History of Cryptic Masonry in Italy: Monday November 23, 2020 at 9pm CET (GMT+1)

History of Cryptic Masonry in Italy: Monday November 23, 2020 at 9pm CET (GMT+1)

On Monday November 23, 2020 at 9pm Central European Time, Libertas Council 1 in Milan, Italy will be hosting a video conference with a presentation by Most Illustrious Companion Franco Valgattarri on “The History of Cryptic Masonry in Italy”. All Cryptic Masons are invited to attend. The main presentation will be done in Italian and the Q&A at the end will be done in Italian and translated into English.

If you are interested in attending, you can register using the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkc–srjMtHdW65NnJQS7NpSeWaCTngPKP

Most Illustrious Companion Franco Valgattarri is a Honorary Grand Master of the Grand Council of the Cryptic Masons of Italy. He has written the Italian Section of the IV Volume of the History of Royal Arch in 1996, “The History of the York Rite in Italy”, the first volume (225 pages) was published in 2004 and “The Action of the York Rite for the Rescue of the Grand Orient of Italy”, 255 pages published in 2012. He also translated Frederick Speidel’s “The York Rite of Freemasonry” into Italian in 2010 under the title “L’Eredità Templare nella Massoneria”.

Most Illustrious Companion Valgattari’s full bios is below:

Born on Apr. 25, 1933, in Prata (Grosseto – Tuscany – Italy). Married to Marisa (1965), a school teacher. They have two sons, Guido (1966) and Sergio (1968), both graduated at Milan University, the first in Chemistry, the second in Aerospace Engineering. Five grand sons were born from them.

Graduated in the University of Siena, with a degree in Low, he was employed 37 years with Montedison s.p.a. and with G.T.E. Telecom., in the last 24 years as Personnel Manager. Now retired, he lives in Milan, in Viareggio (on the see), or at Prata (Tuscany).

Masonic Lodge.

He received on Jul. 2, 1955 his degrees in the Blue Lodge “Vetulonia” No. 123, at Massa Marittima.

He was the W. Master in the “E. Nathan” Lodge No. 45 in Milan, for three years: 1984, 1985 and 1986. He is still a Member in this Lodge.

Honorary Member of Camp Knox Lodge No. 918 in Radcliff, Kentucky (U.S.A.)

Honorary Grand Master of the Grande Loja Regular de Portugal (2013).

Veteran (over 65 years).

Capitular Masonry.</p< He was exalted on Feb. 15, 1965, a Companion in “Acacia” Chapter R.A.M. No. 1 in Milan, and served as Treasurer from 1973 to 1976; as King from 1976 to 1979, as High Priest from 1979 to 1982.

High Priestwood in 1984.

In the Italian Grand Chapter R.A.M., he was the Grand Chaplain in 1980-81, the Grand Scribe from 1992 to 1995. The Grand High Priest of Italy in 1998, 1999, 2000, till may 2001.

In attendance at Triennal Convocations of the General Grand Chapter of R.A.M. International in: Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Sept. 8-10, 1981); Wichita, Kansas (Oct. 31 – Nov. 3, 1999) where he held a report, in his service of Grand High Priest of Italy; Rapid City S.D., (Oct. 2005); Indianapolis, IN, where he received the Silver Medal for Distingushed Service. (Aug, 28-30, 2008)

Life Member of the General Grand Chapter R.A.M. International.

General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Gold Card Club Permanent Member.

Certificate of Appreciation of the General Grand Chapter as recognition for the literary contribution, being the author of Italian Section in the History of Royal Arch Masonry, Vol. IV, in 1996.

Honorary Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Portugal and Honorary Past Grand High Priest of Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Monaco.

He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Chapters R.A.M. of Massachusetts and of the Philippines near the Grand Chapter of Italy.

Veteran (over 55 years).

Cryptic Masonry.

He was greeted a Cryptic Mason on Dec. 9, 1971, in “Libertas” Council No. 1 in Milan, in which he was Deputy Master (1985-1986) and Illustrious Master (1987-88).

