Section III
Responsibility for a Lifetime
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The quote above is from Socrates. That ancient Greek speaks well to the
purpose of ritual for those of us who have chosen to follow the fraternal
path.
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Our whole life is based on certain ritualistic patterns. We get up in the
morning, study, speak and write and do many other things based on
habits and routines that are performed in an informal ritualistic way.
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Alpha Sigma Phi’s rituals are secret to outsiders. But they are meant to
be read carefully, discussed and even argued about by all members.
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Our Rituals are very human documents. They were written down many
years ago after a great deal of thought. Despite being reworded,
rephrased and reevaluated since 1845, they contain the essence of what
our Founders felt was important to living life. There are sections whose
language is wonderfully archaic and old-fashioned – but whose meaning
are fresh today.
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Ritual is not just for initiation. It should be used to help all the undergraduate
members during weekly meetings. Most “informal” chapter meetings last a lot
longer than “formal” chapter meetings. And referring to the ritual and to the
principles of Alpha Sigma Phi can be most helpful when the chapter is working
on a special decision, membership selection or making policy.
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Perhaps our Ritual is too secret. Not only to outsiders; but also to our own
members. Perhaps we keep it too secret because if everyone knew what Alpha
Sigma Phi stands for, we’d be expected to live by that. And that would be very
difficult.
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Our Ritual is basically a system of values. A system of values is an instrument
of self-evaluation. The values are clear and absolute, and yet, difficult to
emulate.
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Intrinsic to the Ritual is not its ability to supply meaning, but more its
ability to reveal meaning. The essential character of our Fraternity, that
identity shared by all Alpha Sigs, is revealed in our initiation. In discerning
this identity, there is really no substitute for a careful and reflective reading
of the ritual book. The values, ideals and symbols lend themselves to
personal interpretation and assimilation.
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Ritual offers times of personal renewal, a recommitment to that which we
believe. The ceremony centers on the new brothers but at the same time
envelops all in attendance and functions as a moment of renewal. It is a time
to regain perspective on the ideals of brotherhood in our day-to-day lives.
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These ideals do, in fact, translate into a code for living. The chapter that
operates from that coed will find new members attracted to it. For man
has always sought the kind of message, guidance, values and leadership
found in our rituals.
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Our Ritual is something shared by all Alpha Sigs across the years and
across the miles. Our Ritual is a road map by which an individual can
guide himself along his journey of life and assist him in his communion
with his fellow travelers. It is a system of values whose purpose is not to
make you a better fraternity person; but rather, make you a better human
being.
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