Join us for a presentation on Supernovae by Tim Puckett

Please RSVP at rsvp@gatecity2.org

Grand Master's to visit Gate City II

Brother E. Ray Knittel, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Georgia, will visit Gate City II on February 26, 2013.  Our previously scheduled program on the History of the Templars has been rescheduled to another night.

Dinner will begin at 6:30 PM and dinner will be accompanied by a violinist.  Meeting will start at 7:30 PM.

Gate City II is a Free and Accepted Lodge working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia.

The Brethren partake in the celebration of the 288th Anniversary of Peruvian Freemason Pablo de Olavide. The event was held in 3 locations: Lima, Peru; Fort Lauderdale, FL; and Atlanta, GA

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(left to right ) WBro. Victor Marshall, Bro. Carlos Leon, and WBro. Dan Genson)

(starting on the right) Patricia Montenegro, WBro. Christian Castro, WBro. David Lewellyn, Liza Lewellyn, Maggi Evans, Bro. Norman Evans, Deb Johnson, WBro. Victor Marshall and Bro. Carlos Leon take time out of the Olavide's Night Celebrations at Atlanta to pose for this picture.

Pablo de Olavide was considered the father of the Peruvian emancipation.(January 25, 1725 - February 25, 1803)

            Pablo Antonio de Olavide was born on January 25, 1725.  He studied under the direction of the Jesuits and at 15 had a doctorate in theology, both civil and Canon.  He was given access to the Chair of Theology Eve and then to the Master of the Sentences at the age of 17. Pablo de Olavide, was considered the father of the Peruvian emancipation in South America.  In 1742, he made contact with Jauregui Joseph a Native American figure/political figure who wanted to restore the Incan state of Tahuantinsuyo.  The English and Freemasons allegedly supported Joseph for this restoration. This is when Olivade had his first experience with Freemasonry.

            At the age of 20, Olivade was a lawyer in the Royal Court of Justice of Lima, Peru.  He was advisor to the Court of the Consulate, and also to the city council.  Shortly thereafter, his father made a 32 thousand pesos donation to the Crown and in appreciation of that donation and recognition of their efficient and effective judicial development, he was appointed Judge of the Audience.  

            On October 28, 1746, Lima suffered a strong earthquake that nearly destroyed the city and caused the death of his father and his sister.  He devoted himself to helping victims, removing rubble, and burying corpses and was given a Papal decree to do so.   For this very work, he was also designated by viceroy José Antonio Manso de Velaso to form a commission to fulfill this role.  He was also tasked with rescuing jewels and money from the destroyed mansions of which would be returned to their rightful owners.  He was also bound by Viceregal authority and was made Count of Superunda by King Fernando VI. 

            After having help rebuild the city of Kings and recovering it’s original appearance, de Olavide initiated and developed the building of three major works: 1). the lifting of the large votive Temple to the Virgin Nuestra Señora de Buen Soccorro, in charge of the minimum Franciscans; in the suburb of San Lázaro which was populated by black slaves and Freed men.  2). The creation of the votive Temple dedicated to the poor and segregated and 3). the total renovation of the Teatro Principal.

             Critics of Olivade suspected that he was working with the British and that he was part of a secret Masonic lodge of which they were searching.   He was, but because of the secrecy that was kept.  No documentation on members was allowed because the Inquisition was hunting them.  He was also prosecuted because of his reformist policies.  He used public funds for the benefit and service of the poor and refused to give the Church any public donations.  This did not bide well. 

            Pablo de Olivade was also dedicated in combatting the rebel Santos Atahualpa, but had to take the issue to Spain. Jurists who charged him with embezzlement used this time to attack him.  While on his trip, his enemies went before the Council of the Indies and also to the King himself to prosecute Olivade while he could not defend himself.  He was put in jail in 1754 in Madrid, Spain later pardoned in 1757 by King Fernando VI.  He was exiled from Lima. 

            For several years Olivade traveled to France and Italy where he met François-Marie Arouet; otherwise known as Voltaire. He spent a week at Voltaire’s farm in Geneva, he also had friendships with John Adams; then Ambassador of the rebellious colonies of North America in France and later the second President of the United States.

            Olavide’s reformist policies soon brought more attention from the Church.  One policy that he was known for what that he refused to allow a German monk to build a monastery in one of the Andalusian settlements to “help the wealthy Germans get into Heaven.”  The monk, Father Romault accused Olivade of speaking against the Catholic religion and transgressions against the Spanish clergy.  The inquisition charged him with blasphemy and heresy on November 14, 1776.  He had 78 witnesses against him saying he committed crimes against faith. 

