MASONIC SOCIETAS ROSICRUCIANA IN CIVITATIBUS FOEDERATIS

(As amended through February 10, 2011)

NOW, in consequence with the provisional Act of Constitution of April, 1880, and Affirmative Act September 21, 1880, the Amendments passed subsequently, The High Council does hereby, in the exercise of its functions and its powers, ordain the following:

THE HIGH COUNCIL

Section 1. TITLE. The supreme governing body of the Society of Rosicrucians shall be styled THE HIGH COUNCIL MASONIC SOCIETAS ROSICRUCIANA IN CIVITATIBUS FOEDERATIS and declares itself entirely independent, established on its own basis; and as a Society is in no wise connected with any other institution, saving and excepting that its members shall be selected from Master Masons in good and regular standing.

Section 2. CONVOCATIONS. The High Council shall hold Annual Convocations at such time and place as the Supreme Magus shall determine, and Special Convocations at his call.

Section 3. COMPOSITION OF THE HIGH COUNCIL. The High Council shall be composed of all members of the Third Order (VIII° Grade and IX° only).

Section 4. OFFICERS. The elected officers of the High Council shall be the Supreme Magus, Senior Deputy Supreme Magus, Junior Deputy Supreme Magus, Treasurer General and Secretary General. The following officers shall be appointed by the three ""Ruling Magi"" (ie. Supreme Magus, Senior Deputy Supreme Magus, and Junior Deputy Supreme Magus):

• 1 First Ancient 
• 2 Second Ancient 
• 3 Third Ancient 
• 4 Fourth Ancient 
• 5 Fifth Ancient 
• 6 Sixth Ancient 
• 7 Seventh Ancient 
• 8 Preceptor 
• 9 Conductor of Novices 
• 10 Director of Ceremonies 
• 11 Torch Bearer 
• 12 Medallist 
• 13 Guardian of the Caverns 
• 14 First Herald
• 15 Second Herald
• 16 - Third Herald
• 17 - First Acolyte
• 18 - Second Acolyte
• 19 - Third Acolyte
• 20 - High Prelate
• 21 - Editor
• 22 - Cyber Director
• 23 - Director of Foreign Relations
• 24 - Archivist
• 25 - Legal Counsel
• 26 - Director of Music

Section 5. ELECTIONS. The Supreme Magus, Senior Deputy Supreme Magus, Junior DeputySupreme Magus, Treasurer General and Secretary General shall be elected triennially. Should vacancies occur due to death, resignation or other inability of an incumbent to serve his elected term, the Supreme Magus shall fill such vacancy by appointment for the remainder of the term of office to which appointed.

Section 6. ELIGIBILITY TO HOLD OFFICE. Any member who has attained the Eighth Grade is eligible to hold office in the High Council.

Section 7. VOTE and VOICE. All members of the High Council shall have one (1) vote only and voice in the routine matters coming before it, provided, that the Ritual and matters of Specificity shall be solely and exclusively within the purview and under the control of the three Ruling Magi.

Section 8. QUORUM. Five (5) members of the High Council, including at least one (1) of the three Ruling Magi, shall constitute a Quorum of the High Council.

Section 9. TITLES. Members of the Society shall be known as Fraters and shall be recognized by the following titles:

• Most Worthy: Supreme Magus
• Right Worthy: Ninth and Eighth Grades
• Very Worthy: Celebrants and Suffragans of Colleges
• Worthy: All others from First through Seventh Grades

Section 10. NINTH GRADE. The Supreme Magus, Senior Deputy Supreme Magus, Junior Deputy Supreme Magus, Treasurer General and Secretary General and Chief Adept of a College shall be elevated to the Grade of Magus by virtue of the offices held by them. All Grades shall be ad vitam and therefore shall not cease should an office incumbent cease to hold office.

Section 11. POWER TO VISIT. Any of the three Ruling Magi shall have the right to visit and inspect all Colleges.

