DEMOLAY IN BRAZIL ALBERTO MANSUR, 33ø Grand Master of The Supreme Council, International Order of DeMolay Rua Barao, 1359, Rio de Janeiro 21321 Brazil AS THE FOUNDER of the Order of DeMolay, Frank Sherman Land, 33ø, GþCþ, always used to say: "It is the beginning that is most important." So it was with the first steps along the long road towards installing the Order of DeMolay in Brazil. Although I was initiated into Freemasonry in 1950, it wasn't until 1970, the 50th anniversary of the Order, that I heard of DeMolay. At that moment I became possessed by a dreamto bring DeMolay to Brazil. It would fill a gap in traditional Brazilian Masonry, one that I never agreed with, whereby there was an absolute lack of young people within our Brotherhood. For a decade I spread the news of DeMolay throughout Brazil via letters, talks, newspaper articles, and bulletins. Enthusiasm grew, but no official action could be taken until 1979 when I met then DeMolay Grand Master, C. C. "Buddy" Falkner, 33ø, in Boston. This great and enthusiastic leader immediately authorized me to found the Order of DeMolay in Brazil and made me the Executive Officer. I began translating the DeMolay Rituals into Portuguese. Soon my dream was a reality. On August 16, 1980, we installed the first Chapter of the Order of DeMolay in Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro, with 59 candidates and under the sponsorship of The Supreme Council, 33ø, Scottish Rite of Brazil. I had the added pleasure of seeing my own son, Jorge Alberto Mansur, installed as Master Councilor. Thus on a very personal level I saw fruition of my desire to bring young people into our Brotherhood, an event that otherwise would have been impracticale. On April 12, 1985, when we were visited by International Grand Master Don W. Wright for the installation of The Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay in Brazil, there were 26 Chapters with more than 3,000 initiates. Now, after 11 years in existence, we have 134 Chapters in operation, with some 10,000 young people. Taking into account an average of 10 Advisors per Chapter, we presently have 1,500 adult Advisors. We can state that many DeMolays, a needed source of new blood, become Freemasons when they reach age 21. Despite our successes, we are still pressing forward with our program whose main long-term objective is to found a Chapter in each of the 3,000 cities where there is a Blue Lodge. Presently, we have Chapters in cities located along the border with Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia. A number of young people from these countries have been initiated, leading to the possibility that in the near future an Order of DeMolay can be installed in these Jurisdictions. The growth we have experienced is through the fulfillment of a definite need in our society by the Order of DeMolay. Both past and present Brazilian Grand Masters have shared this view and added their prestige and leadership to our efforts. In particular, the profound knowledge of their Jurisdictions allows the Grand Masters to designate those youths most interested in DeMolay work. We also believe that young people themselves are the best spokesmen for the Order of DeMolay. Toward this end, we have created an introductory program presented to Blue Lodges. Announced in advance, the Blue Lodge is made into an open session for invited guests, especially spouses of Freemasons who generally form the Women's Section of the Lodges. Participation by spouses has always been fundamental. They are not merely in charge of refreshments at festivities, but also take an active part in the movement. We urge them to speak up at the open sessions, to present ideas, discuss and give their opinion about the various activities of the Chapter. My wife Celia is a good example of this participation. She often talks about the importance of the Order of DeMolay and the work to be done, constantly reminding Freemasons of the enormous responsibility they have in setting an example for youths. In recognition of her active participation during these first 10 years of the Brazilian Order of DeMolay, she has been named "Stepmother of the Order of DeMolay in Brazil." We are doing everything possible to emphasize the fact that the Order of DeMolay is under the aegis of Masonry, thus showing that we are concerned about young people, the cornerstone of future generations. By closely and intrinsically linking the prestigious name of Freemasonry to the DeMolay movement, we are putting into practice the famous A.I.D.A. of marketing textbooks, drawing Attention while awakening Interest, Desire, and Action - basic factors for the success of any program. Once we have captured attention and interest, it will be easy for us to obtain desire and action because there is no family, community, or authority that is not profoundly interested in and hopeful of seeing the morals and goals Freemasonry advances become an integral part of