            After a two-year process, he was sentenced to failing to disclose the alleged secrets of Masons and the names of its member.  He was considered a “formal heretic,” which expelled him from the Court, his property confiscated, all honors forbade, and was sentenced to eight years in a monastery, subject to penance.  After being tortured by the Inquisition and suffering the penance at the Monastory of Sahagún, León, Olivade was able to escape where he went to France in 1780. 

            After escaping to France, he changed his name to Count of Pylos to circumvent any extradition attempts.  He remained in Paris until the start of the revolution in 1789.  He was again imprisoned and tortured in 1794 by the Jacobin regime.  He was forced to repent and return to Catholicism. He was no longer the renegade Mason. With a pardon and authorization granted to him by King Carlos IV, he was able to return to Spain on November 14, 1798.  He was given a pension of 90 thousand reals, and all rights were restored. With his formal repentance, he was allowed to return to Lima the same year.  He was listed as a hero of the emancipation and died with his family on February 25^th 1803. 
Gate City Lodge No. 2 is a Free and Accepted Lodge working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Georgia. 

            

Gate City Lodge No. 2 - Fellowship / Pancake Breakfast

Tours of the Atlanta Masonic Center will also be given. This is a great opportunity to come out and learn about Freemasonry. Bring your family and friends. All Guests are welcome. $5.00 all you can eat!

Victor Marshall and Zeithlin Waters are Capped at Scottish Rite:

In a new capping ceremony given by the Valley of Atlanta, candidates from the latest class received their "Black Hats." Many of the new Masters of the Royal Secret were escorted by wives and family who would then cap them at the appropriate time. After the capping, Past Grand Master, Buster Horne, would then make it official by declaration.
Victor waits for his escort.
Beaux Pettys places Victor's cap on his head.
Buster Horne makes it official.

A gathering of over one hundred were there to witness the Capping ceremony for the new class. Well done on all accounts.

7th Annual Gate City Lodge Retreat scheduled for the Weekend of December 9th, Over Thirty Expected:

From seven in attendance at it's inception under the then incoming Worshipful Master Beaux Pettys, to an expected thirty under outgoing Worshipful Master Donald Hall, the Gate City Retreat has become one of the most anticipated staples of our great Lodge.

This year, our programs will include officer drilling, MELD programs, Catechism Coaching, and, of course, fellowship. Our Chefs will include David Llewellyn, Steff Beasley, and our young, up and coming counselor / Green Egg guru, Jason Graham. The foreseeable future is chocked full of great leaders for one of Georgia's most notable Lodges - and this is where they train. Three other Lodges will be represented, make yours one. Email us at rsvp@gatecitylodge2.org.

Gate City Series - History of the Universe at Fernbank Planetarium!

Gate City's well acclaimed Series of Masonic education keeps up pace with a new installment at the Fernbank Science Center Planetarium. -Yours truly will have to go off script here by saying, "wow, that's way outside the box. Incredible!"

This event will be held on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8TH at the Fernbank Science Center Planetarium (see link below for more information and address). Our very own Doug Hrabe will be giving us a brief overview of the history of the Universe and how its age was calculated. This will be followed by the Holiday Planetarium program called “Star of Wonder”.

We will serve dinner at the planetarium and it is open to all friends and family! If you plan to attend, please send an email to let us know you will be attending!

STAR OF WONDER
Thursday, December 8th
Dinner and History of the Universe Discussion at 7pm
Planetarium Show at 8pm
Show cost is $4 per person
Join us for a holiday tour of the starry winter sky. Not only will we trace the seasonal constellations of Orion, the hunter, and Taurus, the bull, but we’ll investigate the mystery behind the Star of Bethlehem. Was it a comet? Was it a supernova? Was it a meteor? We’ll use astronomy in an attempt to solve this timeless celestial mystery!
http://fsc.fernbank.edu/planetarium.htm

Please feel free to invite others who may be interested and have them contact me if they plan to attend. Please let me know if you have any questions.

I look forward to seeing you all there!

Donald Hall
Gate City Lodge #2
1690 Peachtree Street Northwest
Atlanta, GA 30309-2420
Building: (404) 874-8514
Cell: 678-852-3812
aegeas@mindspring.com