|
Brethren,
We are often asked if Freemasonry, defined as a "moral system
veiled by allegories and illustrated by symbols", is just
one associative phenomenon among many. We are asked if it is simply
an orthopraxy-a code of ethical-moral behaviour-or if it is possible
to define it as an initiatic society in all respects.
When we speak about Freemasonry we refer, of course, not to specific
historical realities in various nations, each presenting its own
particularities, but to its ideal representation. This "ideal
reality" of Freemasonry is the one into which each one of
us intended to be initiated. It is an ideal made real but without
losing, in this reality, that dimension which is greater than
a dream. It is liberated from mundane problems, the restrictions
of our daily routine, and from those dead ends which too often
confine our lives or entangle them in the chatter of the moment.
It is likely that we all aspired to a Freemasonry that transcends
all of that and which finds its place in the soul.
How often we have seen our ideal Freemasonry sag under the narrowest
of realities: We have seen it represented as a pseudo-political
party, a club service, a movement of opinion on fashionable issues.
How often we have seen our ideal reduced to the desire for publicity
and media attention, perhaps along with the latest news on Vallettopoli.
This was not what we had dreamed of!
We must have the courage to return to and affirm our ideal and
to recognize and stay far away from that which does not represent
it. Freemasonry is and must be an initiatic society that has nothing
to do with daily issues such as pension reform or political issues
of the right or the left. It must by its nature surpass and transcend
such things.
We, like Diogenes, search for Man-his immortal essence. We seek
unity of Spirit, not the contraposition of the topics of the day.
An initiatic society searches for the One, not for multiplicity;
for moral order, not for dialectical confusion; for harmony of
souls, not for discord between minds.
Coming down now to the practice, we must pay utmost attention
to the designation of Worshipful Masters to lead the lodges. They
must be chosen exclusively on the basis of merit and skills and
not according to the old, sad system of Masonic seniority or other
invented criteria. We have the moral obligation to put the general
good of the Lodge first, which means, to give the Lodge the best
possible Worshipful Master, in a way that is just and right, as
a true initiatic society must do.
I am able to affirm today, in front of our guests from the oldest
and most titled Masonic Obedience in Europe, that the Gran Loggia
Regolare d'Italia, which I have the honour of leading as Grand
Master, has greatly reduced the gap between the ideal and its
fulfilment.
This has been brought about by the laudable efforts of the Brethren
of the GLRI who in these six unforgettable years have worked as
a real team. Believing in a project, perhaps a utopian project,
they have worked tirelessly at the service of the Obedience on
collective undertakings and developments, Lodge by Lodge, abandoning
petty quarrels.
In the GLRI, we don't talk about politics, but pursue the perfecting
of Man, through knowledge, ethics and aesthetics. Indeed, in an
initiatic society, form becomes symbol, a representation of a
more profound truth. Our behaviour must reflect the decorum of
the role that we have and the dignity of that which we are. Through
our exterior expression, our way of being and relating, we reveal
our spirit, the gestures of our bodies disclose the lineage of
our hearts.
This new and higher way of being and of representing ourselves
shines positively and inevitably in the profane world, without
the need for words, explanations or the taking of positions. Through
charity we, as an institution, have interacted with the profane
world and have shown our solidarity on the presupposition that
the "others" are never truly on the outside. Our assistance
must not be merely an aseptic gift of financial aid; it must be,
above all, an expression of compassion. Benevolence is expressed
first of all in the attention and the time we dedicate to others-in
listening, sharing, in our gentleness of manner and in mutual
respect.
Thanks to you, your trust and your cooperation, I have been able
to propose a new Freemasonry in Italy, ideal and traditional.
I will continue to expect from you the same enthusiasm, strength
and participation in this bold project. Brethren, I know each
one of you personally and don't think I am deceiving myself when
I say that I see in you all an enormous potential that, if channelled
in the right direction, if shared, can bring about the realisation
of our ideal of Freemasonry-beyond our greatest expectations.
A special thank you to the Grand Secretary who has done his work
with great patience and painstaking care, producing excellent
results. He is a figure that is fundamental and irreplaceable
to me. Special thanks also to the Finance Commission who has always
been vigilant and attentive in the administration of the resources
of the Gran Loggia and also to the Consiglio delle Proposte Generali
which has worked with me to evaluate and consider all important
decisions and issues to be brought before this assembly in an
environment of dialogue, exchange and mutual respect, even on
those occasions when there has been a divergence of opinions.
Grateful thanks also to the Grand Representatives who have represented
so well the name and the style of the GLRI abroad and to the Regional
Grand Masters who have played this difficult role with authority
and not authoritarianism. They have been like "good fathers"
and have been points of reference for the Brethren in each region
both in their Masonic and private lives.
Today we do not celebrate only the election of the Grand Maestro,
but we celebrate the realisation of an idea at work in each Lodge,
the real soul of the Obedience. I would like to personally thank
each Lodge and each Worshipful Master for the work done and for
being the life's blood of the Orders.
I will conclude by reflecting that these Lodges have produced
a remarkable number of high level research projects for which,
unfortunately, we have not been able to find space for in our
magazine which already contains the writings of the Lodges and
the written works of foreign Brethren with whom we have had the
honour and the pleasure of collaborating. Therefore, I think that
the moment has arrived to create another publication which will
collect the best work of the Brethren from various lodges to benefit
all who want to draw from this knowledge. It will be an additional
way to celebrate and encourage the commitment to participate,
each according to his gifts, in the dream of lifting the Gran
Loggia Regolare d'Italia always higher and closer to the noblest
idea of Freemasonry.
Thank you.
| 
