The Cryptic Degrees take their name from the secret vault at the heart of their lessons, and are conferred by the Council of Royal and Select Masters.
Meetings
Fourth Thursday of each month (second Thursday in November and December) · Meal 6:00 pm, meeting 7:00 pm
York Rite Building, 5625 Villa Dr., Lubbock, Texas
The Cryptic Degrees
The Council confers three Degrees, which fill in the story between the loss of the Word in the Lodge and its recovery in the Chapter. Their history is itself something of a mystery. In the early United States they were worked variously by their own Councils, by Royal Arch Chapters, and even by Lodges of Perfection of the Scottish Rite. Today, all business is conducted in the Select Masters Council, and the other two bodies are opened only to confer their Degrees.
Royal Master
The lessons of patience and fortitude
The Degree centers on the Fellowcraft artificers who made the fittings and furniture of the Temple. Unusually, its first part takes place before the death of Grand Master Hiram Abif and its last part after it.
Select Master
The lessons of devotion and zeal
The Degree tells of the building of a secret vault beneath the Sanctum Sanctorum, where the three ancient Grand Masters deposited the secrets of the Craft. It bridges the concealment and loss of the Ineffable Word and the events that lead to its recovery in the Royal Arch.
Super Excellent Master
The lessons of loyalty and faithfulness
The Degree portrays the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Chaldeans, set between the court of Zedekiah and the court of Nebuchadnezzar, with interludes of prophecy that point from the end of the first Temple to the building of the second.
Officers for 2026–2027
- Thrice Illustrious MasterJeff Goolsby
- Right Illustrious Deputy MasterJohnny Davis
- Principal Conductor of the WorkJeremy Hogan
- Captain of the GuardSteven Soliz
- Conductor of the CouncilJason Singleton
- TreasurerJames Clark
- RecorderTanner Cooper
- ChaplainJ. W. Jolly
- StewardJody Slaughter
- SentinelBrent Simpson
Join us
Royal Arch Masons in good standing may petition the Council. Visiting Companions are always welcome.
Questions? Email us at YorkRiteLubbock@gmail.com.