Masonic Widow’s Guild Program Announced
The Masonic Villages recently launched a Widows’ Guild program to recognize and assist all widows of Pennsylvania Masons. The program is being rolled out at limited group events throughout Pennsylvania and certain locations of the United States. Widows who attend these events will receive a Masonic Blue Slipper Pin and personalized membership card to the Widows’ Guild. On the back side of the membership card is the toll-free telephone number for the Masonic Outreach Program with a list of the many services available to any widow of a Pennsylvania Mason.
The Blue Slipper Pin of the Pennsylvania Masonic Widow’s Guild
Bro. Joseph E. Murphy, CEO for the Masonic Villages, said,
“It is the right thing to do for our spouses who have supported us through all our years in the fraternity. This is our way of honoring them with this special pin and card, and letting them know that we care through the services we can provide to them.”
The Masonic Blue Slipper Pin, which is universally recognized among Masons, serves to identify the wearer as the widow of a Mason. Its history comes from the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament. During the time of Boaz, the next of kin were to look after the widow and offspring. In Ruth’s case, the next of kin refused to honor this requirement for Ruth, so Boaz agreed to take up the task. When Boaz met with the next of kin to seal the deal, the next of kin drew off his shoe and handed it to Boaz as a token for the bargain to take care of Ruth. Boaz held the shoe up for all to see as witnesses of the deal. To this day, the blue slipper symbolizes our duty to care for our widows of the fraternity.
The fraternity owes a true obligation to assist our widows. The Masonic Outreach Program provides financial assistance, attorney/legal support, durable and medical equipment and a variety of educational information and referral services, such as pharmaceutical assistance programs, services for those with low income and services specific to the disabled and senior population. Contact the Masonic Outreach Program toll-free at 800-462-7664.
If you know a widow who would be interested in receiving a Masonic Blue Slipper Pin and becoming a member of the Widows’ Guild, please contact the Masonic Outreach Program to find out when the next available event in your area will take place.
