What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry, sometimes just called Masonry, is the world’s oldest and largest fraternity. It aims to promote Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love among its members — men from every race, religion, opinion, and background — who are brought together as Brothers to develop and strengthen the bonds of friendship. There are more than 3 million members meeting in nearly every free country in the world. Freemasonry proposes to “make good men better” by teaching — with metaphors taken from geometry and architecture — about building values based on great universal truths. And of course, charity and community service is fundamental to Freemasonry and something we actively take part in.
Where can I get more information about the Freemasons?
The best way to get information is to talk to a Mason — either online or in person. In Massachusetts you can visit massfreemasonry.org to find a lodge local to you. Usually the Secretary of the Lodge or the Membership Chairman, will answer your questions and provide you with additional information. If you would like, he can usually arrange a convenient time to meet, introduce you to some other members, give you a tour of the lodge building, and answer your questions.
What are the requirements to become a Mason?
Although exact membership requirements may vary slightly from country to country and state to state, generally anyone meeting the following requirements may apply for membership in a Masonic lodge.
You are an adult male (18 in Massachusetts) of good character and recommended by a Mason.
You believe in a Supreme Being — no atheist can become a Mason — but we are not concerned with theological distinctions or your particular religious beliefs.
You are interested in becoming a Mason because you hold a favorable opinion of our institution
You have not been improperly influenced to join.
How do I become a Freemason?
Because Masons have not traditionally recruited members, and do not hold public meetings, there has long been confusion about how to join the Fraternity. Does someone ask you? Do you ask?
If you meet the requirements above, it is really quite simple. Most men can become a Mason just by asking. In general, men seek out a Lodge near their home or work or they ask a Mason to recommend a Lodge to them.
What if I don’t know a Mason who can recommend me? How do I find a Lodge?
The best resource for the information you need is the Grand Lodge that presides over your jurisdiction (your state or province in North America, your country most everywhere else in the world). In Massachusetts you can visit massfreemasonry.org to find a lodge that’s convenient to your home or workplace.
What are the Degrees?
The Degrees are three formal ceremonies of initiation which communicate to the new Mason certain benevolent tenets and truths that have been passed down among Masons for generations. The three Degrees - Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason - teach the value of true friendship, the benefits of knowledge, and the necessity of helping those in need.
It speaks to the power and impact our Degrees have on men’s hearts and minds that they have stood the test of time for more than 300 years. Although our world has changed dramatically during that time, the message and meaning of our Degrees is virtually the same.
What are the time and financial commitments of being a Mason?
Time: Becoming a Mason takes several months from the time you complete your application until you have finished your degrees. You will take the degrees at three separate meetings of your lodge. Following each degree Massachusetts Masons attend a “Lodge of Instruction,” to receive further explanation about the degree you just experienced. You will also be required to commit part of what you have learned to memory. Every member of the Fraternity has gone through this process and your lodge will assign a Brother to help you.
Once you have completed your three degrees, we expect our members to attend their lodge’s “Stated Communication,” or monthly meeting, although it is not required. Sometimes there will be a special meeting on a second night in a month, and rarely, you may find some lodges that have stated meetings twice a month. Beyond that, there are other activities going on: community service, family and social outings, etc. that take place throughout the year.
We hope our members will participate in the events that their time and interest allows. Every member must maintain the proper balance of family, work or school, masonic, and other interests and commitments. Like many things, you will get out of Freemasonry what you put into it.
Financial: Considering the cost to join many organizations these days, Freemasonry is a bargain. But there are some costs involved, like initiation fees and dues.
Every lodge has a one-time initiation fee. The amount varies from lodge to lodge. In Massachusetts, for example, initiation generally runs between $100 and $250, with the average around $150. Annual dues charged by your lodge will run between $50 and $150, with $75 being the average. Finally, there are Grand Lodge dues, which are currently $66 in Massachusetts.
Where did Freemasonry come from?
Part of the mystique of Freemasonry can be attributed to speculation about its roots. Over the years, historians have tried but have never been able to conclusively determine, exactly when, where, how, and why Freemasonry was formed.
It is certain, however, that the Fraternity evolved from the stone masons in Scotland and England, who were the architects and builders of the Middle Ages. These men had ceremonies of admitting and promoting their workers that were elaborate for the time. Because they traveled from place to place seeking work it was necessary that be able to identify themselves as qualified masons. Various modes of recognition were adopted to prove that the mason had received proper training. A lodge was a temporary building erected by masons at a building site. The lodge served as a workshop, school, hospital, as well as a shelter from the elements.
In the 1600s men who were not masons by trade began to be received as honorary or “accepted” members. The formation of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717 by these accepted masons marks the beginning of the modern Freemasonry. The accepted masons transformed what was a tradesmen’s organization into a fraternity for fellowship, moral edification, and benevolent service.
Today, men seek out Masonry for the same reasons — to better themselves and improve society in the company of like-minded brothers.
What are the benefits of becoming a Mason?
There are numerous benefits to being a Mason, but they tend to be personal, and quite varied. The benefits can only be truly discovered by becoming a member. But we can try to give you an idea. Without question you will have the opportunity to experience camaraderie and fellowship with a group of men across the boundaries of age, race, religion, culture, and opinion. This is a fundamental concept to the Fraternity. Many find great value and knowledge in our ceremonies that use symbolism and metaphors to encourage and remind us to appreciate principles of ethics and morality, and to live our lives accordingly. Others find great satisfaction in our charitable efforts, community service, and the support we provide our members and their families. Finally, for those who take on leadership positions within their lodge, they have the chance to develop or further very practical management skills.
Is Masonry a Religion?
Masonry is not a religion. Because it is open to all men who believe in a Supreme Being, it is one of the few platforms where men of all faiths — Christians, Jews, Muslims, and men of every other faith, can come together. Although Lodges open and close with a prayer and Masonry teaches morality, it is not a church or a religion. Religion is not discussed at Masonic meetings. Masonry does not have a theology or a dogma, it does not offer sacraments, and it does not offer the promise of salvation.
Is Freemasonry a charity?
No. Masonic principles teach the value of relief (charity), and Freemasons give more than $2 million A DAY to charitable causes, along with countless man hours. More than 70% of these donations support the general public. Among their works are the Shriners Hospitals for Children, with 22 sites throughout North America that include world renowned burn centers and orthopedic facilities; almost 225 Learning Centers that help children with dyslexia, speech and hearing disorders; the Masonic Youth Child Identification Program (MYCHIP), and the Masonic Angel Foundation, providing modest assistance to children and adults in local communities who do not fit the criteria for usual social-services. Throughout America and world, there are numerous other worthy causes and groups that local Lodges contribute to and help in their communities.
Is Masonry a secret society?
No. It is sometimes said that Freemasonry is a “Society with secrets, not a secret society.” In point of fact, however, any purported Masonic “secrets” were made public several centuries ago in London newspapers, and today can be found on the Internet, television, and in many books on the subject. Benjamin Franklin once said, “The great secret of Freemasonry is that there is no secret at all.” But some say the one great secret of Freemasonry… is finding out who you really are.
Just because the secrets have been made public doesn’t mean everyone understands the mystery of Masonry. In fact, much of the appeal of the Craft is that the great truths revealed in Masonic ceremonies appeal both to the head and the heart. Like the building of any great structure, the powerful metaphors and symbols of Masonry build character — and sometimes greatness — one stone at a time.
“Freemasonry builds its temples in the hearts of men.”