Grand Lodge of Rhode Island

06/01/2026

🎉🥂Grand Annual Banquet 2026

On Monday, May 18, 2026, the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island hosted our traditional Grand Annual Banquet at the conclusion of Annual Communication.

Brethren from every lodge across the jurisdiction, together with their ladies and families, gathered in fellowship to celebrate another year in the life of our Grand Lodge and to honor our new Most Worshipful Grand Master, Gilbert J. Fontes, Jr.

The evening was filled with Brotherly Love, good food, and shared pride in the work of Rhode Island Freemasonry, a full commitment to the future of our Craft.

Thank you to everyone who made the evening special. The 2026-2027 Masonic year is off to a great start.

Photos by W:. Tony Rodrigues

05/30/2026

🎩🎉Grand Annual Communication 2026

On Monday, May 18, 2026, the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island held its Annual Communication — a powerful reminder of how our Masonic principles guide the transfer of leadership with dignity, fraternity, and respect for tradition while looking toward the future.

We celebrated a successful year under the leadership of M:.W:. Rick Baccus as Grand Master. We also recognized R:.W:. Ron Reed for his years of outstanding and dedicated service as Grand Secretary.

The evening included the presentation of several awards and recognitions to deserving Brethren.

Finally, M:.W:. Gilbert J. Fontes, Jr. was installed as Grand Master for the ensuing Masonic year, along with his Grand Council and appointed Grand Officers. We were pleased to welcome our new Grand Secretary, M:.W:. Past Grand Master Gary Kaufman.

Join us in wishing M:.W:. Bro. Fontes and his officers success in the year ahead.👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Photos by W:. Tony Rodrigues

05/29/2026

On Tuesday May 12, 2026, the Brethren of Washington Lodge No. 3 welcomed our now Most Worshipful Past Grand Master, Bro:. Rick Baccus, during his last official visitation as Grand Master, to his Mother Lodge.

The evening featured a compelling lecture on The Role of Spain in the American Revolution, and on behalf of the lodge Worshipful Master, Bro:. Charles Vecoli presented M:.W:. Bro. Baccus with his commemorative portrait (by Bro:. Travis Simpkins). It will now be displayed alongside five other Past Grand Masters from Washington Lodge No. 3.

This is a testament of the example that M:.W:. has set all year.

From a Masonic perspective, M:.W:. Baccus lived the tenets: Brotherly Love through his presence in lodges and Concordant bodies across the state, Relief through his support of our charities—especially Ethan Place—, and Truth through his steady, principled leadership.

From a leadership perspective, he showed up. He listened. He served. He’s shown us what it means to lead by laboring with the Brethren.

Thank you, Most Worshipful.

Photos by W:. Tony Rodrigues

05/26/2026

Sharing the message from Most Worshipful Past Grand Master Bradford L. Barco regarding the 20th anniversary of the Masonic Veterans Memorial at Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

“Brethren, Ladies, Family and Friends,
Good Afternoon:

We have come together today, on this honored and sacred ground, for the 20th anniversary dedication of this Veterans Masonic Memorial monument that preserves the memory of our Masonic veterans while steadfastly remembering the sacrifices made by all of our veterans.

Some ask how did this Veteran’s Monument come about.
Back in 2002, MW Robert Allen, MW Joseph Brearley and myself discussed ways that we could honor our Masonic Veterans with a fitting memorial. After many discussions we formed a committee consisting of then RW Leon Knudsen as chairman along with MW Stephen Carpenter, PGM. Long story short, a plan to have a Masonic Veterans monument constructed an erected at the RI Veterans Cemetery was approved and we hired Rock of Ages Monument Company to help us with our design and make this monument a reality. I signed the contract with Rock of Ages in the fall of 2004. This memorial before you is a fitting tribute to all Masons who served our Country in times of war or peace, wherever they may live or wherever their final resting place may be.

Masonic Brothers helped shape this Nation, throughout the years, by ensuring the continued existence of the freedoms that we now enjoy every day of our lives…freedoms that many, throughout the world, can only dream about …freedoms that are envied so much by some, they seek to destroy our very way of life. But the American dream and the will power to preserve it have endured since the very beginnings of this great Nation.

