ASRH 1807™
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Grand Orient of the United States of America

Tap to enter the Sovereign Grand Constitution of the Craft for the Grand Orient of the United States of America, preserving a French–Antillean Masonic tradition within its own constitutional framework and in fraternal respect toward other regular jurisdictions.

The Craft Line of the Rite

1744/1745–1761 — France and the New World: the early Morin root and French powers enter the Atlantic field.

1762–1768 — Bordeaux, Jamaica, and the Caribbean: the Royal Secret substrate, Francken transmission, and Hays context shape the wider current.

1787–1791 — Port-au-Prince, Saint-Domingue: Joseph Cerneau and La Réunion Désirée stand within the French-Antillean Masonic environment.

1806–27/28 Oct. 1807 — Cuba, the Spanish Antilles, and New York: the line enters its American constitutional frame.

1813–1816 — Paris and New York: the recognition-restoration claim and later acknowledgment mark the archival posture preserved by ASRH 1807™.

UNIVERSI TERRARUM ARCHITECTONIS MAGNI AD GLORIAM INGENTIS
Grand Orient of the United States of America Seal
SIT LUX ET LUX FUIT
Archival Date Markers · Sovereign Grand Constitution · Craft Government
Grand Orient of the United States of America
Of the Ancient Scottish Rite of Hérédom 1807™ · Sovereign Symbolic Jurisdiction
1744/45 · Morin Root 1761 · French Powers 1787–1791 · Saint-Domingue 1806–1807 · Cuba / New York 1813–1816 · Paris / New York 2019–Present · Custodianship

Declaration of Position:

The Grand Orient of the United States of America of the Ancient Scottish Rite of Hérédom 1807™ is a sovereign Grand Constitution and self-governing symbolic Masonic jurisdiction preserving a French–Antillean current traced through the archival date markers of 1744/1745, 1761, 1787–1791, 1806–1807, and 1813–1816.

It operates within its own constitutional framework and preserves the symbolic Craft degrees in accordance with its historical lineage, documentary continuity, and established principles. It is not subordinate to the Supreme Council of the Thirty-Third Degree; the two bodies occupy distinct constitutional spheres within the wider ASRH 1807™ system.

The Grand Orient does not assert territorial exclusivity, does not diminish any existing Masonic jurisdiction, and conducts its work with respect for the rights of other jurisdictions.

Its purpose is the preservation, practice, and transmission of Entered Apprentice, Fellow-Craft, and Master Mason within a lawful, self-governing symbolic structure.

The Grand Orient affirms the essential principles historically associated with regular Freemasonry: regularity of origin, belief in the Grand Architect of the Universe, the presence of the Volume of Sacred Law, male membership only, sovereign government of the Craft degrees, the prohibition of religion and politics within Lodge, and fidelity to the ancient landmarks, customs, and usages of the Craft.

In this way, the Grand Orient presents itself as a lawful and disciplined Masonic system preserving a particular historical current in peace, dignity, and fraternal respect.

Sovereign Grand Constitution

The Grand Orient of the United States of America is the sovereign symbolic Masonic jurisdiction for the Craft degrees within its own constitution. Its authority concerns Entered Apprentice, Fellow-Craft, and Master Mason, together with the lawful government, records, lodges, officers, and discipline proper to the symbolic Craft.

The Supreme Council of the Thirty-Third Degree preserves the philosophical and high-degree system of the Rite. The Grand Orient and the Supreme Council therefore stand in parallel constitutional relation: distinct in government, coordinated in heritage, and respectful of one another’s proper sphere.

Public Position: The Grand Orient is not a subordinate department of the Supreme Council. It is a sovereign Grand Constitution for the Craft, operating in peace, regularity, and constitutional order.

Leadership and Officers

The following public officer listing identifies the constitutional leadership of the Grand Orient. It is a public-facing leadership notice only and does not disclose private membership records, ballots, ritual proceedings, seals, signatures, or internal instruments.

Most Respectable Grand Master
T. J. Whitney
Right Respectable Deputy Grand Master
A. L. Guerra
Senior Grand Warden
J. Green
Junior Grand Warden
S. Ferguson
Grand Secretariat / Grand Guardian of the Seals and Archives
A. Alan Curátola de Melo
Grand Archivist
D. Jackson
Grand Master of Ceremonies
J. Quaile
Grand Chaplain
J. L. Folger
Grand Hospitaler
T. El
Grand Guardian of the Temple
D. Cronk

Craft Degrees of the Rite

The Grand Orient works the traditional Craft degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow-Craft, and Master Mason, preserving a stable and intelligible ritual form within its sovereign Grand Constitution.

These degrees are conferred by lawful personal initiation and are never treated as mechanical, simulated, or merely nominal forms. The symbolic Craft remains the necessary foundation of the Rite.

Government of the Craft

The Grand Orient is self-governing in the symbolic sphere and exercises independent authority over the Craft degrees within its own constitutional structure.

The symbolic government of the Craft is not confused with higher-degree jurisdictions. Clear constitutional distinction is maintained between the governance of the Craft and the government of additional rites or degrees.

