On April 26^th, DeMolays throughout Region I gathered at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Cranston, RI for the degrees in opening Gaspee Chapter. An all star cast of officers were assembled by the Region I Cabinet Member to perform both degrees of our Order in honor of the Grand Master of Masons in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, M.W. Russell R. Davis.

In attendance were over 50 DeMolays from 5 of the 7 jurisdictions in Region I; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Of the five, four took part in the degrees. Seven candidates joined the Order of DeMolay, one from Lowell Chapter in Lowell, MA, one from Upper Valley Chapter in Cornish, NH, and five from Gaspee Chapter in Cranston, RI.

Dad Michael Lawson and M.W. Russell R. Davis have worked tirelessly over the past year to help Rhode Island DeMolay grow once again with the promise of a bright future. With the assistance of the Grand Master and all members of the International Supreme Council that were present, the Executive Officer of Rhode Island DeMolay, Dad Michael Lawson, was presented with his gold collar as an Active Member of the International Supreme Council.

A few special ceremonies were performed duirng the afternoon, of which made many weep. An excellent rendition of the Flower Talk and Mothers Watch was performed by Brothers Steven M. Knott, Jr., the State Marshal of Massachusetts DeMolay, and Alexander Dyer, the State Senior Deacon of Massachusetts DeMolay. Also, the Ceremony of Light was performed by Brother James P. Cavanaugh, II, the State Master Councilor of Connecticut DeMolay.

However, one of the greatest stories of the afternoon was a DeMolay joining in honor of the Grand Master; a grandson joining in honor of his grandfather. Very rarely does a member of the Order of DeMolay have the opportunity to join in honor of a Grand Master. But, it is almost unheard of that a grandson joins in honor of his grandfather. Alan, the Grand Master’s grandson, had the opportunity to join the Order of DeMolay in honor of his grandfather which made the afternoon that much more special for M.W. Russell R. Davis.

The District Deputy Grand Master, Bro. Peter Icobucci, made remarks on how he was enlightened by this magnificent day. The piece of ritual that touched Bro. Icobucci the most was the line in the Ceremony of Light, “If you can make this light shine upon another, if you can reach into the innermost depths of his soul and set his flame afire, then therein lies the purpose of the Order of DeMolay, and therein lies your purpose of living.” He said that he had been in the darkness about DeMolay and that his flame was now set afire.

When a DeMolay can reach into the innermost depths of someone’s soul and set their flame afire, then therein lies the purpose of the Order of DeMolay, and therein lies our purpose of living. A day such as this truly solidifies that we are Brothers without Borders!