~ The French Rite of Adoption ~
By Gerald (Jerry) L. Carver
Senior Grand Warden
May 2004
As I have read about the history of the Brethren down through centuries, I
have always been fascinated with the different traditions, and ceremonies
adopted by Brothers of long ago in supporting, aiding, and assisting a Brother
Mason and his family. I recently obtained an 1849 Edition of the book “The
Mystic Tie”. “The Mystic Tie” was written by Illustrious and Right Worshipful
Brother Albert G. Mackey, M.D. a renowned Masonic author and a Past Grand
Secretary of our own Grand Lodge. There are numerous historical accounts given
in “The Mystic Tie” of Brothers coming to the aid of another Brother or his
family.
There is a particular account given in “The Mystic Tie” of a certain Lodge
ceremony, which was being performed in France at the time of the book’s
publication in 1849 that formalized the commitment of the Brothers of a Lodge to
the infant son of a Brother of their Lodge. This ceremony was called the Rite of
Adoption. The son of a Mason who had this Rite conferred upon him was referred
to as a “Lowton” in French or a “Lewis” in English.
According to Mackey, upon hearing that the wife of a member of their Lodge was
with child, the Brethren of the Lodge would designate a representative,
generally a Physician, who would visit the expectant mother at her home, inquire
about her heath and needs, and offer medical or other assistance. Nine days
after the Child was born, the Worshipful Master and the Wardens of the Lodge
would pay the mother a visit and give congratulations. If the child was a boy,
the Lodge would hold a Special Communication for the purpose of the ceremony of
adoption. The Lodge was opened on the Entered Apprentice Degree. The Lodge room
was decorated with flowers, leaves, and pots of incense for the occasion. At the
Special Communication, the nurse would bring the Baby Boy to the ante-room of
the Lodge where the Wardens, who had previously been appointed by the Lodge as
God-fathers for the child, would retire to the ante-room, receive the infant
from the nurse, and bring the Baby Boy into the tiled Lodge.
During the ceremony of adoption, the Brethren would give the baby a Masonic name
such as Truth, Devotion, Benevolence, etc. The Wardens as sponsors for the Baby
Boy would repeat the obligations of an Entered Apprentice on his behalf. The
infant was presented with a white apron and proclaimed as an adopted son of that
particular Lodge. The members of the Lodge were charged with watching over the
welfare and education of the child and with assisting in establishing him in a
vocation at the proper time. A certificate was then issued in the name of the
Baby Boy, which permitted him to petition a Lodge three years earlier than the
legal age of 21. This certificate was given to the father for safe keeping.
Mackey indicated that the Rite of Adoption was not being practiced by Lodges in
the Grand Jurisdictions of the United States with the exception of some
insolated incidences where some Louisiana Lodges with a large French influence
had performed the Rite.
This account of the Rite of Adoption reflects the extent to which the Brothers
of that period in France would go in looking after one another and their
families. As I read about the commitment of those French Brothers to look after
a brother’s infant son, I reflected on the commitment that we as Masons today
should also have to help one another and our families.
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