A.J.E.F.

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 youth aged 14-21 in México, United States and Latin America.

Although initially the local organizations were known as AJEF Lodges, the title has changed to Chapters in order to reinforce the fact that it is not Masonry, but an appendant body. 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.

Although it is open to both sexes, mixed sessions are forbidden except on special occasions in which there must be a Master Mason present.

Structural Organization

There are a number of regional organizations of Chapters that have yearly meetings in order to appoint small changes in customs and ritual, thus varying pointual aspects. Some of these are:

*The Mexico Valley Organization
*The Veracruz Council
*The Honorable Central Council of Tamaulipas

The members of a Chapter or Lodge are:

* Guide
* First adviser
* Second adviser
* Scribe
* Treasurer
* Orator
* Guardian
* Master of Choir
* Leader of Ceremonies
* Donations Collector
* Steward
* Banner
* Flag Keeper
* Expert
* Instructor(a master mason)
* Town: the name given to the general participants who do not have a particular position

History

A.J.E.F. 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) [cite web | last = Salas Amaro | first = Armando | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.masoneriacubana.com/armonia/dia_del_ajefista.html | title = DIA DEL AJEFISTA| format = | work = | publisher = masoneriacubana.com | accessdate = 2007-01-09]

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.

Mystique and Rituals

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). [cite web | last = Gan Logia Unida Mexicana de Veracruz| first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = ?| title = VADEMECUM| format = | work = | publisher = Gan Logia Unida Mexicana de Veracruz | accessdate = 2007-01-09]

The institution's motto, always at the bottom of essays and official papers, is "for the nation and mankind" (Por la patria y la humanidad).

The initiation process varies according to the region even though there is an official written liturgy with such cases noted [cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://mason.com.mx/libros2.html | title = LITURGIA AJEF| format = | work = | publisher = Editorial Erbasa | accessdate = 2007-01-09] , as are funerals and weddings; these initiations may vary from being verbatim to the liturgy to identical to those performed in adult Freemasonry.

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