The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

Chapter 7 - Rituals 541
Guardian to inform the Worthy Guard outside the door, who has the Tyler's
function, that they are "about to convene" (p. 28).
The ritual of the White Shrine of Jerusalem stages the scene of Christ's birth.
The candidates play the role of sojourners seeking tidings of the new-born king.
On their journey, they meet the three wise men and the shepherds, to whose
lectures they have to listen. The balloting corresponds to the Masonic procedure.
The candidate who has been elected to receive the Degree of the Order of the
White Shrine of Jerusalem before his/her obligation is called a "Stranger," and
after the obligation, "Sojourner" (p. 15). At the beginning of the ceremonial, the
Worthy Guardian is asked by the Worthy High Priestess to retire and see whether
there are candidates in waiting, which the Worthy Guard affirms to him. The
Worthy High Priestess now orders the Worthy Guide to retire to the anteroom to
ask why they seek admission. He at first explains to the candidates the purpose
of the order:
Strangers, the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem is founded on
Christianity and upon the beautiful story of the birth of Jesus Christ in
Bethlehem. The lessons portrayed in the work of our Order are designed
to teach us the Christian principles [...]. (p. 99)
The candidates have to answer several questions, e.g. men have to affirm that
they are Master Masons in good and regular standing, and women have to state
the name of the Master Mason upon whom they base their application, and their
relationship to him. After the Worthy Guide has given his report to the Worthy
High Priestess, the candidates, who "desire to become true followers of the newborn
King" (p. 100, instead of the Masonic "seeking light") are prepared for the
ceremony in the preparation room. When this is done, the Worthy Guide knocks
on the door of the Shrine and announces "Christians who seek tidings of the
new-born King" (p. 102). A soloist sings "There Are Strangers at Our Door,"
while the strangers enter in a single file. They march from the east to the west
aisle, then south, halting in front of the Worthy Chaplain, who invokes the
blessing of the "great and glorious Ruler of the Universe" (p. 104). After this
prayer, which the members answer with "Amen" instead of the Masonic "So
mote it be.", the Worthy Chaplain presents the candidates to the Noble
Prophetess, who welcomes them and presents them to the Worthy High Priestess.
The latter asks the Worthy Shepherdess to conduct the strangers to the sacred
altar to kneel there and assume the obligation. The strangers standing nearest to
the altar place their left hands on the Bible and their right hands over their hearts.
If there are more strangers, the ones behind place their right hands over their
hearts and their left hands on the shoulder of the stranger before them. Having
received the obligation, the "Sojourners" are called to arise. The Worthy
Chaplain explains to them the emblem of the order, which consists of the Star,
the Shepherd's Crook and the Cross. This ceremony reminds us of a Catholic
priest raising the cup and the host: