Original Vision Statement
May 21, 2016
Novus Veteris is a Masonic lodge that is the essence of a reformation of what lodges once were and still are in many parts of the world — small in numbers with comradery, formality, excellence, and high attendance. At the core of Novus Veteris is a fully balanced representation of the principal tenets of Freemasonry — brotherly love, relief, and truth.
Novus Veteris is a lodge that does not and will not own a building to maintain, manage, or rent but rather uses the time that would be spent on building management to further the pursuit of the principal tenets. Novus Veteris travels. It has a home base, which is set by a consensus of the Executive Committee. Still, meetings are held in varying locations, such as private rooms in restaurants and hotels and existing Masonic lodges all over San Diego County and Southern California.
Novus Veteris holds business meetings monthly, as required by the California Masonic Code. However, only five members (the Executive Committee or a representation thereof) are required to be present eight months out of the year, and quarterly reunions—extended business, information, ritual, and abundant knowledge—are the core focus. This ensures the Lodge respects every member’s time and lets everyone plan for the essential quarterly meetings.
Education and research are staples of Novus Veteris Lodge. Novus Veteris is not an esoteric research lodge, however, the pursuit of further light is one of its core focuses and three principal tenets along with brotherly love and relief. Social gatherings are scheduled monthly to continue to build strong bonds among the brethren in promoting brotherly love and to give prospects and interested affiliates the opportunity to meet with us. Traditional feasts, festivals, and solstices are observed and celebrated to promote the embodiment of Masonic ideals of knowledge, history, regularity, constancy, and order. Service or fund-raising projects are frequently selected so members can take part in relief efforts and promote a profound impact on society.
To promote the well-being of the fraternity and the craft, Novus Veteris will provide various services to local lodges. These services include ritual work (degree team), website and communications, lodge management and finance, and assistance with membership development. The founding members also desire to form a research lodge.
Novus Veteris practices ritual excellence and has traditions that are truly meaningful to its members.
Once Novus Veteris reaches a membership of between thirty and forty Masons, it is expected that splitting the lodge to start a new lodge will be explored.