Section 12. RULING MAGI VACANCIES. Should vacancies occur in the office of Senior Deputy Supreme Magus or Junior Deputy Supreme Magus, or both on account of death, resignation, removal from the jurisdiction, or other cause, such vacancy or vacancies thereby created shall be filled by the remaining portion of the triennial term by a majority vote of the High Council at its first Convocation thereafter, Annual or otherwise. In the case of a vacancy in the office of Supreme Magus, the Senior Deputy Supreme Magus, by virtue of his office and rank, shall immediately succeed to the office of Supreme Magus, with all the rights, powers, and privileges, thereunto belonging; and in like manner the Junior Deputy Supreme Magus shall thereupon succeed as Senior Deputy Supreme Magus. A Supreme Magus thus created shall complete the triennial term of his predecessor and may be elected to a triennial term of his own. He shall serve until his successor is elected and installed in office

Section 13. EMERITUS MEMBERS. Emeritus Membership may be granted when a member is no longer able to attend due to no fault of his own. Emeritus Membership shall not exceed ten (10) per college. Emeritus Membership shall not be counted against the membership limitation but they are subject to per capita dues and assessments and shall be included in the Annual Report the High Council. Emeritus Members will not hold office in a College.

Section 14. HONORARY MEMBERS. Honorary Membership may be conferred by the Supreme Magus upon distinguished Fraters of other Rosicrucian Societies recognized by the High Council.

Section 15. GRADE DESIGNATIONS. Full membership in any grade shall be designated by Roman Numerals following the name. Honorary Membership shall be designated by Arabic Numerals following the name. Such numerals shall be followed by the degree mark (°).

Section 16. EXPENDITURES. No contract to bind the High Council for the payment of funds of the High Council shall be entered into unless approved by the Supreme Magus or by the affirmative vote of The High Council. The Treasurer General shall honor for payment all bills approved by the Supreme Magus or, which the contract is approved by the High Council, by the Secretary General.

Section 17. SEE AND OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. The See of the Society shall be at the City of Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America, and all printed official documents shall emanate from said City: Provided that the Supreme Magus may, in his discretion, issue Edicts, Decrees, and other documents from his place of residence.

Section 18. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE SUPREME MAGUS. The Supreme Magus, together with the Senior and Junior Deputy Supreme Magus, Treasurer General and Secretary General shall form the Executive Head of the Society in its Jurisdiction. The Supreme Magus shall preside over all Convocations of the High Council, and at his pleasure, over all Colleges of the Society which he shall favor with his presence.

He shall have power to call Special Convocations of the High Council, specifying the business before it, he shall be punctilious in observing that the Constitution and Edicts are strictly executed. He may issue Dispensations for the organization of Colleges during the recess of the High Council, to be returned at the succeeding Annual Convocation, at which time the High Council may issue a Charter.

The Supreme Magus, may, at his pleasure, create members of the Masonic Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis at sight, regardless of where they may reside. Such members will immediately become members of the Supreme Magus College

Section 19. DUTY OF THE SENIOR DEPUTY SUPREME MAGUS AND JUNIOR DEPUTY SUPREME MAGUS. The Senior Deputy Supreme Magus and the Junior Deputy Supreme Magus shall assist the Supreme Magus in an executive capacity. During any temporary absence from the Country or inability of the Supreme Magus to discharge the duties of his office, the Senior Deputy Supreme Magus shall act, and in the absence or inability of both aforesaid officers, Junior Deputy Supreme Magus shall assume the duties incumbent thereupon.

Section 20. DUTY OF THE TREASURER GENERAL. The Treasurer General shall submit at each Annual Convocation of the High Council, a general and detailed account of all monies received and disbursed by him. He shall faithfully keep the funds received into his custody in a bank account in the name of the Society, and pay out such monies only upon approval by the Supreme Magus, or by the Secretary General in payment of an appropriation by the High Council.

