How do you become a freemason?

Question

I've recently contacted my local lodge and spoken with a Master Mason concerning my becoming a member. I was instructed to contact my local "Ambassador" and set an appointment with him, then when we meet he will instruct me further...

I find the masonry quite intriguing and have read good things and bad things about them during my decision making process - I was simply curious as to what the commitment's are, the steps in becoming a member, and what happens when you become one...?

I've also read that during the first three degrees of masonry that you are intentionally mislead by your lodge and with each degree earned you are rewarded with a "secret" is there truth to any of this or is it all nonsense? Thanks!

Answer 1

I am a Masonic Ambassador in Massachusetts and am able to answer your questions.

Tthe commitments required for being a member of a lodge, as stated in Masonic ritual, are that you must be a man, free-born, of good report, and well recommended. You must also believe in a higher power or supreme being, but you will only be asked this once, and never questioned about it again. The oaths that you hear about where you swear to have you heart cut out and your tongue torn out by the root, etc, if you divulge the secrets of a mason, is NOT a literal oath, and is only in the ritual to impress upon you that the obligation is to be taken seriously.

Once you are a member, you are required to attend meetings once a month, but of course, family and work are important and nobody will fault you for not going to a meeting. The thing is if you don't go, you won't ge to know the other members and make friends, which defeats the point of joining a fraternity.

As for being misled in the first 3 degrees and being rewarded a secret, that is someone's misunderstanding of the legend around which Freemasonry's first 3 degrees are based. It is all based on the building of King Solomon's temple, and how workers, as they were raised to higher levels of building knowledge, were passed on new secrets of their trade, as well as secret ways of knowing each other, even in the dark. Those are the only real secrets.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me.

Answer 2

I can honestly say that I've never heard the term "ambassador". Perhaps he meant the person who has agreed to sign your petition for membership? The process is that you get 2 Master Masons to sign your petition, and then you submit it with the petition fee. It is read in open lodge, and a committee is assigned to meet with you and your family, usually at your home, to ensure that you are of Masonic character, and to make sure that your wife is ok with the time you will be spending in lodge. If it appears that it will cause issues on the homefront, you will probably not be accepted. Then, the results of the visitation are read in the next open lodge meeting and a ballot is taken to determine wether you will be admitted. The vote must be unanimous in your favor. if it is, you will be contacted and informed when your initiation (Entered Apprentice degree) will be conferred. There will be no hazing, although it will be an experience that you will remember. There is no misleading, but of course you will be learning a bit more with each degree. That is the point of the degree system. You will have to demonstrate proficeincy in each degree before being allowed to take the next. This is done by a memorized set of questions and answers. Once you have comlpeted your third degree, you will be a Master Mason, and will have voting privilleges in the lodge, and will be allowed to display Masonic symbols if you so desire (a ring, lapel pin, car emblem, etc). A Master Mason may choose to join any one of a number of connected bodies, such as the Scottish Rite which confers an additional 29 degrees, or the Yor Rite which confers an additional 10. Neither is a promotion, as ANY Master Mason may petition to receive these degrees, but they can be rewarding, and offer deeper insight into the fraternity. The commitment you will be asked to make is that you pay your dues, attend your degrees, and practice your proficeincy examinations. This does involve a good bit of personal committment on your part, but if you study hard, you can usualy be finished with the process in 3-4 months. Hope that answers all your questions. You can feel free to email me at [e-mail]

Answer 3

there are different ways in different States. however basically a man interested in petitioning a Masonic Lodge for membership contacts a Man whom he knows to be a mason. he then requests a petition from the mason to the Lodge he intends to petition. a petition must be filled out and signed by two members of the Lodge and turned in to the Lodge with the required initiation fee. the petition is read at the Lodge's next stated meeting when the Worshipful Master will appoint an investigating committee to interview the petitioner in person. once the investigation has interviewed the petitioner they report back to the Lodge at the next stated meeting. the petitioner is voted on and once accepted he is informed as to his acceptance. one the petitioner is accepted the Worshipful Master makes arrangements for the petitioner to take the three degrees of Entered Apprentice then the Fellow Craft and finally the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. there are requirements the candidate must perform before he advances from one degree to the next.

a candidate can not wear any Masonic jewelry until he has obtained the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason.

no matter what anyone says there is no " higher degree " than the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason even if one takes the York Rite or Scottish Rite ( 32nd ) Degrees and becomes a Shriner.

Answer 4

To become a Freemason you must:

-Be a man of at least 21 years of age
-Be of good moral character
-Have a personal belief in a Supreme Being (the definition of a Supreme Being is a personal matter for each individual)
-Decide to become a Mason of "your own free will and accord" without expectation of any material gain or benefits
-Be loyal to your country
-Be dedicated to providing for your own family
-Have a sincere determination to conduct yourself in a manner that will earn the respect and trust of others
-Possess a desire to help others through community service and universal benevolence

TO PURSUE YOUR INTEREST IN BECOMING A MEMBER follow these steps:

-Talk with someone you know who is a Freemason
-If you do not know anyone who is a Mason, contact a Lodge in your neighbourhood
-Masons do not solicit for members. You'll need to express your personal interest in joining Freemasonry
-You may be invited to meet with the Lodge Committee or selected Members to discuss your application and to answer your questions.
-Subject to you being considered eligible and properly motivated you will be asked to complete an application for membership and return it to your local Lodge Secretary

GOOD LUCK!

These are all the degrees:

1 Entered Apprentice
2 Fellow Craft
3 Master Mason
4 Secret Master
5 Perfect Master
6 Intimate Secretary
7 Provost and Judge
8 Intendant of the Building
9 Master Elect of Nine
10 Elect of Fifteen
11 Sublime Master Elected
12 Grand Master Architect
13 Master of the Ninth Arch
14 Grand Elect Mason
15 Knight of the East, or Sword
16 Prince of Jerusalem
17 Knight of the East and West
18 Knight of the Rose Croix of H.R.D.M.
19 Grand Pontiff
20 Master ad Vitam
21 Patriarch Noachite
22 Prince of Libanus
23 Chief of the Tabernacle
24 Prince of The Tabernacle
25 Knight of the Brazen Serpent
26 Prince of Mercy
27 Commander of the Temple
28 Knight of the Sun
29 Knight of St. Andrew
30 Grand Elect Knight Kadosh
31 Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander
32 Sublime Prince of The Royal Secret

They range from symbolic, ineffable, historical, traditional, and chivalric.

Answer 5

Run my friend....RUN