A Consistory in Scottish Rite is responsible for administering the 19º through the 32º. In addition to the work of the degrees, a special group of men within the Consistory has been appointed by the Commander to provide the necessary support that is an integral part of their continued success. This group is known as the Consistory Guard.

 

A courier could be known as any number of things: a messenger, a spy, a drug-runner, and a tour guide are the first possible occupations that probably come to mind. The Guard, however, has its own special courier who redefines the term for the purposes of the Consistory.

 

William Currier is the Captain of the Consistory Guard for the Valley of Boston. He reports directly to the Commander-in-Chief. He is very passionate about the work he helps facilitate, and he doesn’t take long to defer to the dedication of his fellow guards as the key to their success. But just what does the Consistory Guard do, anyway?

 

“If you can stand on your feet all day, then this a job you can do,” Currier says. The guardsmen have taken on a number of responsibilities over the years. One of the more prominent responsibilities they have assumed is escorting the Deputy of Massachusetts on his visits to all the Massachusetts Valleys.

 

“There’s very little we have not done on a Degree day,” Currier added, noting that the Commander has graciously given the guard a lot of added responsibilities over the years. A typical class in Boston starts at 6:30am with registration, and the guardsmen are on the premises in uniform ready to assist in any capacity it can by that time.

 

The Consistory Guard is responsible for running the novelty Masonic regalia table; the proceeds generated are donated to the Dyslexia Learning Centers, including the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Greater Boston that is dedicated to the memory of J. Philip Berquist (33º, MSA, Thrice Potent Master 1972-75).

 

The guardsmen also cover all eleven floors of the Grand Lodge on the day of a class. They make sure the stairwells are clear, serve as de-facto tylers for the degrees, and most especially, as couriers for the candidates. “We ensure that those who are receiving the degrees are where they are supposed to be,” Will said. Whether that involves helping them find a place to sit at dinner, helping set up the class photo, or transporting them from room to room within the building, they always make sure to lend a helping hand.

 

The job of a guard is not particularly glamorous: there’s virtually no ritual, there’s no hullabaloo about recognizing the men in chapeaus, no gold stars for daily services. For these men to do what they do at such a high level, they are able to display a passion for the mission of Scottish Rite Freemasonry that is unrivaled.

 

The guard is always out and about! You can catch them in action escorting the Deputy at the Valley of Lowell on January 4th. Contact the Captain, William Currier via e-mail or via phone at  617.426.6040 for more details.