Section 21. DUTY OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL. The Secretary General shall keep a record of all the work, deliberations, and transactions of the High Council, and transcribe the same in a book kept for this purpose. He shall keep a copy of all let and communications emanating from the High Council, and attest and seal, as the case may be, every order, mandate, or act of that Body. Every diploma, Brief, or Letters Patent issued by the High Council shall be attested by his signature and the Seal of the High Council. He shall furnish all Colleges in the jurisdiction with a blank return form in duplicate four (4) weeks before June 30 each year. He shall receive all monies due the High Council and transmit the same to the Treasurer General. He shall be the custodian of the Archives.

Section 22. THE DUTIES OF THE ANCIENTS. In addition to their ceremonial duties, the Ancients shall act as aides to the Supreme Magus, Senior Deputy Supreme Magus, Junior Deputy Supreme Magus, Treasurer General and Secretary General.

Section 23. DUTIES OF OTHER OFFICERS. The other officers shall discharge such ceremonial duties pertaining to the constitution of Colleges, installation of officers, and conferring Grades on Proper occasions.

Section 24. DECLARATIONS. All Declarations and Proclamations shall commence with the words, In the Name I. N. R. I.

Section 25. POWER TO CONFER GRADES. The High Council reserves unto itself the right to confer any of the Grades of the Society; It may delegate that right to any Frater of the Third Order to be exercised in countries where no College has been founded or exists, and in the States and Territories of the United States, for the purpose of establishing Bodies of the Society. When the High council is in recess these powers may be exercised by the Supreme Magus.

Section 26. REVENUES. The Revenues of the High Council shall be as follows:

The Supreme Magus shall have the authority to lower or dispense with per capita payments for any year if he shall deem it expedient.

Section 27. DISPENSATIONS FOR ELECTIONS. If for any cause the Annual Convocation or election in a College has not been held on or before June 30 in each year, the Supreme Magus may grant a dispensation for lawfully convening and holding an elect to correct such failure.

COLLEGES

Section 28. TITLES AND JURISDICTION. Subordinate organizations in this Society shall be known as Colleges of which not more than one (1) shall be located in each State or Territory or other political subdivision of similar nature without the consent and approval of the College or Colleges already therein existing

Section 29. ORGANIZATION. For the organization of a College of the Society, three (3) Fraters of the Seventh Grade, in good standing must petition the High Council, through the Supreme Magus, for a Charter. If the High Council is not in Convocation, the Supreme Magus may issue a Dispensation, which shall be effective until the first Convocation of the High Council thereafter. The fee prescribed by this Constitution must accompany the petition.

Section 30 OFFICERS. The College shall be styled and take rank as follows:

• 1 - Chief Adept
• 2 - Celebrant
• 3 - Suffragan
• 4 - Treasurer
• 5 - Secretary
• 6 - First Ancient
• 7 - Second Ancient
• 8 - Third Ancient
• 9 - Fourth Ancient
• 10 - Conductor of Novices
• 11 - Organist
• 12 - First Herald
• 13 - Second Herald
• 14 - Torch Bearer
• 15 - Guardian of the Caverns
• 16 - Medalist
• 17 - Acolyte
• 18 Librarian (optional)
• 19 - Prelate

The Chief Adept is appointed by the Supreme Magus, upon his installation, for a three (3) year term, after which he shall tender his resignation. He may be re-appointed by the next Supreme Magus for another three (3) year term, but not to exceed nine (9) years total. He is subject to removal by the same power or by The High Council. The Celebrant, Suffragan, Secretary, Treasurer and four Ancients shall be elected each year at the Annual Convocation by ballot, and a majority of votes cast shall constitute election.

The Chief Adept shall appoint the remaining officers. All officers, if possible, shall be inducted into office the day of the election. To be eligible for office a Frater must have attained the Fourth Grade. All officers shall hold their respective offices until their successors are elected and installed.

