A.J.E.F.
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A:.J:.E:.F:. or Asociación de Jóvenes Esperanza de la Fraternidad (Association of Youth Hope of the Fraternity) is single degree fraternity sponsored by the Freemasonery for youths between the ages of 14 and 21 years old.
Its local organizations were named Lodges (Logias AJEF), but in Mexico have been renamed as Talleres (workshops) in order to emphasize that A.J.E.F. is not Masonry, but an appendant body. Each lodge is auspicied by a Masonic Lodge, in both economic and moral support.
It is similar in focus and function to the Order of DeMolay, albeit with stronger ties to Freemasonry.
Structural organization
In Cuba there is the "National Advisory Commission of Ajefismo" (C.A.N.A.) which is chaired by Masons who are responsible for ensuring that young people have everything they need.
Each province of the country has a "Committee for Overcoming Ajefista" (C.S.A.) chaired by Ajefistas.
In Mexico there was a body called "Consejo Central AJEF" (Central Council of AJEF) as a superior body that supervised and organized, and was made up of active members of AJEF. In Mexico there are not many Central Councils, although they still exist in Tamaulipas and Chiapas.
Each Chapter (as it is called in Mexico) depends directly on the provisions of its Lodge and Grand Lodge, but to maintain communication and fraternal work there are many events that promote fraternal activities.
History
A.J.E.F. was founded in La Havana, Cuba on February 9, 1936, (International Day Of The Ajefismo), by Fernando Suárez Núñez “El Divino Ciego” quien se desempeñaba como Segundo Diácono en su logia “Perseverancia”. Este gracias a su magnífica creación consiguió múltiples reconocimientos.(Nació el May 7, 1882 y murió el Jan. 24 1946). The first lodge was called "Esperanza" (Pionera Del Ajefismo) auspiciada por la Respetable, Centenaria y Meritisima Logia Simbólica “Perseverancia”. (Hope).[1]
Reachin g 5,000 members by 1938, its rapid growth began to foster el Ajefismo en overseas.
In 1939 the first Mexican A.J.E.F. Lodge, named after Benito Juárez, was established by the United Mexican Grand Lodge of Veracruz (Gran Logia "Unida Mexicana") due to the influence and motivation of Martin Dihigo Llanos. The second one was established at Mexico City, by the Mexican Valley Grand Lodge (Gran Logia "Valle de México") and its name was "Fernando Suárez Núñez".
Mystique and ritual.
Sus rituales, sus liturgias y legislaciones originales fueron confeccionados por su creador "Don Fernando Suárez Nuñez" "El Divino Ciego".
In Mexico the Regular Grand Lodges of the United States of Mexico Confederation (Confederación de Grandes Logias Regulares de la República Mexicana) assigned the Mexican Valley Grand Lodge (Gran Logia "Valle de México") to adapt the ritual for the Mexican youth; but in 1991 the United Mexican Grand Lodge of Veracruz (Gran Logia Unida Mexicana) created the "Vademécum del AJEF", the first compilation of ceremonials and the AJEF Theory - symbols and philosophic principles. Because of that it is the basis for the subsequent documents elaborated by other Grand Lodges, as the "Prontuario del AJEF", created in 1994 by the Grand Lodge Valle de México.
The rituals that constitute the exercise 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).
El lema original es “Ajefismo y solo ajefismo".
The institution's motto, always at the bottom of essays and official papers in Spanish is "For the nation and humanity" (Por la patria y la humanidad).
References
- ^ Salas Amaro, Armando. "Dia del Ajefista". masoneriacubana.com. Archived from the original on 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2007-01-09.
External links
- Official Site for Caballeros del Temple No 6, Mexico City based A.J.E.F. chapter (in Spanish)
- Official Site for Jose Azueta No. 18 Veracruz Mexico based A.J.E.F. chapter (in Spanish)
- Official Site for Hijos de Nuevos Horizontes, Hialeah, Florida based A.J.E.F. chapter (in Spanish)
- Official Site for Logias AJEF Jurisdiccionadas a la Muy Respetable Gran Logia Valle de México (in Spanish)
- Official Site for Jose Martí No.4, Mexico City based A.J.E.F. chapter (Archived 2009-10-24)
- Official Site for Benito Juárez No. 4, Guadalajara based A.J.E.F. chapter (in Spanish)
- Official Blog for Libertad, Igualdad y Fraternidad No.7, Guadalajara based A.J.E.F. chapter (in Spanish)
- Official Site for Mexican A.J.E.F. community (in Spanish)
- Taller Ajef Francisco Lopez Gutierrez #10, Tijuana (in Spanish)