Program

What is the MRF Symposium?
The MRF Symposium is a meeting place for Masons who are seeking the highest form of Masonic experience they can attain within their lodges, while strictly conforming to the laws, resolutions, and edicts of their respective grand lodges. It is a gathering for those who pursue quality in the Craft to share ideas and discuss their work. The Symposium begins on Friday evening at 7:30 PM, with a Harmony in the Lower Level Dining Room, and concludes before noon on Sunday. As always, we have assembled an excellent program of speakers and presenters to share their light with you.

Who May Attend the Symposium?
Any Mason in good standing may register for the Symposium, provided he is a member of a Grand Lodge which is a member of, or is recognized by any one of the Grand Lodges which are members of, the Conference of Grand Masters of North America, or the United Grand Lodge of England, the Grand Lodge of Ireland, or the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Full Registration for the Symposium is $175 CAD/$125 USD.

Topics and Panels
- Origins, Allegory, and Enlightenment: From the Horn Tavern to Solomon's Temple
- Why Do We Bother?
- Dealing With Diversity in the Lodge
- Tragedies and Triumphs in a New Observant Lodge
- Living Life as an Observant Mason
- Victory Through Harmony: Transforming an Existing Lodge
- The Observant Lodge In Canada
- Happiness: The Chief Aim of Masonry
- Kipling, Burns, and Observant Masonry

Download the full program in PDF format


MRF2025.pdf

Keynote Address:
Origins, Allegory, and the Enlightenment: From the Horn Tavern to Solomon's Temple
Ric Berman, PM; Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, London, England

Ric Berman is Past Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, in London, England. He is a renowned Masonic historian and author of numerous books on the history and development of Freemasonry, and is a past Prestonian Lecturer. His Keynote Address on Friday evening will speak to the idea of the origin of Speculative Masonry, and why the trigradal system is the essence of the art.

Opening Address:
Why Do We Bother?
Andrew Hammer, PJGD; President, MRF

Andrew Hammer is the Depute Master of Alba Lodge No. 222, in Washington DC. He currently serves as Deputy Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, and is the Chair of its Committee on Work and Lectures. He is author of Observing the Craft, a Fellow of the Philalethes Society and the Masonic Society. Brother Hammer speaks to lodges throughout the world on observant Masonry, as well as philosophical aspects of the Craft. As President of the Masonic Restoration Foundation, he will give the opening address on Saturday morning.  

Closing Address:
Kipling, Burns, and Observant Masonry
David Cameron, PGM; Secretary, MRF

David Cameron is Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, Secretary of the MRF, and a founding member of Templum Lucis Lodge No. 747 in Stratford, Ontario. A long time advocate of observant Masonry, Brother Cameron was instrumental in supporting the effort of brethren to build observant lodges in Ontario whilst Grand Master. His closing address will deal not only with the thread that ties our weekend together, but also ties our work today with those who came before us.