‘A great Grotto day’

    

Grotto ceremonial today hosted by Simba in south Jersey. Grand Monarch Victor Mann and Grand Master Len Vander Horn were present.

Great day today way out in Pennsauken, New Jersey—right outside Philadelphia—for a Grotto Ceremonial on this, the sixteenth day of International Grotto Month.

The occasion brought together Prophets from five or six Grottoes, including Grand Monarch Victor Mann himself. Simba Grotto hosted at Merchantville Lodge 119 and was joined by others from Shamaliu, Azim, Delco, and one prophet from both Zal Gas and Tri Po Bed.

Grand Historian/District Deputy Grand Monarch Frank Sforza took the lead on the ritual, and was brilliant as usual—even working in a few ad libbed quips at the expense of the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, MW Len Vander Horn, who was a good sport about it.

Don’t forget the Empire State Grotto Association’s Spring Convention at Kingston, New York, April 19-21. Then, of course, in June, the 134th Supreme Council Session at New Orleans.

     

‘Azim and Shamaliu team up’

   

The Mystic Prophets in formation at Masonic Hall today. That’s the Shamaliu Prophets attired in Grotto black and red. I think we Aziminians need to reinvigorate our sartorial traditions! Grand Monarch Victor, front and center, in a superb sport jacket.

It was the High Holy Days Edition of Azim Grotto Ceremonials today, as the Prophets gathered at Masonic Hall to impart lessons in Sympathy and Good Fellowship upon Pilgrim Neophytes from New Jersey.

Some of the Shamaliu contingent
with Monarch Dave in front.

The Mystic Prophets of the newly chartered Shamaliu Grotto (I forgot to ask those guys what the name means) (I’m told it is the Arabic word meaning “northern”), which meets in the Shriner building in Morris County, outnumbered us! Some were actual candidates, receiving their fezzes as new Prophets, but most already had their black headgear, but had not been through the Ceremonial initiation. All that is corrected now, and I imagine the Shamaliu Prophets will tackle their own ritual work henceforth.

Shamaliu Monarch Dave gets a few pointers
on regalia from Azim Monarch Eric.

Theirs is the second Grotto during this revival of MOVPER in the Garden State. The first, Simba, was launched two years ago, but already is said to be near death. (Sorry, but I predicted that. The lodges in Jersey basically are Grottoes, so I don’t know what novelty MOVPER offers the Masons there. Plus they already have the Shrine, the Sciots, Tall Cedars, and Scottish Rite, and all are moribund.) But Shamaliu appears to be in good hands, and I certainly wish them the best, as we Prophets impart Sympathy and Good Fellowship in a Brotherly Way.

Dignitaries on hand included (Azim’s own) Grand Monarch Victor Mann, who generously steered me toward his Soho tailor for bespoke suits and jackets; and District Deputy Frank Sforza, who always looks like he was born with that million-dollar-suit thing mastered.

John Roberts, PM

Victor once again had the honor of fezzing the new Prophets; Frank returned to the stage to dazzle us anew with his ritual prowess. And Past Monarch John Roberts was back. The Maestro, I call him. No, not ironically!

Other Grottoes were represented today, including Monker in Norwalk, which sent a few Prophets, including Monarch Ray Roche. I haven’t seen him since he was installed MEGHP of the Royal Arch Grand Chapter of New York seven years ago! I think a few Tri Po Bed Prophets were with us too.

We were told Azim has one more event upcoming, either next month or in November, before the elections and installation of officers at year end. And the Empire State Grotto Association has a meeting next month at Niagara Falls. Cheers to Monarch Eric on an eventful 2023.

Today, at least, the G in the Jacobean Room stands for Grotto!

     

‘Prophet motive?’

    

New York City’s Azim Grotto, the local band of the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, will host its next Ceremonial September 23.

Abebooks

First Edition, Fourth Printing, 1923.

Yep, I know what you’re thinking: “Hey, that’s the hundredth anniversary of the publication of Bro. Khalil Gibran’s momentous The Prophet!” And you’re right! It indeed was September 23, 1923 when Alfred A. Knopf released the perennial international best seller. It may be Azim’s choice of that date is entirely coincidental, but it’s still pretty cool.

What is certain is the Ceremonial will be a salute to Past Monarch Victor Mann, who presided over Azim in 2013 and now happens to rule the entire Enchanted Realm of Grottoes International, having been installed as Grand Monarch last month at Supreme Council in Pittsburgh. So, when you see me, I may slip a petition for membership into your pocket.

     

‘Grotto puts Mann in charge’

    

MOVPER photo

Grottoes International, the recently renamed empire of fezzed Freemasons, has concluded its 133rd Supreme Council Session—this time at Pittsburgh—and our new Grand Monarch is Azim Grotto’s own Victor Mann!

He was Azim’s Monarch a decade ago and, such is his dedication to Sympathy and Good Fellowship, he rocketed up the top ranks to be installed Saturday as Grand Monarch of the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm. If you’re not familiar, “The Order of Veiled Prophets, while proclaiming the loyalty of its members to Masonry, makes no pretense of being a Masonic Order, nor does it claim to confer a Masonic degree,” according to Supreme Council. “Its membership is exclusively Masonic and its purpose is to supply the element of play, such a way that work and play will be blended without marring the solid beauty of Masonry.”

In other Azim news, our own Dominic Falcone has been installed Grand Sentinel. Bravo!

Bill Thomas selfie

This session was hosted in the Iron City because it’s the hometown of last year’s Grand Monarch, Michael Tomascin. So, you wonder, will the 2024 annual meeting take place in New York City?

No. You crazy? No one can afford to meet here, and it’s dangerous.

The Prophets instead will gather in the Big Easy, Victor’s original hometown, for our 134th Supreme Council Session during the first week of June. The Magpie Mason has every intention of being there. I’ve always wanted to visit New Orleans.

In the meantime, and on the local scene, Azim Grotto is planning a ceremonial for this fall. Details are being worked out. Also, the Empire State Grotto Association will get together October 19-22 at Niagara Falls (“slowly I turned…”).

Victor is from Independent Royal Arch Lodge 2. Very often that’s the mother lodge of Great Chiefs of Knight Masonry, so now it has another claim to fame. Congratulations, Victor!