The dream was for a life of peace and happiness, the freedom to come and go as one pleases, the opportunity to worship the God of one’s choice, and the liberty to voice one’s opinions without fear of retribution. But fulfilling the dream would not have been possible without the many sacrifices of our military. So, we take this opportunity to thank all of our veterans and the Masonic Brothers who walked among them, men such as George Washington and many other US Presidents, Senators and Congressmen, Governors, military leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, and those from every walk of life.

I would like to share with you a short story of two of our Rhode Island Masonic Brothers, who served during the Civil War: Major George Newman Bliss (1837 - 1928) and Colonel Elisha Hunt Rhodes (1842 - 1917).

Brother and Major Bliss commanded Troop C, 1st Rhode Island Volunteer Cavalry. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during a fierce mounted engagement at Waynesborough, Virginia, on the 27th of September 1864. At one point in the fight, alone, and cut off from his men, Major Bliss charged a Rebel cavalry force of about fifty-five men with only a saber and a pistol. When his horse was killed from under him, he fought on foot until he was wounded by a Rebel saber. Totally surrounded and knocked to his knees, as the Rebels closed in and were about to kill him, he held his hands up in surrender and asked for protection as a “ Free Mason.” The Rebel Commander, who was also a Mason, heard his request and saved him. This experience gave true meaning to “ Brother against Brother.” Brother Bliss served as the first Worshipful Master of Rising Sun Lodge No. 30.

Elisha Hunt Rhodes was one of the first Rhode Islanders to volunteer when President Abraham Lincoln requested volunteers for the Union Army. During his enlistment, he rose to the rank of colonel, serving his country and his state with honor and distinction. Brother and Colonel Rhodes was the last commander of the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. He fought in every engagement in the 2nd Rhode Island 6th Corp Army of the Potomac from 1861 to 1865. Colonel Rhodes led the regiment at the surrender of General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army at Appomattox, Virginia on April 9, 1865. Brother Rhodes was a member of Harmony Lodge No. 9 and a member of St. John’s Commandery No. 1 the oldest Commandery in America. He served the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations as Most Worshipful Grand Master from 1893 - 1894. One hundred years later as served as Worshipful Master of King Solomon's Lodge No. 11 1993-1994.

These two stories are but a small example of duty to country by Masons...Our Masonic Brothers have served in every conflict and war that our country has been engaged in.

Wouldn’t it be nice if the whole world could live by the tenets of our Fraternity, practicing friendship, morality and brotherly love? Then, there would not be any reason to send our men and women off to war. There would not be any reason to mourn the death of another fallen Soldier, Marine, Airman or Sailor…because… we would live in a world free from all hatred, a world of peace. But, for now, there is one thing is certain. When, our Country calls the military to duty, the men and women of our Armed Forces will be there to do what it takes to preserve, for our Country and those who are oppressed throughout the world, the God given right to live a life that is free.

At the beginning of my term as Grand Master in 2004, Many said that we could not raise the needed funds to build this memorial in one year, but I knew is was possible, Because I knew that you, my Brothers, would do what it would take to make this monument a reality. No words can express what all of you have accomplished by working together. A special thanks goes to the members of the Masonic family who through their donations made this memorial possible. In one short year you my brothers raise a total of $108,944.47 more than we had contracted with Rock of Ages. We were also able to purchase perpetual care for this memorial. Thank you again my brothers.

We ask the Supreme Grand Architect of the Universe to bless all of our Veterans, whether living or deceased, and we ask a special blessing for all the men and women of our military who are currently serving, especially those who are serving in harm’s way. We ask you…Heavenly Father…to keep them in your loving arms, to protect them as they complete the task that this Country has sent them to do, and to bring each of them home safely to their loved ones.

May God Bless our Fraternity and May God Bless the United States of America.

Bradford L. Barco
Most Worshipful Past Grand Master”

*Photo by RW Ray Geer

05/25/2026

- Today we remember and honor.

