- What is Freemasonry?
- Where can I get more information about the Freemasons?
- What are the requirements to become a Mason?
- How do I become a Freemason?
- What are the time and/or financial commitments of being a Mason?
- Where did Freemasonry come from?
- Why is there so much interest in Masonry today?
- What are the benefits of becoming a Mason?
- Can Freemasonry actually prepare me for greatness?
- Is Masonry a secret society?
- What about secret handshakes, ritual, and passwords?
- What is Masonic "ritual?"
- Why aren't there any famous women who are Masons?
- Is Masonry a Religion?
- Is Freemasonry a charity?
- Finally....
Freemasonry 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 from geometry and architecture - about building values based on great universal truths. Finally, charity and community service is fundamental to Freemasonry and something we actively take part in.
Anyone meeting the following primary requirements may petition a Saskatchewan Lodge for membership:
Ask!
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? But if you meet the requirements above, it is really quite simple:
Most men can become a Mason by simply asking - like Sir John A. MacDonald, Tim Horton, and most every Mason from the past to the present day. Each Lodge manages the membership process for its candidates. In general, men seek out a Lodge near their home or work (the "Find a Lodge Near You" feature will help you find the nearest Lodge), or they ask a Mason to recommend a Lodge to them. Once you've found a Lodge you would like to join, let them know of your interest and they will provide you with a petition.
If you are unanimously elected by the members of a Lodge, joining the Fraternity involves going through three "Degrees": Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. Every man accepted into the Fraternity goes through the Degrees, thereby making each an equal to the others in the Lodge. Typically they are conferred during a Lodge's monthly meeting over the course of three months.
Where can I get more information about the Freemasons?
The best way to get information is to talk to a Mason - either in person or online. The "Find a Lodge Near You" feature has the name and contact information of a Brother for every lodge inSaskatchewan. He will answer your questions and provide you with additional information; and, if you would like, find a convenient time to meet, introduce you to some other members, and tour their building. You may have some of the same questions as those below - so take a look at the FAQ's.
What are the requirements to become a Mason?
- You are an adult male (18 or older) of good character and recommended by a Saskatchewan Mason.
- You believe in a Supreme Being - no atheist or agnostic 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; and, your decision to apply is based on your own "free will and accord" - no one compelled you to join.
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? But if you meet the requirements above, it is really quite simple:
What if I don't know a Mason who can recommend me?
It is quite possible you know a Mason, but you just don't realize it. If your father, uncles, or grandfathers aren't Masons, they probably know someone who is. You might also want to ask around your workplace or school, church, or gym - anywhere that you find a group of men, you might find a Mason. Although Masons tend to be very proud of their association with the Fraternity, they are often uncomfortable talking about it. It is particularly difficult for them to speak with their friends or family members because they don't want to push Masonry on them. They might very well be looking forward to the opportunity to speak with you; more importantly, they would be honored to sponsor you for membership.What are the time and/or financial commitments of being a Mason?
Where did Freemasonry come from?
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 born.
Why is there so much interest in Masonry today?
What are the benefits of becoming a Mason?
Can Freemasonry actually prepare me for greatness?
No organization can guarantee to make anyone great - the capacity and motivation must come from the individual - but the powerful values and important truths that are taught as part of the Masonic tradition have proven to inspire, challenge, and develop leadership in men. One of the founding fathers of the United States of America, Benjamin Franklin, may have said it best, describing the Fraternity as a place to "prepare himself."Today, men are preparing themselves for greatness in Lodges the world over. If you think there's greatness in you, we invite your interest.
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 in libaries, on the Internet, and in many books on the subject. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "The great secret of Freemasonry is that there is no secret at all."
Freemasonry, often called the "Craft" by its members, is founded on metaphors of architecture. Following the practice of the ancient stonemason guilds, Freemasons use special handshakes, words, and symbols to not only to identify each other, but to help, as William Preston said in 1772, "imprint upon the memory wise and serious truths."
Although every Freemason takes an obligation - and vows to keep the secrets of Masonry - it doesn't matter to him that you can find the secrets in print; what matters is that he keeps his promise. And the secrets he is protecting are only used to help Masons become better men; and there's certainly no secret surrounding what it takes to be good and true.
Why aren't there any famous women who are Masons?
Freemasonry is, by definition, a fraternity that aims to promote Brotherly Love and Friendship among its members. It is a worldwide organization that draws together men and helps cultivate and promote better relationships and the bonds of friendships between them. Freemasonry doesn't focus on Friendship and Brotherly Love because it believes that only relations between men are important, or that relations between men and women are unimportant, but because hope for peace and harmony in the world is improved when men can put aside their differences and come together as friends.
Masonry is not a religion. But it is one of the few platforms where men of all faiths - Christians, including Catholics, Jews, Muslims, and men of every other faith - can come together because it is open to all men who believe in a Supreme Being; but religion is not discussed at Masonic meetings. Although Lodges open and close with a prayer and Masonry teaches morality, it is not a church or a religion. Masonry does not have a theology or dogma, it does not offer sacraments, and it does not offer the promise of salvation.