Spanish Lodge opens to the public

In an unprecedented gesture of transparency, Javea Masonry opened the portals of their new temple to the public in Costa Nova, Javea last Saturday December 11. No special handshakes or passwords necessary when led by Past Assistant Grand Master of Spain Ray Horn, Mason’s young and old proudly gave conducted tours around the inner sanctum while explaining the basic principals of Freemasonry.
An impressive carpet consisting of large black and white squares with Masonic symbols woven into the border, dominated the central temple interior. Rather like a giant chess board. This was complimented by a colourful display of wall banners, each representing individual lodges that share the temple as a communal home. In stark contrast, the remaining areas remain clinically furnished with basic stacking chairs and simple pieces of furniture essential to the rituals of Masonry.
Senior member Ray Horn explained that the special day was designed to blow away the shadowy, furtive image of Freemasonry and show they are an open organisation working for the good of the community just like Rotary, Lions or any other charitable group.
They also hope to attract potential new members and to join a fraternity whose roots can be traced back to late 16thcentury, now with over six million members world wide. Mr Horn’s last comment was, “Please remember, Masonry is not a secret society, it is a society of secrets.”

Via Euro Weekly

Montilla en casa de los masones (Via Vanguardia)

Jose Montilla was a little shocked the day he received a meeting request by the Grand Masters of major Masonic lodges in France. What is done in these cases? wondered and asked his colleagues. The novelty of the event generated some concerns and the President of the Regional Government of Catalunya accepted the same. Before engaging in relationship, and cordial relations with the French Freemasons, it was better to do with the Catalan. Said and done. The Government got in touch with Josep Brunet, director of the library Arus - with a great documentation on the subject, expert on the subject and Freemason who called to lunch at the four grand masters of lodges based in Barcelona, and which are among the largest of Spain: José Carretero (Grand Lodge of Spain), Jordi Farrerons (Spanish Symbolic Grand Lodge), Antonio Castillo (Gran Orient de Catalunya) and Ana Maria Lorente (Grand Lodge Feminin of Spain). The meeting - unveiled by the magazine Time- held on 3 December, was pleasant, long, productive and even surprising, according to sources consulted by The Vanguardia. Montilla, a silent man who listens more than talks, rushed to ask about some of the secrets of the Masonic organizations. How do people get to the lodges? How are the processes of initiation? There were answers, but not great teachers revealed their secret codes and how to recognize each other.
In Vanguardia, 27.12.2009.