When, in 1984, this lodge was brought into the
Transvaal District it became, at one and the same
time, the oldest and youngest of our lodges.
Prior to 1814, Mauritius was under French rule and
the first six lodges to work on the island all fell
under the Grand Orient of France. The earliest of
these ('La Triple Esperancel) was constituted in
1778, although it is on record that a report made to
the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Paris in 1754
stated that masonic lodges, amongst other 'vile
amusements', had been suppressed! The first English
lodge was consecrated in 1816 and altogether, from
1778, nine French, seven English (including two
military lodges), three Irish and one Scottish lodge
have worked on the island. In 1877 United Grand
Lodge withdrew recognition from the Grand Orient of
France and this not only contributed to a severe
weakening of French masonry on the island but
created problems for the two surviving English and
Scottish lodges, which met in premises owned by the
French lodges.
So, after meeting for many years in 'La Triple
Esperance' premises, The Lodge of Friendship moved
three times before building its own masonic hall,
which was completed in 1937 and dedicated by the
Bishop of Mauritius, then the Chaplain of the lodge.
It now shares the use of these premises with
Friendship Lodge No 439 (SC) and Friendship Royal
Arch Chapter No 160.
Exsequi Lodge meets at Park
Lane in Johannesburg, South Africa on the fourth Monday of
February (Election Meeting), April (Installation Meeting),
June, August, October and November. Exsequi is a Freemasons
Dining Lodge and masonic guests are most welcome.
Freemasonry a web site for and about Freemasons - South African
Lodges
