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Use of Rods & Staffs by
Deacons and Stewards
If anyone wants to send me email, especially if any of the information
on this chart is not correct or if you know of additional information that should be
included, please send me email at paulb'at'bessel.org
U.S. Grand Lodges
| Grand Lodge |
Details |
| Alabama |
|
| Alaska |
|
| Arizona |
|
| Arkansas |
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| California |
|
| Colorado |
Deacons and Stewards both carry rods when ever they
move from their place. Deacons rods are blue; Stewards rods are white. |
| Connecticut |
In Connecticut Deacons and Stewards are to
carry their rods in the performance of their duty. |
| Delaware |
|
| District of Columbia |
Deacons move in lodge during opening
& closing without ever carrying staffs or rods. Stewards use rods or
staffs during degree work. Deacons and Stewards use rods and staffs when
receiving the Grand Master in lodges. |
| Florida |
|
| Georgia |
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| Hawaii |
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| Idaho |
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| Illinois |
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| Indiana |
|
| Iowa |
|
| Kansas |
Following is from a Kansas Mason:
The rods
(the correct KS name) are an integral part of the uniform and are
carried by the Deacons and Stewards at almost all times when they move
from their stations. They are carried vertically, with the base about 6
inches off the floor, arm in a natural, loose, downward position,in a
loose grip between the thumb and first two fingers, with the fingers
pointing down, on the right shoulder. When the right hand is in
use, e.g. receiving the pass and token of the pass, there is a 4 step
movement to place it on the left shoulder, where they are carried in a
like manner. After completion of the duty, they are returned to
the right shoulder, again, in 4 steps. If both hands are required,
e.g. saluting the master, the rod butt is placed on the floor and the
rod is leaned against the right shoulder, freeing both hands. When
placing the Great Lights, the rod is placed in a stand next to the
altar.
When
escorting visitors or conducting candidates, the rod is carried in the
right, and the person is gripped with the left. There are no
special rod salutes.
The only
time I can think of when the rod is not carried, is when the Senior
Deacon is conducting voting.
Rod colors
are not specified. My lodge uses white for Stewards and dark wood
for Deacons. Other lodges I have visited are mostly all one or the
other, white or wood tone.
Our rod
stands are three footed brass, oriented as the Lesser Lights.
Others I have seen are often round or square.
|
| Kentucky |
|
| Louisiana |
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| Maine |
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| Maryland |
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| Massachusetts |
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| Michigan |
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| Minnesota |
In Minnesota, Deacons and Stewards are directed to carry
their rods at an angle of 23.5 degrees from the vertical, reflecting the tilt of the
earth's axis from the plane of its orbit. |
| Mississippi |
|
| Missouri |
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| Montana |
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| Nebraska |
|
| Nevada |
|
| New Hampshire |
|
| New Jersey |
From message: In New Jersey, our Deacons, Stewards, and
Masters of Ceremonies all have rods and always carry them when whenever they move about the lodge (which for
Stewards and Masters of Ceremonies is only during degree work). |
| New Mexico |
|
| New York |
|
| North Carolina |
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| North Dakota |
|
| Ohio |
|
| Oklahoma |
|
| Oregon |
Deacons move in lodge during opening & closing without
ever carrying staffs or rods. Deacons & Stewards use rods or staffs during
degree work. Deacons and Stewards use rods and staffs when receiving the
Grand Master in lodges. |
| Pennsylvania |
|
| Rhode Island |
|
| South Carolina |
|
| South Dakota |
|
| Tennessee |
|
| Texas |
From message: The only time we use rods in Texas is when
we receive the Grand Master or his personal representative into the Lodge room. This is done by the Deacons as they
lock the tops together to form an arch over the honoree and the two Past Masters
that escort him. They follow the three from the door to the altar and as the
honoree is escorted by one of the PM's to the East the Deacons part their rods and
return to their stations.
From another email message:
For reception of the DDGM on his official visits to lodges, "The
escorts, one on each side of the District Deputy Grand Master, will
approach the altar with the distinguished guest, the Deacons forming an
angle with their rods above the head of the District Deputy Grand
Master." |
| Utah |
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| Vermont |
|
| Virginia |
Deacons never move in lodge without
carrying their staffs. The angle is 45 degrees. Stewards never use their rods for any purpose. |
| Washington |
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| West Virginia |
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| Wisconsin |
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| Wyoming |
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Non - U.S. Grand Lodges
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