The beginning
Before Allin Mondesir was ever involved in building what will now be the prominent mixed lodge in the whole of south Florida and maybe beyond has first held the position of Worshipful Master for the duration of two terms. The first term was of three years and the second of two years. It was during his tenure that Allin Mondesir started an open prayer for the community every Thursday. As you may know, most lodges are fraternal organizations, thus, they do not allow women amongst them. The prayer was an instant success and attracted many people, many of whom were women.
Keeping in mind that all the knowledge could not be passed down the non-initiated and especially to women created an issue that Venerable Allin struggle with up until the time the lodge “La Meditation” opened its door. He attempted to have his then current lodge open its door to women. His vision was met with extreme opposition. Moreover, the members of the lodge who were of course all men were against so many women coming to the lodge site and they decided to close the prayers that have been going on for the last five years.
Venerable Allin could not bring himself to abandon the so many who have become dependent on the prayers, and he prayed for an answer. His prayers were answered when one of the regulars Ms. Ginette Mauricette offered her residence to continue the prayers and the elevation of a mixed lodge grew stronger and stronger.
For the next three years at Ms. Ginette Mauricette, slowly but surely the Lodge took form. It was in the year 2005, that the Respectable Loge La Meditation took birth and in our first reunion, our first order of business was to name our newly founded lodge, sister Gabarone: Yvette Pierre Louis proposed to the members the name "La Meditation" which was adopted unanimously. Two years later with the set vision, dedication and generosity our founding members on, January 1, 2007, the lodge “La Respectable Loge La Meditation” had its grand opening.
Before Allin Mondesir was ever involved in building what will now be the prominent mixed lodge in the whole of south Florida and maybe beyond has first held the position of Worshipful Master for the duration of two terms. The first term was of three years and the second of two years. It was during his tenure that Allin Mondesir started an open prayer for the community every Thursday. As you may know, most lodges are fraternal organizations, thus, they do not allow women amongst them. The prayer was an instant success and attracted many people, many of whom were women.
Keeping in mind that all the knowledge could not be passed down the non-initiated and especially to women created an issue that Venerable Allin struggle with up until the time the lodge “La Meditation” opened its door. He attempted to have his then current lodge open its door to women. His vision was met with extreme opposition. Moreover, the members of the lodge who were of course all men were against so many women coming to the lodge site and they decided to close the prayers that have been going on for the last five years.
Venerable Allin could not bring himself to abandon the so many who have become dependent on the prayers, and he prayed for an answer. His prayers were answered when one of the regulars Ms. Ginette Mauricette offered her residence to continue the prayers and the elevation of a mixed lodge grew stronger and stronger.
For the next three years at Ms. Ginette Mauricette, slowly but surely the Lodge took form. It was in the year 2005, that the Respectable Loge La Meditation took birth and in our first reunion, our first order of business was to name our newly founded lodge, sister Gabarone: Yvette Pierre Louis proposed to the members the name "La Meditation" which was adopted unanimously. Two years later with the set vision, dedication and generosity our founding members on, January 1, 2007, the lodge “La Respectable Loge La Meditation” had its grand opening.
Illustre Worshipful Master Rene St. Preux
Rene St. Preux, met Allin Mondesir while they were both members of the same lodge. They became close friends. He became fonder of Allin during his first tenure as Worshipful Master in the year 1999. He appreciated Allin’s new vision and direction. Relentlessly, he stood by Allin ever since. He passed away before he could see his efforts and guidance materialize in the opening of “La Mediation.” He was the first who had ordered that Allin follow his calling by sharing the knowledge with the opposite sex. He had seen that no longer could we deny our sisters the benefit of our craft. In his words “Allin, since we are a fraternity, thus no women are not accepted into our loge and a large number of your followers are women whom seek your wisdom and I see that you are torn between these two worlds, you are to open a mix lodge where both: men and women can benefit from your teaching and the infinite wisdom the “Architect;” “Allin, you are to build a Temple where men and women will be able to learn about their duties in this world.” During his life as a mason, he held the position of Tiler, and the prominent position of Worshipful Master Counselor up until his death.
