Making Good Men Better.
Freemasonry is the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. Its members share a common goal of helping each other become better men. Its body of knowledge and system of ethics is based on the belief that each man has a responsibility to improve himself while being devoted to his family, faith, country, and fraternity.
Its roots go back centuries and its members are diverse: high profile leaders, physicians, construction workers, farmers…and maybe you.
Ancient…and modern.
We’re united by three ancient and fundamental principles—brotherly love, charity and truth—that are made relevant to the 21st century through the personal development, good works and social connections available to our members in the 550+ lodges across Ontario.
Great benefits…for you and the world.
Freemasonry offers much to its members—the opportunity to grow, the chance to make a difference and the means to build a better world for our children. It offers the chance to socialize and work with men who have the same values and ideals.
We strengthen and improve our character by learning and practicing basic virtues of fraternal love, charity, and truth. Our principles extend far beyond our interactions with each other, and we strive to apply them to our daily lives.
And there’s so much more.
It’s easy to learn about Masons—starting with the pages of this website. Need more details? Looking for a Mason in your community to share his personal perspective? Send an email, call or drop by your local Masonic lodge.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP?
Twenty-two words establish the most important prerequisite to becoming a Mason. ” . . . We receive none, knowingly, into our ranks who are not moral and upright before God and of good repute before the world . . .”
WILL I BE ASKED TO JOIN?
NO! Hopefully, if the concepts and principles of Masonry as enumerated in this folder interest you, you will not need to be asked to join. You must ask to become a Freemason. Unfortunately, many men who would like to become Masons never do because they are unaware of the above-mentioned requirement (that it be of your own free will and accord, and you must ask to join the Fraternity). If you desire to learn more about Masonic membership, feel free to contact a Mason to satisfy yourself concerning Freemasonry. As Freemasons, we believe that membership in an organization as worthy as ours must come from a “sincere wish of being serviceable to your fellow creatures” and not because of coaxing, coercement, or of any promise of material gain of any kind.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE INITIATION?
An applicant, whose petition has been accepted by the lodge, is advised of the date his Entered Apprentice Degree has been scheduled. On that date, following a brief Ritualistic opening, the petitioner is properly prepared and introduced to the lodge. The solemn process is an enlightening experience and the candidate need never worry that embarrassing or compromising situations will arise during this (or any other degree) – THEY WILL NOT!
After receiving the Entered Apprentice Degree, you will be expected to memorize several key passages of the Ritual and help will be extended in the teaching/learning process.
Having learned the required Ritualistic work and satisfying the lodge of that proficiency, you will be asked to return for the conferral of your Fellow Craft Degree. Following a proficiency examination on that Degree, you will advance to the “last and highest grade of Ancient Craft Masonry – the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason.”
Only after having completed these three symbolic degrees will you truly understand the often-quoted statement, “Freemasonry Builds Its Temples in the Hearts of Men.”
