In October of 2023, as the sitting Worshipful Master of Porter Lodge, I found myself embarking on an all-day degree in South Bend. Prior to this, my opinion of all-day degrees was fairly conventional: a necessary tool for extenuating circumstances—for brothers who were infirm, preparing for military service, or facing other significant limitations. We had just such a brother, Dylan, who had recently turned 18 and was slated to join the Marine Corps. I was entirely on board with ensuring he could enter the Marine Corps under the protective umbrella of our Masonic fraternity.
What I didn't fully grasp then was the profound impact an all-day degree could have beyond basic Masonic education. That morning, my Junior Warden, Ian, drove the car as we picked up another brother who had been in and out of the fraternity and had yet to complete his journey to Master Mason. I hadn't spent much time with this quiet brother, often seeing him sitting by himself around the lodge. As we drove, I discovered he was not only incredibly intelligent but also deeply in need of the camaraderie and support our fraternity offers. Sometimes, all a person needs is to know we're genuinely there for them, and this day proved to be just that for him. Years later, he remains a functioning member of the lodge, a connection that might not have solidified had we not "dragged him kicking and screaming" to that all-day degree. Freemasonry is undeniably better for it.
Dylan, the soon-to-be Marine, served as the exemplar for the Entered Apprentice degree. I was pleased with this, as I believe the initiatory degrees of Masonry should be experienced individually and "in full effect," with all the proper trappings and ritual intact. We were able to go through this with him as the exemplar, allowing him to experience the initiatory rituals of the Entered Apprentice degree precisely as I would have wished him to be initiated.
The Unseen Hand of Brotherhood
The room was filled with the "who's who" of Freemasonry in Northwest Indiana—from Denny Davis to Jim Marion—all the individuals I look up to and aspire to emulate. Though I usually relish performing ritual work and was a little sad not to participate, I had the privilege of sitting on the sidelines. We always tell brothers, no matter how many times you've witnessed a degree, it's always worthwhile to watch; you're bound to gain something new. And indeed, I did.
Despite having sat in the East as Worshipful Master and performed these degrees from almost every station, this day was a profound learning experience. There were moments when someone had mobility issues, or a brother needed to be in a different place, or someone was unexpectedly late. The brothers putting on the degree had to adapt on the fly. At Porter Lodge, we pride ourselves on a high standard for degree work, and witnessing the adaptability that day was astonishing. People moved from practiced seats to unfamiliar ones, yet if you hadn't known, you wouldn't have noticed a single hitch. Every brother, regardless of their last-minute seating change, was as proficient as if they had practiced for months. It was truly beautiful to behold the seamlessness.
Education and Imperfection
One of the unique aspects of this all-day degree was that at certain points, Brother Denny Davis paused to elaborate on the Masonic education pertinent to the section. This isn't typical for our standard degree work, but in the all-day format, it offered a richer experience. He would stop and explain "why we do that" or "what this means," leading to genuine questions from candidates and brothers alike. This interactive element, though different from our usual ritual delivery, certainly enriched the understanding for all present and deepened the experience. It entirely shifted my opinion; the all-day degree is a thoroughly valid and valuable method of Masonic instruction.
Beyond the educational pauses, the quality of the ritual work was astounding, especially considering the impromptu adjustments. Occasionally, a word or two might be missed, but only a seasoned ritualist like myself would notice. This demonstrated a critical lesson: a room full of experienced Masons simply moved on when a minor slip occurred, just as many of my Masonic heroes have always advised. The degrees were seamless, and to all apparent eyes, flawless, from the three degrees themselves to the lectures.
The Essence of Freemasonry
What truly shone through that day was the powerful synergy of brothers working in unison. The meticulous organization of registration, the smooth execution of the degree work, the perfect timing, and even getting lunch together—everything flowed so effortlessly it appeared an easy feat. Speaking with the organizers afterward, I learned it was anything but simple, yet they made it look that way.
All the core tenets of Freemasonry were exemplified that day: being there for a brother in their time of need, the importance of Masonic education, and understanding that alternative approaches to our traditions can be equally valid. It proved that ritual work can be amazing when everyone is united and understands their part, even if it's not letter-perfect. It taught me that a minor mistake doesn't need to be announced to the world, especially when only the most high-level ritualists might even notice. Organization, too, becomes effortless when a large number of brothers unite for a common purpose.
That day was a microcosm of what our fraternity can be when it's functioning optimally, with every member participating to the best of their ability. It was inspiring to witness a room full of "Masonic royalty"—men who could understandably, and without fault, carry themselves with an air of ego given their positions or knowledge—yet they walked around as if we were all simply gentlemen, meeting upon the level and parting upon the square. They could fluidly switch from leading roles to following, embodying the humility and brotherhood we preach.
One of the most amazing aspects of the fraternity is seeing individuals, whom I've had the privilege to help through degree work, mentoring, or even just a conversation, become better Freemasons. And in turn, they help me become a better Freemason. This continuous growth is what makes our fraternity so amazing.
And while degree work demands reverence, that day also reminded me of the importance of humor and joy in appropriate moments. The joviality, the laughter during breaks, the shared meals, the genuine sense of humor, and the sheer joy of brotherhood were palpable. It was like those friendships where, even after months or years apart, you reconnect, and it feels as if no time has passed at all.
That day was truly one of my favorite days in Freemasonry. Despite not performing ritual, I learned invaluable lessons about the degree work, witnessed the grace of imperfection, and experienced the high energy and camaraderie of brothers striving for excellence together. It was a beautiful day, a testament to the enduring power of our fraternity.
Shawn Housler, PM
