Following the recognition of the Grande Oriente d'Italia by the United Grand Lodge of England, a group of Devonshire Masons made the long journey recently to the Francesco Guardabassi Lodge, which meets at Perugia, at the invitation of its Master Roberto Pucci, a long-standing friend of Alan Gill, a member of Teign Lodge in Devonshire.
He was accompanied by Keith Williams, Torbay Lodge, Charles Wray, Devon Lodge, Paul Adnams, and Louis Marchesi Lodge.
The group were warmly welcomed by the Lodge members and the many other visiting brethren representing numerous Lodges of the District of Umbria and other regions, which also included the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Oregon of the Grand Oriente d`Italia, Marco Falchero, the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Pernambuco of the Grand Oriente d`Italia, Giorgio Cifarelli, the President of Worshipful Masters of Umbria, Andrea Galli and his Vice President Gabriele Cardona.
The visitors were privileged to witness the Initiation ceremony of Alessandro Ciglioni, which was carried out in a most reflective and interesting way. It left a profound and lasting impression on all members attending. Fortunately, they were provided with a translated copy of the Italian ritual to assist in following the ceremony and an English-speaking member to explain the proceedings.
The Master of the Lodge explained to the Lodge members how his association with Alan Gill was established some 15 years ago, both in Italian and impeccable English, explaining why it had not been possible for Alan to be at his Initiation, but now that communication had been re-established between the two Grand Lodges he was delighted to welcome his English friend and Brethren and hoped the association would continue, despite this being his last meeting, after 3years as the Master of the Lodge.
The Devonshire members were presented, in gratitude and to mark the occasion of their visit, with tokens from the “Collegio dei Venerabili dell`Umbria” (College of Worshipful Masters of Umbria), the District of Umbria and the Francesco Guardabassi Lodge, together with several other generous gifts from the visiting Lodges.
In response, Alan presented the Lodge and Roberto with a signed book of the History of the Province of Devonshire and a Cristal Firing Glass. The members were entertained after the meeting with a superb Italian-style festive board, another unique experience enjoyed by all. It ended very late into the early hours of the following day, and fortunately only a short walk to their hotel.