Section 31. MEMBERSHIP LIMIT. A College, in conformity with History of the Society and ancient usage, shall consist of not more than seventy-two (72) members who shall have voice and vote in the matters pertaining to the College, so far as such matters pertain to the ranks of the Frater. DUAL MEMBERSHIP IS NOT ALLOWED.

Section 32. CANDIDATES. No Aspirant shall be admitted to membership in a College unless he be of the Christian faith, a Master Mason in good standing, of good moral character, intelligent and possessing a mind free from prejudice and anxious for instruction. A unanimous ballot is necessary for an election.

Section 33. THE THREE ORDERS. Colleges shall be empowered to confer the four Grades of the FIRST ORDER, which are ZELATOR (Io), THEORICUS (II o), PRACTICUS (III o), PHILOSOPHUS (IV o) and also the three Grades of the SECOND ORDER, which are ADEPTUS MINOR (V o), ADEPTUS MAJOR (VI o), and ADEPTUS EXEMPTUS (VII o). The two Grades of the THIRD ORDER, which are the MAGISTER TEMPLI (VIII o) and MAGIS (IX o), are official Grades and conferred only by the Supreme Magus or with his written permission SEALED by the Secretary General.

Section 34. QUORUM Not less than Five (5) shall constitute a quorum in the First Order and not less than Three (3) in the Second Order.

Section 35. CONVOCATIONS Each College shall hold an Annual Convocation prior to June 30. A collation at the Annual Convocation is obligatory.

Section 36. MOTTO Every Frater shall, on admission into this College, choose a Latin motto which will be registered with the Secretary-General by the Secretary of the College with the Annual return. Should it appear that the motto is already chosen by a living Frater in this College, another must be selected. After the motto is once registered by the Secretary-General it shall not afterwards be changed under any pretext.

Section 37. FEES. The minimum fee for conferring the Grades of the first two Orders shall be not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), however a College may impose a greater fee if approved by the High Council.

Section 38. RIGHTS OF ADVANCEMENT Candidates elected to the First or the Second Order shall be entitled to all the Grades of such Order.

Section 39. SUPREME MAGUS COLLEGE. Supreme Magus College is designated as a holding College for States and Territories where no College exists. The Supreme Magus is the Chief Adept and the Secretary General is the Secretary. Dues and Fees for membership are set at the will and pleasure of the Supreme Magus, but cannot be lower than the minimum set by statute. All members of the Order made at sight become members of the Supreme Magus College, regardless of where they reside. Supreme Magus College has no membership limit.

DUTIES OF OFFICERS OF COLLEGES

Section 40. CHIEF ADEPT. He shall have the general superintendence of all affairs pertaining to the College; he shall preside at all convocations thereof. He shall appoint all committees, and be ex-officio, chairman of same. He shall discharge all the duties prescribed for him by the Constitution, Ordinances, Regulations, Rituals and usages of the Order. In his absence, the Celebrant shall preside, and thereupon have equal authority as if he were Chief Adept, subject to appeal to the Chief Adept and The High Council. The presiding officer may convene the College at any time he may deem necessary.

Section 41. CELEBRANT AND SUFFRAGAN They shall respectively discharge the several duties prescribed for them in the rituals of the Order. In the absence of the Chief Adept and Celebrant, the Suffragan shall preside.

Section 42. TREASURER He shall receive into his custody all funds, and pay them out only upon a written warrant signed by the Secretary and countersigned by the Chief Adept or subject to such specific regulations adopted by the College. His accounts shall be audited by Ancients.

