not exactly sure what a TOL is

[widows son]

I'm nit sure that I get the concept. Is it another body? is it regular?

 

[robert leachman]

What does TOL stand for?

 

[Bill Lins]

"Traditional Observance" Lodge.

 

[chrmc]

Think the best place to start looking is at http://traditionalobservance.com/ which has a lot of good info. It's essential a normal lodge, but they try and change the focus on masonry, coming together as brethren and being in lodge a lot from what you often see.

One of their articles have the following info:
This observance is characterized by a solemn approach to holding stated
communications and conferring degrees, the use of the Chamber of Reflection as part of
the initiation ceremony, forming the Chain of Union after the meetings, longer time
between degrees and the requirement for candidates to present a paper before the lodge
on the lessons of each degree prior to advancement. Traditional Observance lodges are
also more likely to use the term Agape rather than Festive Board to describe the meal
which follows the meetings. Agape is the ancient Greek word for “love,” and in
Freemasonry the term signifies a meal eaten in common by a congregation of Masons in
token of Brotherly Love.

 

[widows son]

I see so is there a difference in the degrees? An is it a craft lodge?

 

[Frater Cliff Porter]

Hello Brother,

My name is Cliff Porter and I am the VP of the Masonic Restoration Foundation and a member of a T.O. styled lodge.

All T.O. lodges are regular. We T.O. follows the rules, regulations and ritual of its GL. We do often open by candle light, use uniforms and uniformity of dress, and require silence and meditation in lodge...but the ritual of the prescribed ritual of any GL of which we might be a member.

 

[widows son]

I've been looking up TO lodges. So would you say that TO lodges are trying to preserve the part of masonry that holds true to it roots? Also I'm from Ontario Canada, is there any TO lodges up here m?

 

[Frater Cliff Porter]

The idea behind traditional observance can be defined as upholding the "tradition" of initiation as special, powerful, wonderful and extraordinary. We don't pretend that Masonry is magical in the Harry Potter, sense, but do believe that our special rite of passage can be life changing when given appropriate and proper respect.

I am coming to Onterio to speak next year....btw...so I hope we meet up. Let me do some digging and find a good lodge for you. What city are you near?

 

[widows son]

I'm in welland. So I'm 20 min from Niagara falls and an hour from Toronto

 

[Ratchet]

I find this concept of traditional observance very interesting to me. There is so much in Free Masonry to be discovered & understood that meeting with like- minded Brothers would be so beneficial for furthering my desire for more light. I found there are 2 in Pa. Lodge Ad Lucem No. 812 is located in Pittsburgh. Do these T.O. Lodges allow visitors ? Would like to attend a meeting to find out if this is what I'm looking for.

 

[David Hill]

I recently visited a lodge in San Marcos that operates along the lines of the TO model. It was extremely impressive, and I encourage everyone to visit a TO lodge to experience what Masonry can be. Yeah, I'm a fan!

 

[widows son]

I've been look for TO lodges in my area with no success

 

[Bill Hosler]

I've been look for TO lodges in my area with no success

Brother, maybe you should find some like minded Brethren in your area and start your own TO lodge.

 

[widows son]

Lol that's interesting. What's the procedure?

 

[crono782]

It's a shame there isn't one in fort worth. The dallas TO (Jewel P Lightfoot) lodge sounds excellent. A focus on younger members sounds much more active as well. I'd have to drive 90 minutes at least to get there so it wouldn't work.

 

[JJones]

I didn't know there was a TO lodge so close! still a bit far for me but I thought the nearest lodge that came close was near College Station.

 

[crono782]

You're just south of FW. Start one, hah.

 

[JJones]

We've talked about starting a Masonic club and testing the waters for that very purpose actually. A problem though, the TO concept, from what I understand, advocates small, closely knit lodges and you have to have somewhere around 50+ masons to sign on and charter a new lodge.

There's a lodge nearby that demised some time ago however. I think you need less people to revive a demised lodge but I don't know how many years can go by before that's no longer an option.

 

[Raymond Walters]

We've talked about starting a Masonic club and testing the waters for that very purpose actually. A problem though, the TO concept, from what I understand, advocates small, closely knit lodges and you have to have somewhere around 50+ masons to sign on and charter a new lodge.

There's a lodge nearby that demised some time ago however. I think you need less people to revive a demised lodge but I don't know how many years can go by before that's no longer an option.

Question: is it not at the Grand Master's discretion to issue a dispensation for the purpose you have commented on? I suspect that if a sound plan is put together and presented, that your Grand Master may seriously consider it.

I seem to recall several dormant lodges being revived under the administration of MW Br. Reese Harrison [2004]. I also recall that those revived lodges didn't require 50 members, and many of them met quarterly, as opposed to monthly.

Perhaps you could investigate that and determine how to put a plan together.

Just a thought....

 

[Mac]

I remember speaking to the GS about this two years ago. He indicated that the then-GM and incoming GM both had no intention of resurrecting any old lodges. Maybe that's changed? Never hurts to ask.