Appendant & Concordant Bodies
The many and varied appendant and concordant bodies of the York Rite of Freemasonry provide an abundant cornucopia of opportunities for the Zealot Initiate to seek and find further light in Masonry. In general, all of the bodies may be divided into two categories: petitionable bodies and invitational bodies. After becoming a member of one or more of the “main” petitionable bodies, the Symbolic Lodge, the Capitular Chapter, the Cryptic Council, and the Chivalric Commandery, other bodies become possible for further petitioning or for invitation. The bodies have their own requirements, as outlined below and on the linked pages.
Petitionable Bodies
Side Orders are petitionable organizations which the Companion or Sir Knight becomes qualified to join after having been elected and installed to serve as the head of one of the York Rite Bodies. Any Past head of a body may at any time petition.
An High Priest may petition to become a member of:
An Illustrious Master may petition to become a member of:
A Commander may petition to become a member of:
Invitational Bodies
When a Brother, Companion or Sir Knight has served the Craft above and beyond what is accepted as usual, or has shown and interest or disposition on what the group does, he may be solicited to join one of these groups. Each has its own purposes and traditions, rules and regulations, and requirements in order to invite someone. For further information, please click the link or the menu item on the left.
A Master Mason may be invited to become a member of:
A Royal Arch Mason may be invited to become a member of:
- Knight Masons (after 1 year as a RAM)
- Allied Masonic Degrees
- Red Cross of Constantine
A Knight Templar may be invited to become a member of:
- Royal Order of Scotland* (After 5 years as a Master Mason)
- York Rite Sovereign College
A Past Commander may be invited to become a member of:
A Knight Templar (thereby also a Master Mason, Royal Arch Mason and Royal and Select Master) who has successfully served as Worshipful Master of a Symbolic Lodge, High Priest of a Capitular Chapter, Illustrious Master of a Cryptic Council, AND Commander of a Chivalric Commandery may be invited to become a member of:
*A Scottish Rite 32° Master of the Royal Secret may also be invited without Chapter, Council or Commandery affiliation.