Over 30 Berkshire Companions Club members embarked on their inaugural trip together where they visited The Whitson Chapter, No. 2943. The main focus of the Companions Club trip was to experience the Veils Exaltation ceremony, which holds particular significance and is one of the unique features of Royal Arch Freemasonry. The convocation of the chapter was held in the “chapter room” at Freemasons Hall Bristol
The Province of Bristol has preserved this ancient and elaborate form of the ceremony, which sets it apart as a distinctive Masonic tradition. The Bristol workings are known for their adherence to older and more detailed ritual practices, and the Veils ceremony is an essential part of this. The exaltee on the day was none other than our own Committee member Keith Archer, “Well done Keith” a great sport.
In Bristol’s version of the ceremony, the candidate passes through four veils as part of their journey toward being exalted in the Royal Arch. Each “veil” represents a deeper spiritual and philosophical truth, mirroring the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness and their eventual discovery of divine revelation. The Bristol Province’s version of the Veils ceremony also emphasizes the symbolic importance of the four colours associated with each veil—blue, purple, scarlet, and white—and their connection to the elements of the Tabernacle in the Old Testament.
The Bristol workings maintain a strong focus on the esoteric and symbolic aspects of Freemasonry, making this form of the Veils Exaltation ceremony one of the most distinct in England. The ceremony not only serves as a progression through the Royal Arch but also as an opportunity for Masons in Bristol to engage with a richer, more complex layer of Masonic tradition that has been preserved for centuries.
After wonderful festive board, known as “the after event” in Bristol, many of the Companions took a guided tour of the Freemasons Hall before departing back to Berkshire. The overwhelming response was extremely positive from the club members, who commented on the great experience and how they enjoyed learning about the differences from Bristol to our Berkshire workings.
Membership of the Companions Club is free to any Royal Arch Mason in Berkshire, you can join our Private Facebook group here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/berkshirecompanionsclub
