To Our Esteemed Sir Knights:

Grace and peace be with you from the Great Architect of the Universe.

It is with great pleasure that I send my first message to you as your Grand Commander.  Here I will share with you a vision I have for our jurisdiction that will help us serve others and in doing so, perhaps build bonds with our fraternal family.

Following in Christ’s Teachings:

In an effort to be of service to Christ and our fellow man we, have the opportunity to fulfill the sacred charge to:

1. Feed the hungry: Consider Feeding the Hungry by collecting donations for a local food pantry.   Open this event to all the masonic bodies that meet in your Masonic Building and/or Masonic District. You may also consider working with a local Eastern Star chapter, as this year the Special Project of the Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patrons is “Feeding America”.

2. Clothe the naked: Provide warmth, dignity, and protection to those who are exposed. Hold a clothing drive.  Clean out your closets and help others with basic human needs.  Many of the churches now have clothing receptacles that not only afford a means for getting these clothes to those who need them, but also helps raise funds for the Church.  A simple garment can restore a person's self-respect.

     Be sure to take pictures at these events and send them to the Grand Recorder for posting on the Grand Commandery Facebook page.  Be proud of your efforts to help others. 

3. Bind up the wounds of the afflicted: Think about how much good we all do through our Grand Encampment Signature Charity - the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. This charity supports eye research… in particular prevention of blindness in children.

Many Grand Commanderies have attained 100% Life Sponsor status for one or more years.  This requires each commandery to participate by ensuring that every member of each commandery is a Life Sponsor as of May 1^st of each year.  This is a one-time donation of $30.00 for each Sir Knight in your commandery.  Thank you to those commanderies who are regularly at 100% Life Sponsorship.  Wouldn’t it be great if we had 100% Life Sponsor status from 100% of our commanderies!  If you have any questions regarding your commandery’s status, please contact the Grand Generalissimo – S.K. John Ruggles.

Let these three duties be the focus of your labors in the coming season. This work is the true measure of our chivalry. Go forth, my Brothers, and let the light of your unwavering charity shine brightly upon a dark world.

Exemplifications, Inspections and Receptions of the Division Commanders: 

As you see this posting you should also see General Order #1 which details this years goals.  It should also be noted that Coeur de Lion Commandery is now part of the North Division and United Commandery is now part of the Metropolitan Division.

S.K. James Stone, REPGC, has developed a School of the Knight program to be delivered to each Division.  This will give you the basics necessary to properly perform the Pass and Review.  

Two important dates to add to your calendar:

1. Once again, the Grand Commandery will be hosting the Easter “SATURDAY” Service on April 4^th, 2026 at the Masonic Home in Charlton. It is my vision to have every commandery represented at this event with at least 4 Sir Knights so that we may parade – each commandery in order of precedence – with their banner in front of them, to the Auditorium for the Easter Service. Following the service, there will be a collation and social time.

We will video the parade of Commanderies and hope to see representation from EVERY Commandery. 

2. The 250^th anniversary celebrations of our great Country are underway. The Grand Commandery of MA/RI will also be celebrating this anniversary by holding a One Day Class on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the Worcester Masonic Building.

This is another opportunity for your commandery to share your degree work by offering to put on the Order of Red Cross or Order of Malta and receive inspection credit for it.

In honor of the 250^th anniversary, we have a special commemorative Red Cross Jewel for candidates who start their orders in this Commandery Year. These jewels will also be available to all Sir Knights for purchase. 

I wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving.  May the food and fellowship be plentiful, and may we share our increase with others!

In Hoc Signo Vinces.
Yours in Service to the Great Master of the Order,

S.K. Peter A. Randall
Grand Commander