Memento

Question 1

The Fellowcraft requests entrance by

Answer 1

Striking five knocks on the Temple door

Question 2

Are you a Fellowcraft?

Answer 2

I have seen the Blazing Star

(The Blazing Star is the symbol of the highest expression of men who have become strong enough to master their passions and dominate matter. Symbolizes Fellowcraft who must strive to radiate warmth and light, be unreservedly dedicated to his ideal, discriminate intelligently between the various options offered without submitting to prejudices and preconceived ideas)

Question 3

What did you notice in the center of the Blazing Star?

Answer 3

Letter “G”

Question 4

Does this letter have a special meaning?

Answer 4

There are many interpretations. For us, Freemasons, first and foremost the letter “G” represents Geometry. But according to rites and beliefs, it has been interpreted as God, Generation, Gnosis, Gravitation or Genius

Question 5

Does it represent a special type of Geometry?

Answer 5

Yes, it has to do with the science of building and how it also applies to the training of men and women until they become well-rounded and can work efficiently in the vast building site of the universe

Question 6

In what way does “GENERATION” relate to the Fellowcraft degree?

Answer 6

GENERATION is the expression of life. The Fellowcraft who is bent toward action cannot ignore the mysteries of Generation.
From time immemorial, these mysteries have been the subjects of meditation and research. They were the foundation of ancient doctrines

Question 7

What is the meaning of the word “GNOSIS”?

Answer 7

GNOSIS means knowledge. It has to do with a whole body of ideas shared by all initiates. These ideas have been studied by them in such depth that they have come together to form an interpretation of the cosmos and life

Question 8

What is the sacred word of the FF CC?

Answer 8

…….

(It implies stability. The Fellowcraft must become the perfect Ashlar which will be the foundation for the construction of the Temple of Humanity. It was by the Column of the Temple thus called that FF CC received their wages)

Question 9

Show me the sign of order of the Fellowcraft.

Answer 9

…..

(It is a reminder of the oath of the Fellowcraft: “Should I violate these pledges, I would sentence myself to no less penalty than that of tearing my heart out of my breast, and my name would forever be erased from the rolls of Freemasons”. With her/his right hand on her/his heart, the Freemason underlines the promise he has made to love her/his SS and BB. Her/his left hand raised as a square is a reminder of her/his sincerity and fairness)

Question 10

Show me the grip of the FF CC

Answer 10

. Give the grip of the EA
. With the thumb, tap five times on the first knuckle of the middle finger
. Press and hold the thumb between that knuckle and the knuckle of the ring finger
. In this position, give the password
. The tester will then place and hold the thumb on the first knuckle of your middle finger and will slightly press it with the nail. This is the request for the sacred word

(The grip being just and perfect, I recognize that you are truly a FC)

Question 11

Show me the steps of the FF CC

Answer 11

The steps are demonstrated

Question 12

What is the meaning of such steps?

Answer 12

. They symbolize the apparent course of the sun
. The first three steps of the first degree are an expression of the apparent path of the sun from the Winter solstice to the Spring equinox
. The two steps of the FC imply that the FC who has mastered the use of symbolic tools can, with the fourth step, deviate from the straight and direct path to broaden her/his field of knowledge
. With the fifth step, she/he returns to the initiatory path she/he had chosen

Question 13

As a FC, how old are you?

Answer 13

Five years old

(We saw that the EA must be initiated into the mysteries of the first three numbers. The science of numbers is of great interest for the initiate and that is why new numbers are submitted to her/him to meditate upon. Five is the number of our senses. Five can also be associated with the quintessence of things)

Question 14

Give me the password

Answer 14

………

(It means “ear of wheat”. It alludes to the Eleusinian mysteries and is translated as “as numerous as ears of wheat”)

Question 15

How did you become a FC?

Answer 15

By going from column “B” to column “J”, after accomplishing five journeys

Question 16

How do you interpret going from one to the other column?

Answer 16

. The EE AA used to receive their salary at column “B”
. This column was white; it symbolized femininity and the moon
. They had to keep silent, to listen, to examine their conscience and to learn to meditate
. They are now capable of acting according to reason. That is why they have a right to a salary that they receive at column “J”
. Which is red, masculine and corresponds to the sun

Question 17

What were you taught during those journeys?

Answer 17

I learned to use the tools that must transform the Rough Ashlar into a Perfect Stone according to the rules of the Royal Art

Question 18

What were those tools?

Answer 18

. They were the Chisel and the Mallet
. Then the Square and the Compasses
. Then the Rule and the Lever
. And finally the Plumbline and the Level

Question 19

What is the meaning of the Chisel and Mallet?

Answer 19

. They are used to chip at the Rough Ashlar and polish it
. The Chisel, which is a passive tool, would not be able to accomplish anything if it were not for the Mallet that is an active tool
. The Mallet symbolizes the will that implements, the energy that empowers, and the moral resolve that brings action to completion
. The Chisel corresponds to intellectual receptivity and speculative discrimination without which all effort would serve no purpose and could even be dangerous
. The FC has learned how to use these tools, not just to chip at the Rough Ashlar but also to polish it perfectly and turn it into a stone that will find its just place in the edifice

Question 20

What does the Lever represent?

Answer 20

It is the symbol of a strong will which, being guided by enlightened wisdom, will overcome any difficulty

Question 21

Why would the Ruler accompany the Lever?

Answer 21

Because our ideal and strong convictions make it possible for us to be the champions of Law and Justice

Question 22

Why were you asked to hold the square during the second journey?

Answer 22

. The square is one of the strongest symbols of Freemasonry
. It symbolizes rectitude and uprightness
. It is used to check the precision with which the stones have been cut and sized
. As such it remind us that we must assume total responsibility for our actions
. In so doing Free Masons will become the perfect stones that will find their just place in the edifice

Question 23

Why are the Fellowcraft’s hands empty during the fifth journey?

Answer 23

The FC has succeeded in chipping away any rough edges on the stone, which is a measure of her/his moral fiber. Her/his work is accomplished and all she/he has to do from now on is to think, meditate, and serve

Question 24

What is the duration of the work for the FF CC?

Answer 24

They work from noon to midnight

Question 25

What does that mean?

Answer 25

It means that it is only when we reach the zenith of our life that we can be useful to society but, from that moment on, we must work toward the common good until we die