Through the Key Hole - RoseCroix.org.au

65
110
There was a society called HUNG, or “ The Brotherhood of
Heaven and Earth”. (1) This can be traced back to 386 AD. It had a
Supreme Grand Master, a Senior and a Junior Warden, and many
subordinate lodges.
In the lodge ceremonies, the initiate knelt at the altar, with the Senior
and Junior Wardens kneeling at his right and left, each holding
a sword overhead to form a right angle over the candidate.
The lecture given by the Worshipful Master taught that all are
equal, that they must live uprightly and justly, that they must help a
brother in distress, preserve his secrets, respect the chastity of his
wife, and that they must obey the Worshipful Master. The three
great principles of the Hung Lodge were Brotherly Love, Relief and
Truth.
THE POPE WHO WAS A FREEMASON
By Keith Stockley
The following article appeared in the PRETORIA NEWS (South Africa)
on 21 July 1923 ( over 80 years ago).
“There passed away on Thursday, at 52 Oak Avenue, Premier Mine,
an interesting old lady, Mrs Louisa Marie Frances Pitchers (Born Windsor)
at the age of 79 years. Born in Kensington, London she came to
Grahamstown at the age of 15. There she met her first husband, Mr
McLachlan, with whom she went to America. He died there leaving
two children and his widow who returned to Grahamstown after spending
some time in England.
On her return she met her cousin John Pitchers with whom she later
married at Aliwal North. After some time at this place she came to
Kimberley where she witnessed the battles of Modder River and Magersfontein,
the farm on which Mr & Mrs Pitchers lived being situated
on the drift to Jacobsdal.
On leaving Kimberley she dwelt in Johannesburg and came to the
Premier Mine property in 1908. She was a cousin to Sir Thomas
Cullinan besides being an aunt of his by marriage. She is survived by
three sons and three daughters.
The deceased was buried with a rosary sent to her by Pope Pius IX
in 1866. It is of interest to know how she came by it.
Her brother, on being admitted to Freemasonry, was excommunicated
by the Catholic Church. She wrote to the Pope to remove
this ban and was successful in her efforts. In his answer Pope
Pius IX admitted that he himself was a Mason and he sent her the
rosary and a bible, and ordered restitution to be given to Mr Windsor
by the church.”
I have actually seen the original of this news clipping BUT is this sufficient
to say emphatically that Pope Pius IX was indeed a Freemason?