FOR THE WEEK OF Oct 5, 2026 · No. 1
In a few days, Masons from throughout the state will gather at the California Masonic Memorial Temple for the 177th Annual Communication of Grand Lodge and the election of R∴W∴ Bro. Ara Maloyan as our 161st Grand Master. We owe our thanks to Grand Master Garrett Chan and his Grand Family for their service this past year. And I am especially grateful to W∴ Bro. Albert Cua, Grand Marshal, whose work I will likely have the privilege of carrying forward.
For the Maloyan Grand Family, the coming months will mean a great many days together, supporting the Grand Master and serving the Craft.
Each week, I’ll do my best to keep everyone briefed on what lies ahead and preserve something of the year for posterity. Some weeks will offer much to say; others, less.
Safe travels to San Francisco. I look forward to seeing everyone there.
GRAND MASTER'S ITINERARY
Upcoming Public Schedule
Friday, October 9th, 2026
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Grand Lodge Opening and Business Session
Auditorium, California Masonic Memorial Temple
Invited & Attire - Grand Lodge Officers, Past Grand Masters, Master Masons | White tie (Executive Committee), tuxedo (Appointed Grand Lodge Officers), business suit (others)
Saturday, October 10th, 2026
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Grand Lodge Business Session
Auditorium, California Masonic Memorial Temple
Invited & Attire - Grand Lodge Officers, Past Grand Masters, Master Masons | White tie (Executive Committee), tuxedo (Appointed Grand Lodge Officers), business suit (others)
11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Partners and Family Program
Venetian Room, Fairmont Hotel
Invited & Attire - Significant Others and family | Upscale casual
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Grand Master's Banquet Reception
Vanderbilt Room, Fairmont Hotel
Invited & Attire - Everyone | Tuxedo (Grand Lodge Officers), business suit (others), formal evening wear
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Grand Master's Banquet
Vanderbilt Room, Fairmont Hotel
Invited & Attire - Everyone | Tuxedo (Grand Lodge Officers), business suit (others), formal evening wear
TBD
Hospitality
Grand Master-elect's Suite, Fairmont Hotel
Invited - Grand Lodge Officers and Significant Others
Sunday, October 11th, 2026
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Continental Breakfast
Freemason's Hall & Auditorium, California Masonic Memorial Temple
Invited & Attire - Current and retiring Grand Families, Past Grand Masters and spouses/partners, Installation participants | White tie (Executive Committee), tuxedo (Appointed Grand Lodge Officers), business suit (others)
7:30 AM - 8:45 AM
Installation Practice
Auditorium, California Masonic Memorial Temple
Invited & Attire - Incoming Grand Lodge Officers, Installation team and other participants | White tie (Executive Committee), tuxedo w/ Maloyan black bow tie (Appointed Grand Lodge Officers), business suit (others)
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Public Ceremonies
Auditorium, California Masonic Memorial Temple
Invited & Attire - Everyone | White tie (Executive Committee), tuxedo (Appointed rand Lodge Officers), business suit (others)
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Installation of Maloyan Grand Lodge Officers
Auditorium, California Masonic Memorial Temple
Invited & Attire - Everyone | White tie (Executive Committee), tuxedo w/ Maloyan black bow tie (Appointed Grand Lodge Officers), business suit, formal (others)
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Maloyan Grand Family Photographs
Auditorium, California Masonic Memorial Temple
Invited & Attire - Maloyan Grand Family | White tie (Executive Committee), tuxedo w/ Maloyan black bow tie (Appointed Grand Lodge Officers), business suit, formal (others)
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Maloyan Grand Family Reception and Dinner
Freemason's Hall (dinner in the California Room), California Masonic Memorial Temple
Invited & Attire - Maloyan Grand Family, Invitation List | Maloyan Grand Family long sleeve shirt
Monday, October 12th, 2026
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Grand Lodge Officer Ritual Practice
Auditorium, California Masonic Memorial Temple
Invited & Attire - Grand Lodge Officers | Maloyan Grand Family polo shirt
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Maloyan Grand Family Luncheon
Freemason's Hall, California Masonic Memorial Temple
Invited & Attire - Maloyan Grand Family | Maloyan Grand Family polo shirt
HISTORICAL MINUTE
A brief look at the people, places, and events from the past that gives context to the week ahead.
At our first Annual Communication, in May 1850, Grand Master Jonathan D. Stevenson reflected on the place Freemasonry had already found in California. “Probably in no part of the habitable globe,” he observed, had its “usefulness been made so manifest.”
The new state was filling rapidly with men “of every nation and clime known to the civilized world, all seeking, by enterprise and industry, to improve their condition in life”—men who were often “strangers in language, heart, and in feeling.” But among Masons, Stevenson wrote, each possessed “a language that all can understand.” From this common language came the bonds of fraternal affection. His charge to California’s new lodges was to cultivate brotherly love and harmony.
Now, 176 years later, that same hope finds expression in R∴W∴ Bro. Ara Maloyan’s motto: “Harmony & Unity Through Universal Freemasonry.”
Source: Journal of Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of the State of California, 1850-1854, pp. 28-29.
OTHER NOTICES
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
October 11 R∴W∴ Bro. Charles Cross and Mrs. Sandra Cross
* Official engagements to be undertaken by the Grand Master and members of the Maloyan Grand Family are published on the Grand Master's Itinerary and can be viewed here.
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