Freemasonry is a brotherhood of men committed to lives of honor, integrity, and character. The men of Freemasonry are on a journey of self discovery. For hundreds of years, Freemasons, with deep brotherly support, have worked to become the best version of themselves while working to better their communities and our world.
How does one become a Freemason?
- Be a male at least 18 years of age (the minimum age varies in some jurisdictions, sometimes up to 21)
- Believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, although Freemasonry is not concerned with theological distinctions or particular religious beliefs
- Be of good moral character
- Be motivated to become a Freemason for reasons unrelated to personal gain or profit
- Your decision to petition is based on your own “free will and accord”
- Be prompted by a favorable opinion of Freemasonry
- Be desirous of earning knowledge and willing to conform to the ancient usages and customs of the fraternity
Are you a secret society?
Freemasonry is not a secret society. However, it is often said that we are a society with secrets. More than likely a secret society would not have a public website, or invite the public to social gatherings and other events. However, there are secrets that can be learned after one becomes a Freemason.
I turned in a petition, now what? How long does the process take.
Once you have turned in your petition and petition fee, it is read in the next lodge meeting. An investigation committee is then appointed and they will contact you to conduct your formal investigation. A background check is also done.
The petition is read again in another upcoming meeting and the investigation committee makes their recommendation. If there are no objections a ballot occurs. If elected, a member of the lodge will contact you to arrange for you initiation into the fraternity as an Entered Apprentice.
The above part of the process can take 1 to 3 months.
Following your initiation you are then scheduled for your Fellowcraft and Master Mason degrees. During this time you are mentored and receive education on what each of the degrees mean.
From petitioning to receiving your Master Mason degree can be anywhere between 4 and 12 months.
In Freemasonry, the lodge means two things. It refers to a group of Masons coming together in fellowship, and, at the same time, refers to the room or building in which they meet.
There are thousands of Masonic lodges in the U.S. and many more worldwide. The lodge itself typically consists of a lodge room where official business and Masonic rituals are conducted, as well as several additional areas for Brothers to share meals, spend time together, host public and private events, and more.
What are the degrees of Freemasonry?
There are three degrees of Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason.
These degrees are the three ceremonial stages that a man must complete to become a full member of the Masonic fraternity. Collectively, these degrees are known as the symbolic lodge (often called blue lodge).
The Masonic degrees are loosely based upon the journeyman system, which was used to educate Medieval craftsmen. At each educational stage, a craftsman was required to achieve proficiency before moving to the next stage. Symbolically, the degrees represent the three stages of human development: youth, manhood, and age. By advancing through the degrees, a Freemason learns the moral and ethical lessons of the Masonic rite.
What is the highest rank in Freemasonry?
The highest rank in Freemasonry is the third degree, that of the Master Mason. While some Masonic organizations offer additional degrees that explore the teachings of Freemasonry in further depth, those degrees are not considered to be higher than the Master Mason degree.
Is Freemasonry a religion?
Freemasonry is not a religion or a substitute for religion. Freemasonry does not intrude on the religious beliefs of its members, although it does require that all members profess a belief in a Supreme Being. Men of all faiths are represented in Freemasonry. Religion is not discussed at lodge meetings.
Why does Freemasonry use symbols?
Freemasonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. Symbols allow people to communicate quickly, and to transcend language barriers. When you see a green light or a circle with a line through it, for example, you know what it means. Likewise, Masons use metaphors from geometry and the architecture of stonemasonry to inform their continuing pursuit of knowledge, ethics, and leadership skills.
To reflect their heritage, Masons wear aprons while in lodge, at certain public events, and at funerals to demonstrate their pride in the fraternity, and their lineage from stonemasons, who historically carried their tools in leather aprons. The square and compasses are the most widely known symbol of Masonry: When you see the symbol on a building, you know that Masons meet there.
Where did Freemasonry come from?
The exact origins of Freemasonry remain lost in time. The order is thought to have arisen from the English and Scottish guilds of practicing stonemasons and cathedral builders in the Middle Ages. Certain Masonic documents actually trace the sciences of geometry and masonry to the time of ancient Egypt and the building of King Solomon's Temple.
The formation of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717 marks the beginning of the Modern (or “Speculative”) era of Freemasonry, when members were no longer limited to actual working stonemasons. These “Accepted” Masons adopted more enlightened philosophies, and turned what was a tradesmen’s organization into a fraternity for moral edification, intellectual recitation, benevolent service, and gentlemanly socialization.
Part of the mystique of Freemasonry can be attributed to speculation about its roots. Over the years, historians have never been able to conclusively determine exactly when, where, how, and why Freemasonry was formed.
I heard some U.S. Presidents were Freemasons, is this true?
Yes, there were several U.S. Presidents who were known to be Freemasons. There are others who were rumored to be a Freemason but not confirmed. President Abraham Lincoln desired to be a Freemason after his term as President was over, however, due to his assassination, he never got that opportunity.
The following U.S. Presidents are confirmed to be Freemasons:
- George Washington
- Thomas Jefferson
- James Madison
- James Monroe
- Andrew Jackson
- James K Polk
- James Buchanan
- Andrew Johnson
- James Garfield
- William McKinley
- Theodore Roosevelt
- William Howard Taft
- Warren G Harding
- Franklin D Roosevelt
- Harry S Truman
- Gerald Ford