Dear Brethren,

As the month of February begins we are reminded of two very important holidays. The first being St. Valentines Day, the 'holiday of love.' It started in the 4th century B.C. The Romans would hold a lottery in mid-February to celebrate a young mans rite of passage to their god Lupercus. All the young women would put their name in a box and the young men would reach in and pick a name. The couple would stay together for the ensuing year. As time went on, the Christians wanted to do away with this practice. They decided to pick a 'lovers saint' to guide the new couples. They chose a bishop named Valentine who was martyred. St. Valentine believed that these couples should be married and would do so in secret.

In 270 A.D. Emperor Claudius issued an edit forbidding marriage. Bishop Valentine disagreed and refused to change his ways. He was put in prison to await execution and in February of 270 A.D. he was clubbed, stoned and beheaded.

Tradition tells us that while he was in prison he would send little love notes and letters to those he cared about. The lotteries eventually discontinued and the Romans would send hand written greetings of affection to women they admired and wished to court. This was still done in February and the greetings became known as St. Valentine Day cards.

We as masons should show our love in February to those who support our fraternity in different ways. Our family, for the time we spend at Lodge functions, and our friends and brother who assist us in Lodge and devote their time.

The second important holiday is the birthday of our brother George Washington which we celebrate on February 22nd. Brother Washington is one of the greatest examples of what a mason should be. He was commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and later the 1st President of the United States. He symbolized qualities of discipline, aristocratic duty, military orthodoxy , and persistence in adversity which made him a great leader.

He was proud to be a Mason and let it be known by his actions. On July 4th, 2778 along with seven other great Masons he signed the Declaration of Independence. When he was sworn in as President on April 30th, 1789, it was on a Masonic Bible and officiated by the cornerstone of the Capitol Building in Washington, he was in the presence of other Masons and in full Masonic attire.

We should try to emulate him and let people know we are also proud to be Masons. Let the people see who we are and what we are about. Spread the word.

Edward Gasior
Worshipful Master