Exeter Masonic Lodge #303 F&AM

With #COVID19 still taking its toll, assistance is needed. If you’re a #Freemason experiencing hardship, our relief fund can assist by providing access to impor...tant resources, support, and #emergency funds. If you are able to contribute to the Relief Fund, this is your opportunity to fulfill the obligation that all Masons take to support one another. ACCESS RELIEF OR GIVE NOW: californiafreemason.org/dwbrelief #MasonsofCA #shelterinplace #quarantine #relief

Let’s show some love for our #Filipino Masons! Earlier this week, #Freemasons of Clarence F Smith Daylight Lodge #866 sought to raise funds and collect r...elief supplies for families in need living in the city of Bacoor in the Philippines. Along with the help of Pintong Bato Lodge No. 51-GLP of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines, their efforts helped make a difference for more than 100 families. Read more at: bit.ly/2AWBiNH Does your lodge connect with an international lodge? Share your story with us in the comments! #MasonsofCA #relief #givingback

When you understand calendar drift, you recognize that the Holy Saints John days are at the Solstices rather than the dates upon which we currently celebrate them. In other words, we've passed this last one and are already moving toward the next one. With this being said, I wish you a "Happy St. John's Day" anyway.

On this day in 1717, a group of Freemasons met at the Goose and Gridiron pub in St Paul’s Churchyard and formed the Premier Grand Lodge.

Commemorating the two hundred and ninety fifth anniversary of the formation of The Grand Lodge of Ireland on St. John's Day, 1725

THE MASONIC SUMMER FESTIVAL ON THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST: Today (June 24) is the Feast Day of the first Holy Saint John revered in Masonic Ritual John the Baptist. Several theories exist as to why Masons (and the original Knights Templar) commemorate the Feast of St. John the Baptist from the date’s close proximity to the Summer Solstice, to the fact that early Masonic Lodges were called St. John’s Lodges. Masonic Ritual even declares that Masons come from Lodges ...dedicated to the Holy Saints John. It is for this reason why Lodges purposely align the dates of their important undertakings to the Feast of St. John. In fact, today marks the anniversary of the formation of the original Grand Lodge of London in 1717, which years later became the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE). It adopted the said date as one of its Feast Days, calling it the SUMMER FESTIVAL. Some say that prior to 1717, the "ancient grand lodges" held only annual General Assemblies of the Craft, and that a certain Grand Master Inigo Jones instituted quarterly communications at the beginning of the 17th century, which were continued by his successors, the Earl of Pembroke and Sir Christopher Wren, until the infirmities of the latter compelled him to disregard these communication dates (see Constitutions, 1738). Then on June 24, 1717, marking the beginning of the modern-day Grand Lodge system, a provision was said to have been made for the resumption of the said communication dates, one of them being the Summer Festival of June 24th. May you serve with the passionate zeal of Saint John the Baptist and the learned reason of Saint John the Evangelist. HAPPY SUMMER FESIVAL AND FEAST OF THE HOLY SAINT JOHN to all initiated Masons of the Ancient Craft Lodge, whether Apprentice, Fellow, or Master.

Today, Masonic podcasts are all the rage. But, Freemasonry has a long history with radio shows! The first recorded wireless broadcast of a lecture on Freemasonry was given by Bro. John Whicher, who was then serving as the Grand Secretary of the Masons of California. The broadcast occurred on September 3, 1921 in San Francisco. Who listened to this radio show? Over 200 miles away, members of Woodbridge Lodge No. 131 gathered around a radio during a special event at the Lodge. It was reported that Masons as far away as Santa Barbara were independently able to pick up the signal! (Source: Masonic Trivia by Peter Champion.)