Veronica Billings

 

The Order of the Eastern Star - O.E.S

 

The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both men and women may belong. Eastern Star is a social order comprised of persons with spiritual values but it is not a religion. Its appeal rests in the true beauty of the refreshing and character-building lessons that are so sincerely portrayed in its ritualistic work. A deep fraternal bond exists between its members. It is the wholesome relationship of sisterly and brotherly love brought about through high principles exemplified in our lives which makes us near and dear to each other.

Queen Moremi Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star working under the Jurisdiction of Most Worshipful John G. Jones Grand Lodge Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, State of Louisiana mission is to exemplify the dignity and worth of a woman seeking grace, personal growth, maturity, prosperity, empowerment, creativity and a personal relationship with GOD. Their aim is to take “Good Women, and Make them Better” through a willingness to help the needy and remain active in serving the communities, through various fundraisers and charitable events. Queen Moremi Grand Chapter engages to watch over one another in sisterly love, to remember each other in prayer, to aid each other in sickness and distress, to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation. They strive to walk together in Christian love, fellowship with and support our chapter and promote the principles of God’s Holy Word!

While this is an Order composed of people of deep spiritual convictions, it is open to all faiths, except no faith. The personal welfare of our members is vital to all of those in the Eastern Star and it is considered a privilege to help another member whenever we can. For membership information, Please kindly visit our contact session.

 

General History

The Order of the Eastern Star is an adoptive rite of Freemasonry with teachings based on the Bible and objectives that are charitable and benevolent. The founder of OES was Dr. Robert Morris, a lawyer and educator from Boston, Massachusetts, who was a Master Mason and Past Grand Master of Kentucky. Dr. Morris intended his creation to become a female branch of Freemasonry, but he failed to overcome the great opposition this idea engendered. After his first published ritual in 1849-50, he became associated with Robert Macoy who wrote and published a ritual based on Morris' in 1867. The first Grand Chapter was organized in Michigan in the same year. (There is evidence for an organization of the same name founded variously in 1788 or 1793, but this group was defunct by 1867.) Subordinate (local) chapters operate under charter from state level grand chapters which are responsible to the General Grand Chapter at the International Eastern Star temple in Washington, D.C.

 

Members must be eighteen years or older and either Master Masons in good standing or properly related to a Master Mason in good standing. The latter category includes wives; widows; sisters; daughters; mothers; granddaughters; step-mothers; step daughters; step-sisters; and half-sisters. This was later expanded to include nieces, daughters-in- law, and grandmothers.

 

Each chapter has eighteen officers, some elected and others appointed. Two offices are specifically male (Patron and Associate Patron) while nine offices are specifically female (including Matron and Associate Matron). While the Worthy Matron is considered to be the presiding officer of the chapter, the degrees cannot be conferred without a presiding brother in good standing (hence the Patron and Associate Patron).

 

Each chapter retains the right to decide who shall be a member of the organization. Election to the degrees must be unanimous, without debate, and secret. The successful candidate must profess a belief in a Supreme Being and is initiated in five degrees, which are conferred in one ceremony. (When Eastern Star was created, it was intended to be the first of a three degree series. The second and third degrees were Queen of the South and the Order of the Amaranth, respectively.)

​

Membership

Who may join:  Only men who are Masons are eligible and only women with specific Masonic affiliation may be members.  These affiliations include:

• • Affiliated Master Masons in good standing

  • the wives

  • daughters

  • legally adopted daughters

  • mothers

  • widows

  • sisters

  • half sisters

  • granddaughters

  • stepmothers

• • stepdaughters

  • stepsisters

  • daughters-in-law

  • grandmothers

  • great granddaughters

  • nieces

  • great nieces

  • mothers-in-law

  • sisters-in-law

  • aunts

​

​

​

​

​