Grand Council

A Council of Royal and Select Masters is the third York Rite body that a member joins. It is often referred to as “Cryptic Masonry” and is the    last body where degrees are conferred in the York Rite system of instruction. The Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of New Mexico chooses allegiance to the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International.

The Council gives the Candidate the links between the allegorical teachings of the preceding degrees and focuses on fulfillment of the promise of understanding that comes with “right work”. A member must be a Royal Arch Mason in order to receive these degrees. The New Mexico Councils provide all three of the Cryptic Degrees, but require only two:

• The Royal Master
• The Select Master

The Super Excellent Master is given intermittently over years, and Royal and Select Masters are encouraged to receive this degree when it is available.