Statement of Relations and Non-Interference

The Grand Orient of the United States of America does not interfere with or replace any established Masonic jurisdiction.

It does not solicit members from other jurisdictions, nor does it encourage the violation of Masonic obligations. Any Brother seeking affiliation is expected to act honorably and in good standing, and to regularize his position lawfully where required.

The Grand Orient acknowledges that recognition belongs to the sovereign judgment of each regular jurisdiction and therefore submits its constitutional and symbolic order to independent examination rather than presumption.

Where fraternal relations are possible, they are sought in dignity, peace, courtesy, and mutual respect.

Admission and Continuity

The Grand Orient preserves its symbolic work within the wider ASRH 1807™ record: Morin root and French powers, Caribbean transmission, Saint-Domingue activity, Cuba-to-New York transition, Paris/New York recognition-restoration claims, and modern custodianship from 2019 to the present.

Men of lawful age, sound moral character, and good report who seek initiation within this line may petition a Lodge working under the Grand Orient.

The Craft degrees are conferred solemnly and traditionally, with due petition, inquiry, ballot, obligation, and instruction. Admission is never treated as automatic, indiscriminate, or merely administrative.

The Grand Orient maintains records, charters, constitutions, and archival materials relating to its lineage and continuity, so that its claims may be capable of documentary examination.

Standards of Regularity and Fraternal Position

The Grand Orient of the United States of America of the Ancient Scottish Rite of Hérédom 1807™ affirms that it has ordered its symbolic constitution and practice in conformity with the principles historically articulated by the United Grand Lodge of England in its Basic Principles for Grand Lodge Recognition of 1929 and in its later statement on the Aims and Relationships of the Craft.

Accordingly, the Grand Orient affirms: regularity of origin; belief in the Grand Architect of the Universe and His revealed will; obligation upon or in full view of the open Volume of the Sacred Law; male membership only; sovereign and self-governing authority over the Craft or Symbolic Degrees; the constant presence of the Three Great Lights when at labor; the prohibition of religion and politics within the Lodge; and fidelity to the ancient landmarks, customs, and usages of the Craft.

The Grand Orient further affirms that Freemasonry is to be preserved as a moral, initiatic, and peaceable institution; that no superior power may override the proper government of the symbolic Craft; and that no innovation destructive of the ancient form and discipline of Masonry should be admitted.

The Grand Orient does not usurp or diminish the lawful sphere of any existing Masonic jurisdiction. It does not solicit members in violation of Masonic obligation, nor does it pursue disorderly expansion. It extends fraternal respect to regular jurisdictions and invites independent examination of its constitutional structure, ritual discipline, and documentary continuity.

Recognition, if ever granted, must be the free and sovereign act of each jurisdiction. The Grand Orient therefore presents itself not for controversy, but for fair examination according to the established principles of regular Freemasonry.

Regularity of Origin
The Grand Orient maintains that lawful Masonic authority must rest on valid origin and documentary continuity.
Belief in the Grand Architect of the Universe
Belief in the Grand Architect of the Universe and His revealed will is held as essential for membership.
Volume of the Sacred Law
Every obligation is taken upon, or in full view of, the open Volume of the Sacred Law.
Male Membership
Membership is restricted to men made Masons as men, and no Masonic association is maintained with bodies conferring Masonry upon women.
Sovereign Government of the Craft
The symbolic degrees are governed by the Craft within its own constitutional sphere and are not divided with any outside power.
The Three Great Lights
The Volume of the Sacred Law, the Square, and the Compasses are exhibited whenever the Grand Orient or its Lodges are at labor.
No Religion or Politics in Lodge
Religion and politics are excluded from discussion within the Lodge in order to preserve concord and peace.
Ancient Landmarks and Usages
The Grand Orient binds itself to preserve the ancient landmarks, customs, and usages of the Craft.
Fraternal Non-Interference
The Grand Orient seeks no territorial quarrel and conducts its work with respect for the rights of other jurisdictions.

Source Note

The foregoing standards are paraphrased from the United Grand Lodge of England, Constitutions of the Antient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons under the United Grand Lodge of England (London: Freemasons’ Hall, 2026), especially “Aims and Relationships of the Craft,” pp. x–xiii, and “Basic Principles for Grand Lodge Recognition,” pp. xiv–xv.

Chicago-style note: United Grand Lodge of England, Constitutions of the Antient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons under the United Grand Lodge of England (London: Freemasons’ Hall, 2026), x–xv.

MLA-style entry: United Grand Lodge of England. Constitutions of the Antient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons under the United Grand Lodge of England. Freemasons’ Hall, 2026.

Statement of Principle

By these standards, the Grand Orient of the United States of America of the Ancient Scottish Rite of Hérédom 1807™ affirms that regularity in the symbolic Craft is not a matter of fashion, rhetoric, or mere numerical succession, but of lawful constitution, valid initiatic transmission, moral seriousness, documentary continuity, proper symbolic government through its own Grand Constitution, and fidelity to the ancient principles of Masonry.

It therefore presents itself in a spirit of fraternal respect, peaceable conduct, and constitutional seriousness, preserving a distinct historical current while seeking no injury to the rights of others.