132nd Anniversary of the Passing of V.H. Andrés Cassard (February 3, 1894)
Father of Regular Cuban Freemasonry and Founder of the Grand Lodge of Cuba
On February 3, 1894, in the city of New York, the distinguished Freemason Venerable Hermano Andrés Cassard passed to the Eternal Lodge. Today, 132 years later, his legacy continues to illuminate the history of Cuban Freemasonry and the broader Masonic tradition of the Americas.
Cassard occupies a unique place in Masonic historiography. Born in the Caribbean and later established in the United States, he became a bridge between cultures, rites, and Masonic obediences during a period of profound political and social transformation. His intellectual rigor, organizational vision, and unwavering commitment to regularity positioned him as one of the most influential Masons of the 19th century.
His most enduring contribution was the creation of the Grand Lodge of Cuba, an institution conceived under the principles of regularity, sovereignty, and adherence to the Ancient Landmarks. Through his leadership, Cuban Freemasonry acquired a stable and legitimate structure, capable of integrating diverse traditions while maintaining fidelity to universal Masonic principles.
Cassard’s work extended beyond institutional organization. He was a prolific writer, translator, and educator, dedicated to making Masonic knowledge accessible to Spanish-speaking brethren. His publications and lectures helped shape the intellectual identity of Cuban and Latin American Freemasonry, promoting a culture of study, discipline, and moral refinement.
Remembering Andrés Cassard is not merely an act of historical homage. It is a reaffirmation of the values he defended: regularity, education, fraternity, and the preservation of cultural identity within the universal Masonic framework. His life reminds us that Freemasonry thrives when it embraces both tradition and progress, both national identity and universal brotherhood.
Today, as we commemorate the 132nd anniversary of his passing, we honor a visionary whose legacy continues to guide the work of countless lodges and Masons across the continent.
*Portrait of Andrés Cassard was also created using Artificial Intelligence from COPILOT, and is rendered in the style of Cuban painter Leopoldo Romañach (1862–1951), born in San Juan de los Remedios, Cuba. Known for his academic realism and mastery of light and composition, Romañach was a leading figure in Cuban art education and portraiture. The painting features warm tones, soft lighting, and precise brushwork that highlight Cassard’s dignified presence and Masonic insignia. The style evokes the solemn elegance of late 19th-century Cuban academic painting.
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