Worshipful Past Master Allin Mondesir
Allin Mondesir started his career at Jackson Memorial Hospital in 1979 and is still employed with them to this day. He was welcomed into the Masonic order in 1979. Worshipful Master Allin Mondesir followed into his father’s footstep who was also a Freemason. He subsequently climb the echelons and held these positions: Senior Warden, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Chaplain, Marshal, Secretary until such time when he was proclaimed by his brothers to the highest position of the lodge to Worshipful Master in 1999. He held this position for three years. After completing his first term, he was again unanimously chosen to hold this office for an additional term of two years. Allin held this position successfully for a total of 5 years consecutively. He is the first and only one to this day to have ever held this position for this long. He was titled Worshipful Master of Peace. He did not run for the following election as had made the decision to build a lodge that would welcome women as equals. For the next three years, he held prayers at Ms. Mauricette’s house and while there, he and others started the foundation of the lodge. The lodge he had envisioned opened its door in January 1, 2007. He was again asked to fulfill the position of worshipful master one more time, which he did for one year. He is now devoting his time, energy, and resources in the prayers and concentrating in obtaining our own location.
Allin is known by most that work at Jackson Memorial Hospital and he is appreciated and loved by all his co-workers. He is a source of light to his friends and to everyone who has ever encountered him.
Allin is known by most that work at Jackson Memorial Hospital and he is appreciated and loved by all his co-workers. He is a source of light to his friends and to everyone who has ever encountered him.
Worshipful Past Master Michel Castan
Michel Castan , after being in the company of brother masons who at the time were classmates or neighbors, I decided to submit an application for my admission to the universal great family, which is the freemasonry. My application procedure lasted about a year before receiving the approval of the lodge. It was on January 1 1977 at the “Respectable Loge L’Olivier, #79, Orient de Petion-Ville” that I received the Masonic light. My mother lodge was housed in “La Respectable Loge, La Verite” #47 Orient de Port-au-Prince.” Some years later, I left the country to go live in Miami. This is where I met some friends who introduced me to the Worshipful Master Jean Pierre Toussaint, to whom I expressed the desire to affiliate myself with a loge. His welcome was warm and courteous and since I have not stopped associating with freemasonry. I also offered my services whenever necessary. It is also important to stress that I joined the same loge as Worshipful Master Jean Pierre Toussaint in autumn of 1992, where I was able to meet a great number of brothers and amongst them brother Allin Mondesir with whom I developed a very good fraternal relationship. It was in 1999 when his brothers proclaimed him Worshipful Master, the highest position of the lodge. It is then, that he began prayer meetings for the sick every Thursday evening. Allin’s enthusiasm and dedication to this cause, led the majority of the members of the lodge to congregate around him. Thus, I joined him in preparing a collection of songs to this task.
It is due to ritual collaboration ritual that one day, Worshipful Master Allin Mondesir saw fit to appoint me as Secretary of the lodge and the following year I rose to Speaker (orateur).
Things went well with the grace of God and on December 23, 2007, I was appointed and coroneted Worshipful Master for the fiscal year 2008-2009 by the Worshipful Master Allin Mondesir in the presence of the Atelier. Now, I am still in exercise for the Venerala of 2009-2010.
It is due to ritual collaboration ritual that one day, Worshipful Master Allin Mondesir saw fit to appoint me as Secretary of the lodge and the following year I rose to Speaker (orateur).
Things went well with the grace of God and on December 23, 2007, I was appointed and coroneted Worshipful Master for the fiscal year 2008-2009 by the Worshipful Master Allin Mondesir in the presence of the Atelier. Now, I am still in exercise for the Venerala of 2009-2010.
