(L to R) Attorney Phil Privitera and Yves-R. Maignan, the 71st Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Master for Massachusetts.

On December 8, 2017, Somerville attorney Philip Privitera was named an Honorary Lifetime brother of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall African Grand Lodge #459 at its 226th Annual Communication in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

Founded on July 3, 1776, the Most Worshipful African Grand Lodge #459 changed its name officially to the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge in 1847 out of respect for its founding father, abolitionist, and first Grand Master, Prince Hall.  There are now approximately 5,000 lodges and 47 Grand Lodges who trace their origins to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, jurisdiction Massachusetts.

Annually, Privitera participates in the Memorial Day rededication of the Prince Hall Cemetery in an area of Arlington located in the outskirts of present day Somerville. Privitera was twice invited to be a guest speaker at the annual Memorial Day ceremony.

Upon receiving the Prince Hall Lifetime Honor, Phil Privitera commented that it was one of the most touching moments of his life. He further reflected that he aspires to be a founding member of a joint lodge where a person can be a brother of both Masonic Jurisdictions simultaneously (i.e. the Prince Hall Grand Lodge and the Massachusetts Grand Lodge of Freemasons) without receiving a special dispensation or the hallowed distinction bestowed upon Privitera.

Phil Privitera is the presiding Worshipful Master of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Mystic Valley in Arlington, Massachusetts, and a familiar face at Somerville’s King Solomon’s Lodge at 125 Highland Avenue.

For more information on Prince Hall Freemasonry see go to www.princehall.org or to the Massachusetts Ancient Free and Accepted Masonry website at www.massmasons.org.