Robert Burns Lodge No. 127 is unashamedly a Texas lodge bearing allegiance to the Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M. We take immense pride in our Masonic endeavors as required by the grand lodge. At the same time, and in true Texan/Scottish style, we embellish the edges of that experience to provide a unique experience for our guests. We like to think that both our Texan and Scottish Brethren will feel right at home during one of our meetings.

Beginning with the first speculative lodges in the 18th Century, it was expected that a gentleman would "dress" for lodge. This often meant a black suit or even white tie and tails. In rural America, it was common for a man to have one suit that he was "married in, buried in, and went to church and lodge in." In keeping with these traditions, Robert Burns Lodge expects members to wear a tuxedo or Highland Dress and white gloves for each meeting. Visitors are requested to match the members' dress code or wear a dark suit. However, no Master Mason from the Grand Lodge of Texas or another Grand Lodge recognized by it will be turned away for not adhering to the dress code as long as their attire is not offensive or inappropriate.

In many Masonic organizations, it is customary for the officers to process into the meeting room to take their places. While this is not common in Texas lodges, Robert Burns Lodge's procession behind our bagpiper is one of the ways we display our "Scots accent." Similarly, the members and their guests form in procession upon arriving at the venue for Harmony and process inside.

As a nod to the Preservation Society, members and guests are invited to a "no host" dinner following each stated meeting. Held in the style of a festive board using a script handed down from English Masons, this is the "heart and soul" of Robert Burns Lodge. The evening includes great food and fellowship and world-class Masonic education. Festive Boards and dining together are common in Freemasonry around the world. We use the term "Harmony" which is the generally accepted Scottish term for this experience.

Unique to Robert Burns Lodge amongst Texas lodges, we occasionally recognize a Master Mason for distinguished service to the lodge or to Freemasonry in general by creating them Honorary Past Masters. This designation does not confer membership in the lodge or any of the customary rights & privileges of a Past Master but is simply our way of saying "thank you" for their contributions. Honorary Past Masters are presented with the Robert Burns Jewel suspended from a red ribbon in tribute to their zeal for the fraternity.

Once a year, Robert Burns Lodge offers its members and guests access to a top-level Masonic scholar, selected from an international pool, and invited to lecture on a Masonic topic of symbolic, esoteric, or historical significance. The Annual Robert Burns Lecture is the primary responsibility of the Worshipful Society of Past Masters on behalf of the Lodge.

Our Annual Masonic Burns Night features a traditional Burns Supper complete with a formal bagpipe parade and ceremonial Address to the Haggis. Members and guests are served an authentic Scottish meal and enjoy an evening of celebration with proper honors extended to the United States of America, Grand Lodge of Texas, & Masonic brethren all.

This festive board is conducted over dinner and follows an adapted German ritual with banquet tables arranged in a U-shaped configuration and a seating order designed to promote structure and fellowship. The Robert Burns Festive Board includes the tradition of Masonic Fire--a series of toasts to our country & fraternity each followed by a formal battery and Vivat salute.

The Forget-Me-Not serves as a reminder of those Freemasons who were executed by the Third Reich before and during World War II. The tiny blue flower became a secret way for Masons in Nazi-controlled areas to identify themselves to each other. Each year in June, as we celebrate the peaceful transition of leadership from one presiding officer to the next, we wear the Forget-Me-Not in memory of those who fought and died to allow our fraternity to survive around the world.

During our tenth anniversary, the lodge determined that assisting with the preservation of the George Washington Inaugural Bible would be our annual charity. At the same time, we decided to acquire replica copies of the Bible from St. Johns Lodge No. 2 in New York for presentation to those men who receive the Degrees of Freemasonry in our lodge.

The members of Robert Burns Lodge wear three distinctive lapel pins at various times of the year. The first two, which are traditionally worn all year, are the Members' lapel pin and the Past Masters' lapel pin. The third, traditionally only worn to the annual firing ceremony in June, is the Forget-Me-Not flower.

Robert Burns wore a distinctive jewel for the four years he served as Depute Master of Lodge St. James Kilwinning Tarlbolton in Scotland. We have adopted this jewel for use to distinguish those who have served our lodge as presiding officers. Just as Burns did, our Past Masters wear the jewel suspended from a thin watered-blue ribbon around the neck.

Education has always been a central component of Freemasonry. As a nod to our namesake - the Poet Laureate of Lodge Canongate Kilwinning No. 2 and Poet Laureate of Jamaica - Robert Burns Lodge internally refers to the chairman of our Education Committee as "Poet Laureate." Although not an officer of the lodge, this important role exists to ensure that our members are provided with Masonic education at each meeting.

The Past Masters' lapel pin is identical to the Robert Burns Jewel. The Members' Pin is a thin arrow with marks to represent a single set of flocked feathers and an "x" across the shaft. This was Robert Burns' "mark" chosen by him as part of the Mark Master Mason's Degree. While separate from the lodge in the United States, it would have been conferred by his lodge in Scotland.

Composed of our Actual and Honorary Past Masters, this organization within the lodge serves as advisors and mentors to the officers and members, caretakers of the Robert Burns Experience, and organizes the annual Robert Burns Lecture.