
care, guard it with all your might, for it holds for us precious teachings of
freedom, and truth, and light.
The Chaplain is then presented with his Fez and conducted to his station,
Charge to the Venerable Prophet
To be given by the Grand Monarch: Prophet …, you have the
distinguished honor of being the Venerable Prophet of this Grotto.
YOU SHOULD BECOME PROFICIENT IN THE OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES, so that
you could relieve any of the officers if called upon.
Also be ready at all times to carry out any order of your superior officers.
The Venerable Prophet is then presented with his Fez and conducted to his
station.
Charge to the Marshal
Prophet …, you have been (elected or) appointed Marshal of this Grotto. You
are the special Messenger of the Monarch, and as such you are to assist him in
opening and closing the Grotto. At the request of the Chief Justice you are to
command the Captain of the Guard, and the Sentinel to take up the inside and
outside passwords. You are to take charge of all processions and generally
assist the other officers in the discharge of their duties.
The Marshal is then presented with his Fez and conducted to his station.
Charge to the Captain of the Guard
Prophet …, you have been appointed Captain of the Guard of this Grotto. You
are the special messenger of the Chief Justice. You are to see that all who
enter the Grotto are duly qualified, and entitled to enter.
You are to receive the inside password from the Prophets, when requested to
do so by your Chief, and perform such other duties as may be required of you by
your superior officers.
The Captain off the Guard is then presented with his Fez and conducted to his
station.
Charge to the Sentinel
Prophet …, you have been appointed Sentinel of this Grotto. It is a
position of great responsibility. You are to receive the outside password from
all Prophets who enter the Grotto, and see that all have their annual dues card,
Visiting Prophets, unknown to you, should be reported to the Master of
Ceremonies, and admitted only when avouched by him.
Guard well the outer borders of our Realms.
The Sentinel is then presented with his Fez and conducted to his station.
Proclamation of Installation
The Prophets should now be called up (three blows of
the gavel), and remain standing during the proclamation.
The Grand Monarch then says: Grand Marshal of the Realm, make the
usual proclamation.
The Grand Marshal then says: In the name of the Supreme Council of
the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, and by the order of
the Grand Monarch, I now declare the officers of … Grotto, elective and
appointive, duly installed.