Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Fœderatis

Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Fœderatis
Successor	SRIL (Portugal) SRIG (France) SRIR (Romania)
Formation	September 21, 1880
Type	Freemasonry; Rosicrucianism; Christian mysticism; Esotericism
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Location	United States;
Membership	Christian Master Masons only (by invitation)
Main organ	High Council
Publication	Ad Lucem; The Rosicrucian Fama
Parent organization	Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia (1879-1880)
Website	https://sricf.org/info/

The Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Fœderatis (SRICF; Latin for "Rosicrucian Society in the United States") is a Rosicrucian society that limits its membership to Christian Master Masons. Founded in 1880, it is the official American branch of the Societas Rosicruciana tradition and operates in amity with similar societies in England, Scotland, France, Portugal, and Romania.^[1]

History

Formation

The SRICF's origins can be traced to 1878 when three American Master Masons—Charles E. Meyer, Daniel Sutter, and Charles W. Parker—traveled to England seeking admission into the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA). On July 25, 1878, they were initiated into the Grade of Zelator at Yorkshire College in Sheffield.^[2] After unsuccessfully seeking a charter from the English society, they turned to the Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia (SRIS), which granted them a charter on December 27, 1879, establishing the first American college in Philadelphia. A second charter was granted for a New York college, and on April 21, 1880, members from both colleges met in Philadelphia to form a High Council.^[2] The organization was initially known as Societas Rosicrucianae Reipublica Confoedera America (SRRCA). The name was later changed to "Society of Rosicrucians in the USA" under Supreme Magus Shryock, and finally Latinized to its current form in 1934 by Dr. William Moseley Brown during Most Worthy Frater Hamilton's regime.^[3]

Organization

Structure

The SRICF is governed by the High Council, which dropped "Grand" from its title in 1911. The Council comprises Fratres of the Third Order (IX° and VIII°) and College Celebrants not in the Third Order. The Supreme Magus heads the society and, since 1991, is elected every three years rather than serving for life.^[3]

Colleges

Local bodies are termed "Colleges" and are led by Chief Adepts (IX°) appointed for three-year terms, with a maximum of three terms. Unlike its English counterpart, SRICF Chief Adepts do not have regional powers. Generally, there is one college per state, with exceptions made for New York and California due to their size and population.^[4]

Membership

Membership is strictly invitational and limited to Master Masons who profess Christian faith. Each college is limited to 72 members. New members must:^[1]^[5]

Be regular mainstream Master Masons
Profess Christian faith
Select a distinctive Latin motto
Declare non-membership in non-Masonic Rosicrucian organizations
Receive an invitation to join (Invitation only group)

Grade Structure

Overview

The SRICF employs a nine-grade system divided into three distinct orders. Each grade represents specific stages of spiritual, philosophical, and masonic development.^[2]^[6]

Grade System

Grade Structure of the Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Fœderatis
Order	Grade	Title	Regalia Colors	Jewel Type	Focus
First Order (Learning Grades)	I°	Zelator	Green Ribbon	Silver Bar	Foundation Studies
	II°	Theoricus	Green Ribbon	Silver Bar	Theoretical Knowledge
	III°	Practicus	Green Ribbon	Silver Bar	Practical Application
	IV°	Philosophus	Green Ribbon	Silver Bar	Philosophical Studies
Second Order (Teaching Grades)	V°	Adeptus Minor	Green Ribbon	Silver Bar	Initial Adeptship
	VI°	Adeptus Major	Green Ribbon	Silver Bar	Advanced Teaching
	VII°	Adeptus Exemptus	Green Ribbon	Silver Bar	Mastery
Third Order (Ruling Grades)	VIII°	Magister	Gold Ribbon	Gold Bar	Administration
Third Order (Ruling Grades)	IX°	Magus	Red Ribbon	Gold Bar & Crown	Leadership

Jewel Specifications

Grade Range	Jewel Description
I° - VII°	Silver bar with "S.R.I.C.F." letters, green ribbon and grade jewel
VIII°	Gold bar with "S.R.I.C.F." letters, yellow ribbon and special jewel
IX°	Gold bar with "S.R.I.C.F." letters, red ribbon, crown and distinctive jewel

International Relations

The SRICF maintains amity with several international Rosicrucian societies:^{[citation needed]}

Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia (SRIS)
Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA)
Societas Rosicruciana in Canada (SRIC)
Societas Rosicruciana in Lusitania (SRIL) - Portugal
Societas Rosicruciana in Gallia (SRIG) - France
Societas Rosicruciana in Romania (SRIR)

References

^ ^a ^b "Info". www.sricf.org.
^ ^a ^b ^c "History & Origin of the Society". Texas College, SRICF.
^ ^a ^b Lindez, D. "Description". Traveling Templar.
^ "About the Society". Ohio College, SRICF.
^ The Rosicrucians: The History, Mythology, and Rituals of an Esoteric Order. Weiser Books. September 1998. ISBN 978-0-87728-920-3.
^ https://lasricf.org/

External links

[sricf.org-1] "Info". www.sricf.org.

[formation-2] "History & Origin of the Society". Texas College, SRICF.

[lindez-3] Lindez, D. "Description". Traveling Templar.

[about-4] "About the Society". Ohio College, SRICF.

[5] The Rosicrucians: The History, Mythology, and Rituals of an Esoteric Order. Weiser Books. September 1998. ISBN 978-0-87728-920-3.

[6] ttps://lasricf.org/

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