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About Scottish Rite Masonry
Valley of Providence

How We Relate to Freemasonry

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Provide Inspiration for our members through meaningful programs and degrees.  Provide Convenient opportunities for our members to enhance their lives, Provide Enjoyable programs and fellowship activities for our members Inspiration, Convenience, and Enjoyment

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Scottish Rite Masonry is an empowering fraternity that powerfully expands you beyond your own Masonic lodge. It opens up the door for brotherhood with other lodges. It helps you learn more and become a better person.

Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite

4 Scottish Rite bodies

Each Valley has up to four Scottish Rite bodies; each body confers a specific set of degrees. These degrees teach the moral codes of a Mason. The Valley of Providence Scottish Rite bodies include:

Your Masonic Journey Continues

The local Scottish Rite organization is called a “Valley.” The Valley of Providence (RI) confers the 4th through 32nd degrees in degree-conferring meetings. The Scottish Rite is sometimes called the “University of Freemasonry” because it helps members continue to explore the philosophy, history, religions, ethics, and ultimate truths that guide Freemasons’ lives.

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What is 32nd Degree Freemasonry™?

32nd Degree Freemasonry™, also known as Scottish Rite Freemasonry, is a fraternity of Brothers committed to journeying deeper into the highest principles, teachings, and ideals of the Masonic craft. Scottish Rite Masons work to be guided by six core values – Reverence for God, Integrity, Devotion to Country, Justice, Tolerance, and Service to Humanity.

The Scottish Rite offers a series of degrees (from the 4th degree to the 32nd degree) that supplement and amplify the philosophical teachings of the first three degrees conferred in the symbolic lodge. 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemasonry is sometimes called the "University of Freemasonry" because it uses extensive allegory and dramatic presentation in its degrees to explore the philosophy, history, ethics, and fundamental truths that guide Freemasons' lives.

32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemasonry™ is a tight-knit community of Masons who seek to be the best version of themselves, find a deeper sense of purpose, and be of service to the world and our fellow man. Learn more about our visions and values.

Do you want to become a 32° Scottish Rite Freemason™ or learn more about the Scottish Rite journey? Visit the Join page to learn more!

Why become a 32nd Degree Freemason?

Becoming a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemason is an opportunity to join a tight-knit community of Masons committed to self-improvement, community, and brotherhood through deeper learning of the ethical teachings and philosophies of Freemasonry.

Although in the craft of Freemasonry there is no degree considered higher than that of a Master Mason, the degrees of 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemasonry enrich and expand the teachings of the symbolic lodge. As a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemason you will, indeed, find an untold wealth of knowledge. You will learn more about Masonry. You will more deeply explore questions raised in the blue lodge degrees.

32nd Degree Scottish Rite Masons live by six core values: Integrity, Justice, Service to Humanity, Tolerance, Reverence for God, and Devotion to Country. These values unite us in a quest to become better men and better Masons. Together we work to pass on those values to future generations so our craft is left in the hands of other good men.

If this resonates with you, learn more about joining us and submit a member application.

What are Scottish Rite Valleys?

Valleys are the local bodies of 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemasonry, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

The Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction includes Valleys in the following 15 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

Similar to a Masonic lodge, Valleys are local groups of Scottish Rite Masons, covering a larger region within a state. Belonging to a Valley means being part of a tight-knit community of Scottish Rite Brothers. Degrees from the 4th to the 32nd are also conferred in the Valleys.

Reach out to your Valley Secretary for ways to become involved.

What is required for membership in 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemasonry?

The requirements for becoming a member of 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemasonry, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction are as follows:

  1. You must be a Master Mason in good standing in a Masonic lodge. If you are not yet a Freemason, visit RIMasons.org to learn more and take the first step.
  2. You must profess belief in a Supreme Being.
  3. You must be a Master Mason in one of the RI Blue Lodges and petition the Valley for membership.
  4. Once you are approved as a degree candidate, you must attend the 4th Degree in the fall to be initiated as a Scottish Rite Mason.
  5. To officially become a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemason, you must receive a minimum of five Scottish Rite degrees. You must receive the 4th degree and 32nd degree, along with three additional degrees (in any order) that focus on 32nd Degree Freemasonry’s Core Values. While not required, most men go on to view all 29 Scottish Rite degrees in the future. Participation in a Virtual Reunion will make you eligible for the 32°. The requisite number of degrees will be presented on each Virtual Reunion date.

Men of any ethnic, religious or economic background are eligible to become Scottish Rite Freemasons. Master Masons who are members of other appendant bodies of Freemasonry, such as Shriners International or the York Rite, are eligible to become Scottish Rite Masons so long as they meet the above requirements.

If you meet the above criteria and are interested in becoming a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemason, learn more about joining us and submit a member application.

How do I become a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemason?

Master Masons in good standing can become a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason by completing the membership application process outlined below.

  1. In order to become a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, you must first be a Master Mason. If you are not yet a Freemason, visit RImasons.org to learn more and take the first step.
  2. If you are a Master Mason in one of the RI Blue Lodges, submit a membership application to join a Scottish Rite Valley of Providence.
  3. Your Valley Secretary will review your application and send you more information on the membership process.
  4. Once you are approved as a degree candidate, you must attend the 4th Degree in the fall to be initiated as a Scottish Rite Mason.
  5. Finally, to become a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, you must receive a minimum of five Scottish Rite degrees. You must receive the 4th degree and 32nd degree, along with three additional degrees in any order that focus on 32nd Degree Freemasonry’s six core values. While not required, most men go on to view all 29 Scottish Rite degrees in the future. Participation in a Virtual Reunion will make you eligible for the 32°. The requisite number of degrees will be presented on each Virtual Reunion date.
How long does it take to complete the Scottish Rite degrees?
To become a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, you must receive a minimum of five Scottish Rite degrees: the 4th degree and 32nd degree, along with three additional degrees that focus on 32nd Degree Freemasonry’s Core Values. Degree conferrals are scheduled within one masonic year and located at the Valley of Provicence.

To be initiated as a Scottish Rite Mason, you must witness the 4th degree, which can be completed in a single meeting.

The time it takes to complete all 29 Scottish Rite degrees will vary for each person and depends on the degree schedule for each Valley.

Most men do go on to complete all 29 degrees. Some degrees, such as ones that require elaborate stage productions, may be conferred less frequently. Members are invited to travel to Valleys throughout the jurisdiction to witness degree presentations that may not be offered in their home Valley. Members are also encouraged to witness degrees more than once, as repeated viewings can lend greater insight into the lessons and teachings of each degree.

As a member of the Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, you will be able to track your progress towards completing the degrees with your degree passport. Our online member center provides a digital version of the passport for easy reference. Members can also get their physical passport stamped at in-person Valley events.