How to become a member of Freemasons

How to Become a Mason?

Learn about the tradition of Freemasonry and how to become a member of this esteemed brotherhood.

Who are Freemasons?

Masons, or Freemasons, are members of the largest and oldest fraternity in the world, with more than two million active members. Freemasonry originated in the late 16th century, and its members have included kings, presidents, scholars, and religious figures.

Preparing to become a member of Freemasons

Learn Freemasonry basics. Freemasonry was established by men who shared a commitment to supporting each other in friendship and fellowship. For thousands of years, men have found spiritual and philosophical fulfillment as members of the fraternity, which still operates on the same core values. In order to become a member of Freemasons, it is necessary to meet these requirements:

• You must be a male.
• Your must have a sound reputation, and be well-recommended by your peers.
• In most freemasonry jurisdictions, you must believe in a Supreme Being, regardless of your religion.
• You must be over the age of 18 years.

You should be interested in character building and morality. The Freemason motto is “better men make a better world.” Freemasonry stresses honor, personal responsibility and personal integrity.

Separate the hype from the truth. Books like The Da Vinci Code have perpetuated the notion that Freemasonry is a secret society with designs on taking over the world. Hidden symbols are said to be scattered around Washington, DC and other cities. The truth is that Freemasons are not part of any such conspiracy, and people who attempt to join Freemasonry hoping to gain access to secrets are not approaching the fraternity with the right intentions.

Requesting Membership to the Masonic Fraternity

The easiest way to begin your membership initiation process is to contact your local Masonic, District or Provincial Lodge. Do some web search about Masonic, District or Provincial Lodges and say you are interested in joining. There are a few other ways to start the process depending in which part of the world you’re applying to, it’s probably best if you start locally. The process will start from there:

Find an active Freemason. Many Freemasons proudly display the Masonic symbol on bumper stickers, hats, and clothing or ring. They are happy to talk to people who wish to find out more information.
Some jurisdictions require that potential members approach the brotherhood of their own accord, but others allow members to issue invitations. If you have been invited to become a Freemason by a known member, feel free to take the next steps.

Accept an invitation to meet with the Freemasons. After your petition has been reviewed, you will be called to the Lodge for an interview with a group of Freemasons who form an Investigative Committee. You will be asked questions concerning your reasons for wanting to become a Freemason, your history, and your character.

Becoming a member of Freemasons

To become a Freemason, you must proceed through the process of obtaining three symbolic degrees. The Entered Apprentice is the first degree, and introduces candidates to the basic principles of Freemasonry.

The second, Fellow Craft degree continues to teach candidates the principles of their new membership, especially their close association with the arts and sciences.

The Master Mason degree is the highest degree a Freemason can earn, and the most difficult.

• Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in the values of Freemasonry.
• Completion of the degree is celebrated with a ceremony.
• In the US, the average time elapsed from the initial petition to the Lodge to receiving the Master Mason degree is four to eight months.