LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — Ceremonies are simple affairs

Regarding the editorial “Engineering some respect” (T.N.M., Jan. 17/94) and the reference to the Ritual of the Calling of the Engineer, the described conditions do not apply to Section No. 10 Quebec of the Corporation of the Seven Wardens Inc./Societe des Sept Gardiens.

Our field of activities is Quebec City and Chicoutimi. In both places, the annual “obligating ceremony” is a major event. Relatives and friends of graduating engineers are invited.

The ceremony is sober and is distinguished by its simplicity and cleanliness. There is no mummery, no cape, no flash, no ornaments — just well-dressed persons and a banderole which reads: “Societe des Sept Gardiens.” The objective of the “obligation” and the full meaning of Kipling’s text are well-known beforehand by all.

Rather than my trying to describe the ceremony, you should send an editor to one of the ceremonies to see how we do it in our neck of the woods. (It may be different elsewhere in Canada.)

The Quebec City ceremony is scheduled for April 9 and 508 participants are expected, along with 1,000 guests. The Chicoutimi ceremony will take place May 7. The wardens of Section No. 10 would be delighted if you were to attend. Yvon R. Tasse

Chief Warden’s Study

Section No. 10

Societe des Sept Gardiens

Sillery, Que.