A.J.E.F.
[Image:ajef_logo.jpg|Emblem of the organization|right|200px]]
A.J.E.F. Is an acronym which stands for Association of Youth Hope of the Fraternity (Asociacion de Jovenes Esperanza de la Fraternidad), It is an appendant body to Freemasonry for boys and girls aged 14-21 in México and Latin America.
Although initially the local organizations were known as AJEF Lodge the title recently changed to Chapters in order to reinforce the fact that it is not Masonry, but an appendant body to it.
Every chapter is sponsored by a Masonic Lodge, in both Economic and moral support.
it is equivalent in its focus and function to the Order of DeMolay.
althought it is open to both sexes mixt sessions are forbidden except in Special occasions in which there must be a master Mason present.
Structural Organization
The Officers of a Chapter are:
- AJEF Master
- Second Light
- Thrid light
- Scribe
- Treasurer
- Steward
- Deacon
History
It was founded in Havana, Cuba on February 9th, 1936 by Fernando Suárez Núñez (may 7th 1882, Jan. 24 1946), the first chapter was called “ESPERANZA” (Hope)[1]
Reaching 5'000 members by 1938 its rapid growth began to foster chapters Overseas. In 1939 the first Mexican A.J.E.F. Lodge 'Benito Juarez' was established at Veracruz
Mystic and Rituals
The rituals that constitute the excercise of 'Ajefismo' are aimed at developing moral values and social skills among the initiates.
The Letters A.J.E.F. have in themselves a deeper meaning, as these are the letters of the 'fundamental words' Love, Justice, Hope and Fraternity (Amor, Justicia, Esperanza y Fraternidad).[2]
The institutions motto, always at the bottom of essays and oficial papers is "for the nation and mankaind" (por la patria y la humanidad).
That said their handshake is similar to the one asigned for the Entered Apprentice degree in Freemasonry.
The initiation process varies according to the region even though there is an official written liturgy with such cases noted[3], as are funerals and weddings; these initiations may vary from being verbatim to the liturgy to identical to those performed in adult Francmasonry.
In that same vein it is not uncommon for AJEF Essays to be about Esoteric themes as well as science, morals or history, and its not uncommon to find young participants to be well versed in the occult themes of Masonry.
Notes
- ^ Salas Amaro, Armando. "DIA DEL AJEFISTA". masoneriacubana.com. Retrieved 2007-01-09.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Gan Logia Unida Mexicana de Veracruz. "VADEMECUM". Gan Logia Unida Mexicana de Veracruz.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "LITURGIA AJEF". Editorial Erbasa. Retrieved 2007-01-09.
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