Silver Trowel.

Grand Treasurer of the Grand Council of the Cryptic Masons of Italy in the years 1979-80-81, he was in attendance as Representative of Italy at Triennal Convocation of the General Grand Council Cryptic Mason International, in Cedar Rapids, IA, in September 1981.

Honorary Grand Master of the Grand Council of the Cryptic Masons of Italy (2018).

Knights Templar.

He was dubbed a Knight Templar in “Heidelberg” Commandery No. 2 of Germany, on Jan. 7, 1977.

In the “Carroccio” Commandery No. 1 of Milan (the first Italian Commandery, whose building he was one of three promoter) he was Generalissimo (1978-1980) and Eminent Commander in the years 1981, and later, in 1985, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90 and 1991.

The introduction and the growth of the Templary in Italy was quite the result of his work.

On May 7, 1995, he was elected the Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Italy and re-elected in 1966 and 1967.

Life Member of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America.

He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Commandery of Washington near the Grand Commandery of Italy.

Honorary Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Portugal.

He was in attendance as representative of the Italian Commanderies and, later, of the Grand Commandery of Italy, and exposed a report at 56th, 57th, 58th, 60th, 61st. Triennal Conclaves of the Grand Encampment.

Being in attendance at 62nd Triennal Conclave in St. Louis, in August 2003, he was appointed as the European Representative on the Foreign Relations Committee of the Grand Encampment of the United States of America.

Past Coordinator of the Grand Encampment near the Grand Commandery of Italy.

Red Cross of Constantine.

Having been knighted in Pittsburg on Feb. 11, 2002, he introduced the “Red Cross of Constantine” Order in Italy, founding three Conclaves under the United Grand Imperial Conclave of Red Cross of Constantine of the U.S.A., of which he is was Italian Intendant General from 2002 to 2013.

Scottish Rite.

He received the Scottish Rite Degrees in the Valley of Olona, Milan, since Mar. 17, 1977.

Allied Masonic Degrees.

He was in attendance at Masonic Week in Washington every year, since February 1996, when he received the membership in:

the Grand College of Rites of the U.S.A.;

the Grand Master’s Council;

the Great Chief’s Council;

the Order of Excellent Master in Washington DC;

the Order of the Secret Monitor;

the Grand Council of Knight Masons of the United States of America.

Historical and Literary Works.

Writer of many masonic articles, he was also the Author of Italian Section on the IV Volume of the History of Royal Arch, edited in 1996 by Bicentennial History Committee of the General Grand Chapter and received the Certificate of Appreciation of the Gen. Grand Chapter R.A.M. for this assistance.

He is the Author of:

“The History of the York Rite in Italy”, whose the first volume (225 pages) has been published in 2004.

“The Action of the York Rite for the Rescue of the Grand Orient of Italy” (pages 255), Milan, 2012.

He translated and cared the Italian Edition of Frederick Speidel’s The York Rite of Freemasonry, edited in Italy in 2010 under the title “L’Eredità Templare nella Massoneria”.

The Rituals of Italian Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery have been fully compilated and corrected again by him, with the addition of a short form, proposed by him.

Masonic Honours.

Grand Orient of Italy: “Giordano Bruno” Order. Two decorations (Silver Class and Bronze Class.)

National Grand Lodge of Romania: The “Sever Frentiu Medal”.

Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Italy: “Chiave di Volta High Order” in Gold.

Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Italy: “Maestro del Nono Arco”.

Grand Commandery of K.T. of Italy: “Baculus” in Gold

Civic Activities. Politics.

He was elected a Member of the Municipal Council of Massa Marittima from 1956 to 1960.

He was frequently a Member of several Municipal Boards in Milan, during last 30 years.

He was elected a Member of the Provincial Council of Grosseto, from 1990 to 1995, where he was the Chief of Republican Group and the Chairman of three Committees (Industry, Agriculture and Statute).

Civic Honours.

Official Knight of Italian Republic;

Master of the Work;

Medal in gold of Milan Municipality (“Ambrogino d’Oro”).