Happy Birthday DeMolay

05 August 23

In 2019 the Order of DeMolay celebrated its 100th anniversary

In 1919 a group of nine young men were destined to form a great youth organisation which on its 100th anniversary is represented on five continents and in 25 countries. e Order of DeMolay focuses on developing young men between the ages of 12 and 21 into leaders of high character, and teaching young men to live their lives by the seven core values of Respect, Reverence, Courtesy, Comradeship, Fidelity, Cleanliness and Citizenship.

In June 2019, the Supreme Grand Master, Dad Trevor Green, along with several Supreme Council members of the Order of DeMolay Australia, travelled to the birthplace of the Order in Kansas City, Missouri to attend the Centennial Sessions and place a brick in the newly built Centennial Courtyard on behalf of all Australian DeMolays to commemorate Australia’s place in the Order’s history.

On 24 March 2019, DeMolay Officers, dignitaries and families Australia-wide had also celebrated the centennial in great style with reminiscences of times of old, and a lot of enthusiasm about future growth. The recent dedication and installation of a new chapter in Blacktown on the 28th of July, saw over 120 familiar and new faces witness a performance of young and old that that brought tears to people’s eyes. Brother Joshua Francis Co was expertly installed in the chair as the Master Councillor of the newly formed ‘Phoenix Blacktown Chapter’ by Dad Ferdinand Pandes.

At this point, Ms Val London, a senior member of the Order of Rainbow Girls and heavily involved in support of the Order of DeMolay, donated to the chapter a Marshall’s Baton made by her late husband. (The current Marshall proudly carries it throughout his duties.) Another tearjerker was the ‘Tribute to Mother’ by Bro Ariel Becina PMC, dedicated to the many present and past mums. Dad Gene Capistrano gave us a fine rendition of the ‘Ceremony of Lights.’

The Supreme Grand Master Dad Trevor Green warmly welcomed the dignitaries and thanked them for their attendance and support. The welcome was appropriately responded to by the MW Grand Master, Most Worshipful Bro Derek Robson AM.

In closing, Dad Frank Sherman Land repeated the fine motto that is often quoted within and outside DeMolay circles; ‘No DeMolay shall fail as a citizen, as a leader and as a man.’

For more about the Order, see the website at www.demolay.org.au.

At the ceremony, Jayden Alexander Tayag presented Desiderata by Max Ehrmann. The poem reflects on DeMolay’s tenets and principles.

_Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Jayden Tayag has delivered the poem "Desiderata" word perfect a number of times, which has left his audiences amazed at his ability to tell such an engaging story.