Section 43. SECRETARY. He shall convene the College by written notification to all the Fraters at least ten (10) days prior to the Convocation date. He shall submit to the Fraters the names of all aspirants for their scrutiny. He shall keep the minutes of the College, register all of the members, their mottoes, and dates of admission to each Grade, and receive all fees, dues and subscriptions, and pay it over to the Treasurer, taking his receipt for the same. His accounts shall be audited at the Annual Convocation by the Ancients. He shall, within ten (10) days after the Annual Convocation, transmit a certificate of the election of the Officers of the College to the Secretary-General of The High Council, with the post office address of the Presiding Officer and Secretary. He shall prepare an annual return to The High Council, in duplicate, embracing the transactions for the fiscal year ending the 30th day of June, and shall state the Latin motto for each new Frater. One copy shall be forwarded to the Secretary-General on or before the first day of August in each year and the other shall be filed in the records of the College. He shall act under the direction of the Chief Adept.

Section 44. FOUR ANCIENTS They shall assist their superiors in all matters of ritual and ceremony, and instruct their Fraters in the science and philosophy of Rosicrucianism.

Section 45. CONDUCTOR OF NOVICES He shall examine and prepare all Aspirants and conduct them in accordance with the forms of the ritual.

Section 46. FIRST AND SECOND HERALDS They shall have charge of the ballot, and otherwise generally assist the Conductor of Novices, as provided in the ritual and ceremonies; and see that proper silence and order are observed, and the caverns protected from the unworthy.

Section 47. GUARDIAN OF THE CAVERNS He shall have charge of the entrances of the caverns, and a general supervision of the Acolyte in his relation thereto. The duty of tiling the several Orders must be strictly enforced.

Section 48. ACOLYTE. He shall act as outer guard, under the immediate direction of the Celebrant, through the Guardian of the Caverns. He shall likewise have the care of all properties, paraphernalia and furniture of the College, and shall set them forth and remove the same as occasion may require and as directed by the Celebrant.

Section 49. OTHER OFFICERS. Other officers shall discharge their duties in accordance with the Ritual.

Section 50. DISCIPLINE All Fraters of the Society of Rosicrucians shall be amenable to the Colleges to which they severally belong. Any member disciplined may appeal to The High Council within six (6) months, where the sentence may be revised; pending such final action, the penalty awarded by the College shall remain in full force and effect. Any College within the State shall have jurisdiction over a non-affiliate residing in such State.

Section 51. COLLEGE DISSOLUTION. If any College be temporarily interdicted or permanently dissolved, the officers thereof shall forthwith deposit their Dispensation or Charter, Ordinances, Regulations and all manuscripts and printed papers, moneys and properties appertaining to the College, with the Secretary-General, that the same may be deposited in the archives of The High Council for safe-keeping, the monies deposited in the Society's treasury.

Section 52. JURISDICTION. A College cannot lawfully receive an application from a candidate residing within the jurisdiction of another College without consent therefrom, and any action without first obtaining such consent shall be void.

Aspirants residing in States or Territories in which no College has been formed shall be under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Magus College, and no College may receive applications from such aspirants without first obtaining a written waiver of jurisdiction issued through the Secretary of Supreme Magus College by the Supreme Magus at his pleasure.

A candidate rejected by a College having jurisdiction over him may not be received in another College. No College or Frater shall recognize as a Rosicrucian any person who resides without the jurisdiction of The High Council, who shall hereafter, while so residing, receive the Grades in some other Jurisdiction, without have first obtained the consent of the Supreme Magus.

Section 53. ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS. Colleges may form and adopt Ordinances and Regulations for their government not inconsistent with the Constitution, Regulations and Rituals adopted by the High Council, but a copy of all such Ordinances and Regulations must upon their adoption, forthwith be filed with the Secretary General for examination and approved by the Supreme Magus. The governing laws of Colleges must be by Ordinance or by Regulation.

Section 54. HONORS. The rank and title of Knight Grand Cross, the highest award of The High Council may be conferred under the following regulations:

• A. The Supreme Magus shall be entitled to the rank and title of Knight Grand Cross and shall be invested with said rank and title immediately following his enthronement as Supreme Magus.
• B. It may be conferred upon such other distinguished Brethren as the Supreme Magus may approve.