Message from our Grand Master, M:.W:. Gil Fontes, Jr., during the Masonic Veterans Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony, last Friday May 22, 2026

“Brethren, families, honored guests, and members of the community,

We gather here today in solemn remembrance. Memorial Day is a day set apart—not for celebration, and not for gratitude alone—but for reflection on the lives of those who gave everything in service to our nation. It is a day when we pause to honor the fallen, to acknowledge the cost of our freedoms, and to remember the men and women whose sacrifice can never be repaid.

Among those we remember are our own: our Veteran Brethren who served with honor, who lived their obligations both as Masons and as citizens, and who now rest in eternal peace. Their devotion to duty, their fidelity to principle, and their willingness to place the welfare of others above their own stand as enduring examples to us all.

Today also marks a significant milestone in our jurisdiction. Twenty years ago, this monument was dedicated to memorialize our Veteran Brethren. It stands here because a group of committed Brothers believed that their service deserved a permanent place of remembrance. They labored, planned, and gave of themselves so that future generations would have a place to gather—just as we do today—to reflect on the meaning of sacrifice and the weight of memory. We honor those Brothers as well, for their vision and their devotion to preserving the legacy of our fallen.

This monument reminds us that the values we uphold as Freemasons—duty, integrity, brotherly love—are the same values embodied by those who served in our armed forces. It reminds us that the freedoms we enjoy were secured at great cost, and that remembrance is not an obligation we fulfill once a year, but a responsibility we carry always.

As we lay this wreath, we do so in silence and reverence. We remember the names etched in stone and the countless names known only to God. We remember the families who bore the burden of loss. And we reaffirm our commitment to live lives worthy of the sacrifices made on our behalf.

May this monument continue to stand as a place of quiet reflection and enduring respect. And may the memory of our fallen—our Veteran Brethren and all who served—remain forever in our hearts.

Thank you,
Gilbert J. Fontes, Jr.
Most Worshipful Grand Master “

05/25/2026

Our Grand Jurisdiction had a couple of busy weeks, full of events, including:

- The last visitation of M:.W:. Rick Baccus as Grand Master to his mother lodge Washington Lodge No. 3
- Our Grand Lodge Annual Communication where M:.W:. Gil Fontes was installed as our new Grand Master for the ensuing year
- The Grand Lodge Annual Banquet
- The Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery
- Collegivm Lvminosvm Trinity Term Communication featuring historian Robert Geake, as part of our 250 USA celebrations.

Stay tuned for more details!

05/18/2026

05/02/2026

🇺🇸History made today (Saturday May 2, 2026).

Our Grand Master, M:.W:. Rick Baccus approved the founding of Semiquincentennial Lodge No. 250 (U.D.) — a special commemorative lodge for America’s 250th anniversary.

For one year only, this lodge will host events celebrating our nation’s birth.

Any Brother in attendance today signed the charter book as a founding member. The charter will be presented May 18, 2026, and the lodge will close in May 2027.

As R:.W:. DGM Fontes said: “Freedom, equality, justice, and courage — these are the tenets of Freemasonry and our nation.”

Photos by W:. Tony Rodrigues

12/15/2025

🌊🐧 This New Year's Day, RI Freemasons and Shriners are once again answering the call to service by participating in the 50th Annual Penguin Plunge for Special Olympics Rhode Island!

This edition marks half a century of Rhode Islanders coming together to support these athletes.

Taking place on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Scarborough State Beach in Narragansett, the event features the Main Plunge at noon, followed by a Family-Friendly Plunge at 12:15 p.m.

As Freemasons and Shriners, service and charity are at the heart of who we are.
We have long been champions of charitable causes, and our participation in the Penguin Plunge exemplifies our commitment to making a difference in Rhode Island communities.

We're diving in not just for the thrill, but for the athletes who inspire us every day with their strength, determination, and spirit.

Pre-registration is now open with a $25 participation fee. Whether you're ready to take the plunge yourself or prefer to support from the shore, there are multiple ways to get involved.

To register or donate, visit:
https://give.specialolympicsri.org/teams/25415-ri-freemasons-shriners