The Order of DeMolay teaches many important lessons, in particular the Seven Cardinal Virtues presented by our Preceptors. Of the seven, Filial Love, the love of a parent, is first among the jewels adorning the Crown of Youth.
Today we honor fatherhood, and most importantly, our own fathers: the men who have guided us to manhood.
Which is happier, man or boy?
The soul of the father is steeped in joy, For he’s finding out, to his heart’s delight, That his son is fit for the future fight.
For a son, a father is a great source of strength. In our early days, we may have seen our fathers as all-knowing, men we aspired to emulate.
As youth, we may not be aware of our father’s desires for us. We may not appreciate the tasks he tries to accomplish. And at times, we might find it difficult to communicate with our dad, thinking he does not understand us, our beliefs, even our speech.
But as we grow into young men, we are better able to see Dad’s side of the story and the joy a father experiences raising his son. Taking you by the hand, your father led you through the morning years of your life. He showed you the glories of God and a righteous path to adulthood. His reward is simple, to hear his grown son say, with pride, “This is my father.”
DeMolays refer to our male advisors as “Dad.” Our Chapter Dads are among those men who desire to guide us to manhood. In particular, those among us who have lost their fathers may look to our chapter Dads for advice and guidance — in much the same way as the fatherless Louis Lower looked to Dad Land, the founder of our Order, for an adult role model.
We, therefore, extend to our fathers and Chapter Dads the heartiest token of our appreciation as sons and as DeMolays.
Father, help us further to be good men.
Father, light our way the best you possibly can.
For when we reach the ripening years of manhood,
Teach us to live in the spirit of the universal Brotherhood.
My Brothers, give thanks and tribute to your father. Greet your Dad, smile and grip his hand firmly, and say: “Thank you, Dad, for all you have given me so far. With the help of the lessons of DeMolay, I hope to be worthy of your name.”
We ask this of you as a token of your appreciation for your father and of the manhood you seek.
Credits to Bro. Tito Cruz, Chevalier
