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The York Rite
Sovereign College
of North America exists primarily to be of service to the York Rite
of Freemasonry. Constituent colleges must declare fealty to the Grand
Lodge of their respective jurisdictions. The pre-requisite for
membership, which is by invitation only, is good-standing in
all four York Rite bodies: Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery or
Preceptory (Canada.)
The reference for the
following
information is a pamphlet published by the York Rite Sovereign College
of North America.
"Whoever
would be great
among you must be your servant,
and whoever would be first among you must be your slave:
even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve."
--Matt.20:26-27-28
Origin
of
the College
The York Rite
Sovereign College
of North America came into being in the City of Detroit, Michigan
on January 6, 1957. It was the result of a meeting called by Richard W.
Lewis, Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons
of Michigan, and attended by the heads of the four Michigan York Rite
grand Bodies and a number of distinguished Masonic leaders from other
States. These founders, responding to a need that had long been
recognized in the York Rite, outlined the structure and purpose
of the new organization and arranged for its incorporation.
Purpose
The purpose of the
York Rite
Sovereign College of North America, as set forth in its Constitution
and By-Laws, are as follows:
- To foster a spirit of cooperation and
coordination
among each of the Bodies of York Rite Masonry.
- To assist in worthy efforts to improve
the
ritualistic and dramatic presentation of York Rite work.
- To conduct an education program in order
to inculcate
a
greater appreciation of the principles, ideals and programs of York
Rite Masonry.
- To strengthen York Rite Masonry in every
possible
manner.
- To build up a love of country and to aid
and support
genuine Americanism.
- To reward outstanding service to York
Rite Masonry by
awards, honors and other methods of proper recognition.
- To support Charitable and Benevolent
Endeavors of
Freemasonry.
York Rite Colleges
The first York Rite
College was
constituted on June 15, 1957 in the City of Jackson, Michigan. From
here,
the new organization spread rapidly from coast to coast and from north
to south and by 1970 Colleges had been established in fourteen States
and one Province of Canada. According to the Fall 1996 edition of the
York Rite Crusader, the number of Charters have reached number 176.
Membership in a College is by invitation, and is restricted to those
who hold membership in all of the
other York Rite bodies. Since the primary object of every College is to
foster a spirit of service and to promote and support the York Rite in
every way possible, it is no surprise to find many of the leaders of
the Craft numbered among its ranks. Here they find a common ground from
which the can act for the welfare of all York Rite bodies without
special favor to any. Colleges have been active in the organization of
York Rite Festivals, degree teams, drill corps, and many other
functions, which serve to assist, coordinate,
and unify the Rite.
Awards
of
the Sovereign College 
The York Rite
Sovereign College
of North America is the supreme governing body for all Colleges within
its jurisdiction. As such, it endeavors to promote all those activities
that favor the accomplishing
of its stated purpose. Among these is the awarding of certain honors
for outstanding service.
The Gold Honor Award may be given to any Mason for unselfish and
faithful service in any branch of the York Rite. The recipient need not
to be a member of a College, nor is it required that he be a member of
all the other York Rite bodies.
The
Order
of the Purple Cross (opc) 
The Order of the
Purple Cross of
York, the highest honor of the College, is conferred upon those members
of the College who have distinguished themselves by their service to
humanity or to the Rite. The recipients are designated Associate
Regents of the Sovereign College and from their ranks are chosen the
Regents or active members of that body.
The Sovereign College meets in General Assembly once each year,
generally in late July or early August.
For further
information, please CONTACT
the San Diego York Rite College.
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