A new chapter in Maryland Freemasonry.
Birth of the first Spanish speaking lodge in Maryland…
By Rafael A. Rodriguez, PM
Venerable Maestro (Worshipful Master)
Logia Sol Naciente No. 242
Sometime before the end of 2019, MWGM Richard P. Naegele approached me and asked if I would be interested in helping stand up a Spanish language lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Maryland. I immediately jumped at the idea and MWGM Naegele explained that RW Bro. Ian McIntosh and PM Thomas Fulcher, from Howard 101 had approached him with the idea of starting this lodge. PM Thomas Fulcher has a deep connection with Latin America and Freemasonry in that region. PM Tom grew up in the Panama Canal Zone and when he became of age, became a member of Army lodge in the Panama Canal Zone where his father, Bro. Aldon Fulcher, served as Worshipful Master. When Army Lodge merged with Darien Lodge, PM Tom Fulcher served as Worshipful Master Balboa Lodge, also in Panama.
PM Tom first brought up the idea of forming a Spanish speaking lodge in Maryland to RW Brother Ken Taylor, Grand Secretary and Worshipful Master of Howard Lodge No. 101. RW Bro Taylor recommended PM Tom Fulcher contacted RW Bro. Ian McIntosh. With the support of WM Ken Taylor and Howard Lodge 101, Brothers Tom Fulcher and Ian McIntosh brought up the concept of this Spanish language lodge to MWGM Naegele who provided very positive feedback. PM Tom Fulcher then contacted Bro. Samuel Rodriguez, a member of Howard 101 and asked if he would like to get involved in this undertaking. This was the beginning of the original committee that began to work on what would eventually become Logia Sol Naciente No. 242.
In late December 2019 the committee met at PM Fulcher’s home to discuss the idea and to develop a plan to bring this concept into fruition. The first task was perhaps the most time consuming; translating the Maryland Masonic ritual into Spanish. This proved to be a monumental task, but with time, patience and perseverance, it was completed. PM Tom continued to talk to the brethren of Howard 101 who showed a genuine interest in sponsoring the “Spanish lodge”. At the same time, we began promoting the idea to any brother who showed an interest in this project. By the end of February 2020, we had compiled a list of 12 potential charter members and established communications to provide updates on the progress we were making. Then Covid-19 happened. This brought all the progress we were making to a full stop.
Then in July 2020, as masonic activities were slowly starting again, MWGM Naegele gave us the “go ahead” to continue working on the “Spanish lodge”. With less than three weeks before the Semi-Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, we got back together in a video conference to re-group and to see what needed to be done to submit the Petition for Warrant to Work Under Dispensation shortly after the Semi-Annual. With less than two weeks before the Semi-Annual Communication, we began contacting all the potential charter members and set up a video conference call to outline the details and the path forward to submit the Petition for Warrant to the Grand Lodge. A set of draft bylaws was prepared and reviewed by all the members. Meeting days and times were selected. Officers were elected. And the name, Logia Sol Naciente, was agreed upon by all the members.
Shortly after the Semi-Annual Communication, the Petition for Warrant was submitted to the Grand Lodge and the Inaugural Communication of Logia Sol Naciente was scheduled for Wednesday August 12, 2020 at 7:30pm at the Howard Masonic Temple. Then it hit us; we had less than three weeks to prepare to do something that has never been done in the State of Maryland; open a Master Mason lodge in Spanish.
Thanks to the technology available we were able to hold two rehearsals via video-conferencing, and one “in-person” rehearsal in the lodge the day before the Inaugural Communication. On Wednesday August 12, Logia Sol Naciente was opened for the very first time in the 3rd degree and the entire ceremony, with two exceptions, was done in Spanish. After the opening ceremony, MWGM Naegele greeted and congratulated the members of Logia Sol Naciente in Spanish and English and presented the Warrant authorizing Logia Sol Naciente to work under dispensation. Because of the Covid-19 limitations, attendance had to be kept to a minimum. However, there were 19 members of Logia Sol Naciente representing 9 different countries, and 10 visitors, including MWGM Naegele, several members of the Grand Line, and the heads of the Grand Chapter and Grand Council of Royal Arch Masons of Maryland.
The evening was full of emotions, pride and happiness. Bro. Jose Cruz, Worshipful Master of Patuxent Lodge No. 218 donated the Square and Compass to be used at the altar. Bro. Pablo “Paito” Delgado Medina 33rd from Logia Estella de Oriente No. 30, from Humacao, Puerto Rico, donated and dedicated a beautiful Holy Bible in Spanish to the lodge.
Then on November 21, 2020 at the 234thAnnual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maryland A.F. & A.M. Logia Sol Naciente U.D. became a duly chartered lodge to be known as Logia Sol Naciente No. 242 A.F. & A.M.