society. Masonic sponsorship of the Order of DeMolay has been and will continue to be the key to success. In every pronouncement, every item of printed matter, publication, and even on shirts made for the DeMolay Chapters, we can see highlighted SPONSORED BY THE FREEMASONS. Early this year, under the sponsorship of large companies, we placed billboards in strategic locations around Rio de Janeiro, offering our congratulations to the new President- elect of Brazil and wishing him every success. The Square and Compasses, the universal symbols of Masonry, were clearly visible, along with the crown logo of the Order of DeMolay and, once again, the phrase SPONSORED BY THE FREEMASONS, as well as the telephone number of our Supreme Council. This publicity brought us positive results in the form of 120 requests for initiation, many inquiries about Masonry, and official recognition of our work on behalf of young people by the Brazilian Minister of Justice. It is important to realize that at the same time as we place emphasis on this sponsorship by Freemasonry, we also wish to make it very clear that the Order of DeMolay is not restricted to sons or other relatives of Freemasons. Our doors are open to everyone who is interested. This aspect has been amazingly successful with positive results for the Order of DeMolay and Freemasonry as well. Considering that 40 percent of our young DeMolays are not related to Freemasons, this means that more than 4,000 Brazilian families are familiar with Masonry, with the evident result that many parents, relatives, and friends have shown an interest in our Masonic Brotherhood and are currently initiates and active members. The Order of DeMolay has currently gained legal recognition as an Association of Public Interest. Through Rio de Janeiro municipal and state law, the 18th of March has been officially designated as "BRAZILIAN DEMOLAY YOUTH DAY." At the most recent Assembly of the Brazilian Confederation of Symbolic Masonry, the Order of DeMolay was included as a fundamental item for reaching the objective under the heading of "Revitalization of Freemasonry." Many Grand Masters have officially exempted Senior DeMolays being initiated into Freemasonry from paying fees. I believe that the most significant advice I can offer is based on my own experience. For 14 years I held the position of Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite in Brazil; while in office I visited hundreds of cities throughout the entire country. In every one of them I was received with due honors within the Masonic community. Unfortunately, however, these visits produced little public interest. I noted a great difference when I again visited these cities as Grand Master of the Order of DeMolay, the bearer of a message of optimism and hope on behalf of Brazilian youth. Here was a member of Freemasonry, a harbinger of good news regarding the betterment of our young people. Here was a Freemason concerned with the problems troubling youth, someone who had come for the purpose of cooperating with the local community, families, and authorities so as to install a new Chapter of the Order of DeMolay and prepare young people for their destiny of being our successors. This attitude of Masonry was well received and comprehended, motivating the people to an unprecedented degree. Not only Masonic Brethren, but community leaders, civil and military authorities, young people and their families, and representatives from the local media - reporting throughout their entire area of coverage - turned out for the event, thus boosting the prestige of the Order of DeMolay and Masonry. We must continue with our charitable work, investing millions of dollars to assist the sick and needy, while also maintaining hospitals, homes, and research centers. But let us also raise the flag of the Order of DeMolay in support of young people, public schools, patriotism, and harmony among families. Then we shall see legions of men and women marching beside us in the struggle for this ideal. In 1990 we celebrated the centennial of the birth of Frank S. Land, this inspired benefactor of mankind, founder of the Order of DeMolay, who for 72 years has been inspiring youths all over the world. Frank S. Land's dream is still alive in Brazil and throughout the free world. We believe DeMolay to be the great bastion of support for Masonry as it carries our beloved Craft forward into the approaching century! Author's Note: As a token of our gratitude, I would like to name a group of Illustrious Freemasons and North American friends who throughout the years have been my dedicated Councilors and hardworking collaborators: George E. Burow, Sidney Baxter, Stanley F. Maxwell, Francis G. Paul, John McNaughton, Henry C. Clausen, C. Fred Kleinknecht, Lester Israel, Marvin A. Comer, Teddie Harrison, James Rogers, and many others who shall live eternally in the history of the Order of DeMolay in Brazil and forever in our hearts.