WHAT IS ROYAL ARCH MASONRY?
Royal Arch Masonry is not a religion and does not endeavor to fix ones conception of God. Royal Arch Masonry regards your religious belief as your own; it does not attempt to influence your belief. It only asks that you have a belief. The motto of the Royal Arch is "Holiness To The Lord" and ever reminds us of the reverence due the Great and Beneficient Author of our existence, who is a Being without beginning of days or ending of years.
A Royal Arch Mason holds firm to the belief in the Brotherhood of Man, the Fatherhood of God, and the Immortality of the Human Soul in high regard. He, therefore, who is a member knows that in his travels around the world he will be welcome and greeted with hospitality and friendship.
A Royal Arch Mason is taught to practice and espouse toleration for men and to become brothers in deed. Through active membership one obtains those things to which Royal Arch Masons aspire --companionship--brotherhood--opportunity for service in humanity's name. A Royal Arch Mason is taught to continually attempt to build with Plumb, Square and Level, that Temple of Character which is the great goal of our gentle Craft.
The Royal Arch Mason is the heart, root, backbone and marrow of Freemasonry.
CAPITULAR DEGREES
Having completed your degrees in Symbolic Masonry (Blue Lodge), your next step in advancing in York Rite Masonry is the Chapter of Capitular Degrees.
Royal Arch Masonry is said to have derived its origin from the original Masonic Degrees and traditions.
The local Chapter is under the jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter of Michigan. There are some 76 active Chapters in Michigan, located throughout the lower and upper peninsulas, with a present membership of about 8,000 companions. The General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons International and the Grand Chapter of all the states (except three) and several foreign jurisdictions are affiliated, the largest Masonic group under one head to be found anywhere in the world. It has a membership of about 650,000 members.
