What is Royal Arch Masonry?

Royal Arch Masonry is not a religion and does not endeavor to fix ones conception of God.  Royal Arch Masonry regards your religious belief as your own; it does not attempt to influence your belief.  It only asks that you have a belief.  The motto of the Royal Arch is "Holiness To The Lord" and ever reminds us of the reverence due the Great and Beneficient Author of our existence, who is a Being without beginning of days or ending of years.

A Royal Arch Mason holds firm to the belief in the Brotherhood of Man, the Fatherhood of God, and the Immortality of the Human Soul in high regard.  He, therefore, who is a member knows that in his travels around the world he will be welcome and greeted with hospitality and friendship.

A Royal Arch Mason is taught to practice and espouse toleration for men and to become brothers in deed.  Through active membership one obtains those things to which Royal Arch Masons aspire --companionship--brotherhood--opportunity for service in humanity's name. 

A Royal Arch Mason is taught to continually attempt to build with Plumb, Square and Level, that Temple of Character which is the great goal of our gentle Craft.

The Royal  Arch Mason is the heart, root, backbone and marrow of Freemasonry.

 

Capitular Degrees
Chapter of Royal Arch Masons

Having completed your degrees in Symbolic Masonry (Blue Lodge), your next step in advancing in York Rite Masonry is the Chapter of Capitular Degrees. 

Royal Arch Masonry is said to have derived its origin from the original Masonic Degrees and traditions.

The local Chapter is under the jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter of North Carolina.  There are some 25 active Chapters.

The Chapter, as present in North Carolina, consists of four beautiful degrees:

Click on these to learn more about the degrees, or click on the home button to return home.

All Organizations have their own secrets and mysteries.  Royal Arch (Capitular) Masonry is secret only in the result of a ballot, and a few innocuous passwords and means of recognition which are rarely used, and then only for the purpose of examination for admission to a Chapter.  Membership is gained by the presentation of ritual through degrees, as described above.  The degrees are more important at regards the meaning of the ritual than the wording thereof.