On March 18, 2014, I was allowed the supreme honor of laying a memorial wreath at a park in Paris, France, to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the death of Jacques DeMolay as well as the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Order of DeMolay. Along with the International Congress Secretary, Chris Labaw; the Grand Master of the International Supreme Council, Michael Salazar; and a group of dedicated Scottish Rite Masons and their spouses, I participated in an event that will be in my heart forever. Jacques DeMolay, the namesake of the premier international youth fraternity known as the Order of DeMolay, was the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar. DeMolay was martyred seven hundred years ago along with Geoffrey de Charney by being burned at the stake at the command of King Philip the Fair of France. For this reason, DeMolay International and the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar will always have a common heritage and an historical bond. Both of our fraternities revere the memory of DeMolay, and our members and supporters cannot help being inspired by the heroic example of fidelity, fraternity, and loyalty unto death. Far beyond the death of a great man, the movement that was ignited from the fires that consumed the earthly bodies of these ancient Knights has led millions to seek to build for themselves spiritual temples that will allow us to seek divine approbation. What a legacy!
The goal of the 47th DeMolay Congress has been to focus on the needs of the individual DeMolay and the hometown DeMolay Chapters and to take action to provide them resources that will allow them to produce positive results for DeMolay International. The cabinet members have been dedicated to proctoring a grant program that provided $7,500 to several Chapters to promote membership growth. There is progress in the development of our best practices database, we have increased our presence and quality in social media, and our International DeMolay Month activities have challenged everyone to up their game.
The greatest need that DeMolay has is a greater number of dedicated and certified advisors. The current corps of Moms and Dads are working to their capacity. There are areas where there are young men desirous of experiencing the benefits of the DeMolay fraternity that can't, because there are not enough adults who will act as advisors. Every time I have the opportunity to visit with members of the Masonic family, I have been asking for members to consider becoming involved in mentoring our youth movement. You could contribute as an advisor. Perhaps you could serve as a helper or offer to drive. Maybe you have a son you could sponsor for memberYour Commandery could become a sponsoring body for a Chapter. All of these supportive activities will help advance DeMolay.
Every DeMolay I speak with has a story about some advisor that has changed his life. It may be the Mom Advisor that is always ready with a hug, a cookie, and a patient ability to listen to a problem; possibly it is the younger advisor that has provided an example of how to dress well; or maybe it is the more seasoned advisor that inspires us to elevate our behavior and seek higher education. All advisors have special gifts we need. Just imagine how you could help a DeMolay to grow into a better man and a better son. That could be your legacy.
My dad and grandfather were members of Ivanhoe Commandery's award winning drill team, and I remember watching them marching in formation with their white plumes flowing, following Past Grand Master Ned Dull's crisp commands. I have heard that the Sir Knights marching on Easter morning is a sight to behold. I appreciate the good advice that Past Grand Master Bill Koon has given me and the friendship that Grand Master Goodwin has offered during this year. I want to thank all of the Sir Knights for letting their light shine before all, that they will give glory to our Father in Heaven.
To those who travelled to France in May, I hope you had a "Bon Voyage!" I hope as you stood at the Square du Vert Galant where Grand Master DeMolay met his fate, that you will feel the thrill that we experienced on March 18th when we were greeted with a beautiful hymn playing on a sound system that repeated the refrain, "Non Nobis Domine Non Nobis Sed Nomini Tuo Da Gloriam" and a fellow dressed in Templar garb that had travelled to Paris from Colorado just to honor the memory of Jacques DeMolay. Our pasts are linked by history; let us labor together to assure that our futures are bright! Let us strive that we may be proud of the legacy we leave.
Bob Laing, 47th International Master Councilor