Worshipful Master Yves Jean
Yves Jean was accepted in the Masonic order in 1967 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. After being told by a friend about the benefits gained from the Masonic Lodge, he sought the wisdom for himself. He then spent 12 years as a member in that Loge. He was also appointed as Tiler. He came to the United States in 1979, thereafter attended about four lodges, and still could not find a lodge where he could remain. He was then told about Allin’s prayer, and after his first meeting, he has been there since 1999. His motto is “Good will,” “order,” and “discipline.” He continuously prays for justice, and harmony.Worshipful Master Yves Jean is involved in many areas of the lodge and he is also one of counselors of the lodge. He abides by the rules of Love, Hope, and Charity.
Worshipful Master Josaphat Michaud
Josaphat Michaud serves as “Keeper of the Temple” to Worshipful Master Allin Mondesir tenure during the year 2000. Josaphat believed in the vision of having a lodge that would welcome both men and women and he devoted his time and energy in the construction of La Meditation. He is brother and a great defender of ‘truth.’ Even though, he is still a member of that same loge where he initially met Allin Mondesir, he remains due to his official position and important duty entrusted unto him. Nonetheless, He still supports and remains a close friend of “La Meditation.”
Worshipful Master Bernard Pierre Louis
Bernard Pierre Louis was born in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti. He is the fifth child among six siblings. He is an auto mechanic by trade. It was in the spring of 1956 when he met his wife Yvette Chrisphonte, whom he married in 1962 and still married to this day. He entered the Masonic order in 1972 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He moved to the United States in 1985. Two years later, he joined a lodge and this is where he met Allin Mondesir. They became good friends and remains to this day. Worshipful Master Pierre Louis is a teacher and counselors at the lodge.
Worshipful Master Edith Mondesir
Edith Mondesir, while she officially joined the Masonic order in 2007 when she was accepted as a freemason in “La Meditation.” Edith has been playing a key role in Masonic affairs since the time Allin Mondesir joined the craft. She started by coordinating their parties, by cooking and decorating. Her behind the scene involvement and support to the Masonic Order is inexhaustible.
Illustre Worshipful Master Ella Bordes
Ella Bordes has been a dedicated member of the Masonic order since she was accepted in the craft on June 22, 1998. Her tireless work has led her to be elevated to Worshipful Master. Mrs. Bordes’ involvement in founding in “La Respectable Loge La Meditation” is immeasurable. Mrs. Bordes met Allin Mondesir while attending the Thursday prayers and she had a remain a loyal proponent and supporter of the idea and need to have a mix lodge.
Sister Monique Vernan
Monique Vernan became a member of the Masonic organization in 2001, in Miami. She was a regular in the Thursday prayers during the year 2005 and 2006. Her positive support and search for a permanent building where the lodge “La Meditation” could be housed cannot be quantified. She played a key role in sustaining the Thursday prayers and in the founding of the Lodge.
Worshipful Master Serge Mentor
Serge Mentor entered the craft in 1981 and met Allin Mondesir in 1983 during which time Allin was referred to as the ‘Freemason of Saint Jean’ and they have been friends since. He was fond of Allin because if his willingness to share his knowledge. Because, of this unselfishness, Allin’s sharing of knowledge with the opposite sex was met with a lot of resistance by some members. Brother Mentor was one of the few that supported the idea and the vision that a lodge welcoming both sex as equals needs to be. He has been a member of the Thursday prayers since its inception.
Brother Eddy France
Eddy France has been a long time friend of Allin Mondesir. Their friendship has been ongoing for the last 40 years. He is a carpenter by trade and he put his skills to use early on in the construction of the lodge. He made the lodge’s first gavels that were used while we were still praying in our sister’s residence. He further put his skills to use in the actual construction of the Lodge “La meditation” of which he is a member. Mr. France in the past held such positions as Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, and Tiler. Eddy entered the craft in 1979 following his friendship with other freemasons whom he thought highly off. He continues to donate his time, energy, and skills to the lodge and he shares his accumulated knowledge about the craft freely with the members of the lodge.
Worshipful Master Elie Joseph
Worshipful Master Elie Joseph