| Society of Blue Friars | |
| Formation: | 1932 |
| Founder: | J. Raymond Shute II |
| Headquarters: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | Masonic organization |
| Website: | Official Website |
The Society of Blue Friars (SBF) is a Masonic organization established in 1932 with the explicit purpose of recognizing Masonic authors. It is widely regarded as one of the smallest and most distinctive appendant bodies within Freemasonry.[1]
The Society was founded in 1932 by J. Raymond Shute II. Its name, "The Society of Blue Friars," was chosen to convey both a sense of brotherhood ("Friar" being related to the French word for "Brother") and a connection to the monks of the Middle Ages, who were prolific authors of their time.
The Society operates with minimal formalities and regulations. It has no fixed ritual or ceremonies, no dues or fees, and very few records. The core of the organization consists of three officers:
The Grand Abbot has the authority to appoint new Friars, and their decisions are final. Additionally, only the Grand Abbot has the power to change the Society's regulations. The term "Abbot" and "Friar" were deliberately chosen to hark back to monastic traditions of the Middle Ages when monks wrote many of the books of their time.
Since 1944, the Society has held an annual meeting known as the "Consistory." This meeting takes place in Washington, D.C., each February, as part of the annual Masonic weekend sponsored by the Allied Masonic Degrees. The event is open to all Masonic Brethren.
During the annual meeting, the newly appointed Friar is officially proclaimed and is expected to present a research paper, showcasing their knowledge and expertise in Masonic subjects. In earlier years, these research papers were occasionally printed in the Miscellanea of the Allied Masonic Degrees. In recent times, they have been published in The Philalethes magazine. There are plans to potentially publish a collection of Blue Friar Lectures in the future.[4]
The Society of Blue Friars has a unique membership policy. According to its regulations, "One new Friar shall be appointed each year," but "additional Friars may be appointed to fill vacancies caused by demise or resignation when the total membership is not over twenty." As a result, the society maintains a small and selective membership.[5]
Prominent Masonic authors and researchers have been members of the Society of Blue Friars, including Ray V. Denslow, Harold V.B. Voorhis, Arthur E. Waite, S. Brent Morris, Rex R. Hutchens, Arturo de Hoyos, and Pierre G. "Pete" Normand, Jr.[6]
The Society of Blue Friars boasts an exclusive and distinguished roster of Masonic authors and researchers who have been recognized as Friars. This list provides information about some of the notable active Friars as of 2023:
Christopher L. Hodapp is a well-known Masonic author and researcher. He gained recognition as Friar #101 in the Society of Blue Friars in 2012. Hodapp is the creator of the widely read "Freemasons For Dummies" blog, established in 2006, which is a significant source of current international news about the Masonic fraternity.
In 2019, Christopher L. Hodapp was named Worshipful Master of the Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research in Indiana.
Alain Bernheim, an esteemed Freemason since 1963, held memberships in the Regular Grand Loge of Belgium and the Grand Lodge Alpina of Switzerland. He was also awarded the 33° by the Supreme Council of the United States (Southern Jurisdiction) and was elected a Chapter Knight of the Great Priory of Belgium. Furthermore, he was a member of the Royal Order of Scotland. Notably, he became the first French Freemason to be elected as a full member of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 under the United Grand Lodge of England. The Supreme Council of France recognized him as a Member of Honour in 2014 and awarded him the distinction of Grand Commander Honoris Causa in 2018.
Alain Bernheim was awarded the Norman Spencer Award by the premier Lodge of Research, Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, in 1986 and 1993. He also received the Certificate of Literature from the Philalethes Society (US) in 1997. In 2001, he was honored with the Albert Gallatin Mackey Scholar Award by the Scottish Rite Research Society (Washington, D.C.), which also elected him as a Fellow. In 2007, he was selected as a member of the Society of Blue Friars.