Freemasonry FAQ

What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry is a brotherhood of men committed to honor, integrity, character, self-improvement, and service. For hundreds of years, Freemasons have worked to become better men while supporting their communities and one another.

Why should I become a Freemason?

Becoming a Freemason can provide personal growth, fellowship, and a stronger connection to the community. Freemasonry is built on the principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth. Its purpose is often described as “making good men better.”

A Freemason is someone who seeks moral improvement, respects history and tradition, values service, and desires to be part of something larger than himself.

Who can become a Freemason?

Freemasonry welcomes men from many backgrounds, countries, faiths, professions, and walks of life. To petition for membership, a man must generally:

• Be at least 21 years old.
• Believe in the existence of a Supreme Being.
• Be of good moral character.
• Seek membership for reasons unrelated to personal gain or profit.
• Apply of his own free will and accord.
• Have a favorable opinion of Freemasonry.
• Be willing to learn and conform to the ancient usages and customs of the fraternity.

How do I apply to become a Freemason?

A man interested in becoming a Freemason may contact a local lodge, reach out to his state’s Grand Lodge, or speak with a Mason he knows. The process begins by submitting a petition for membership.

After the petition is received, members of the lodge typically form a small committee to meet with the petitioner, answer questions, and determine whether he meets the qualifications for membership.

What is a Masonic lodge?

In Freemasonry, the word “lodge” can refer both to a group of Masons meeting together in fellowship and to the room or building where they meet.

The term “lodge” itself comes from the structures that stonemasons built against the sides of cathedrals during construction. In winter, when building work had to stop, they lived in these lodges and worked at carving stone.

A Masonic lodge is more than a building. It is a living organization made up of its members, a group of men who make solemn obligations to one another and become brothers in Masonry and in life.

A lodge usually includes a lodge room for official business and Masonic ceremonies, along with areas for meals, fellowship, public events, and private gatherings.

No two Masonic lodges are exactly the same. Each has its own personality, shaped by its members. Beyond monthly meetings, a Masonic lodge may be a place for dinners, special events, charitable work, and fellowship.

From the outside, a Masonic lodge can look ordinary. Inside the lodge room, Freemasonry comes to life through tradition, ritual, symbols, artifacts, and the shared values of brotherly love, relief, and truth.

A unique aspect of lodge life is the coming together of men from different generations, religions, races, economic backgrounds, and political beliefs. The common bond is a desire to become better men and to support one another.

Above all, a Masonic lodge represents open arms, a helping hand, and brotherly love to every Mason, anywhere, at any time.

How can I find a Masonic lodge near me?

There are Masonic lodges in or near many cities and towns throughout the United States. If you are in the Towson or Baltimore County area, Mount Moriah Lodge No. 116 welcomes inquiries from men interested in learning more about Freemasonry.

What are the degrees of Freemasonry?

The experience of becoming a Freemason is divided into three ceremonial stages known as degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. Together, these are often called the symbolic lodge, or blue lodge.

The degrees are loosely based on the journeyman system once used to educate medieval craftsmen. Symbolically, they represent stages of human development and teach moral and ethical lessons through ceremony and symbolism.

How do I become a Master Mason?

To become a Master Mason, a man must complete the three degrees of the symbolic lodge. After receiving the third degree, he becomes a full member of the Masonic fraternity, with the rights and responsibilities of membership.

Is Freemasonry a religion?

No. Freemasonry is not a religion and is not a substitute for religion. It does require its members to profess a belief in a Supreme Being, but it does not define a man’s faith or interfere with his personal religious beliefs.

Men of many faiths are represented in Freemasonry. Religion is not discussed at lodge meetings.

Why does Freemasonry use symbols?

Freemasonry is rich with symbolism. While much has been made of the mysteries of the Craft, many of its best-known symbols are straightforward in meaning.

Masonic symbols often draw from geometry and the tools of stonemasonry. The square and compasses are the most widely recognized symbol of Freemasonry and often indicate that Masons meet in a particular building.

Freemasonry is often described as a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. Symbols help communicate ideas and lessons in a memorable way.

In modern Freemasonry, the square represents honor, integrity, truthfulness, and the way a Mason should relate to others. The compasses represent self-control and the importance of leading a spiritual life. The letter G is commonly understood to represent God, who should remain at the center of a Mason’s thoughts and actions.

Is Freemasonry charitable?

Yes. The values of Freemasonry are based on integrity, kindness, honesty, and fairness. Freemasons are taught to practice charity and to care not only for one another, but also for the community as a whole through charitable giving and volunteer efforts.

From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been concerned with the care of orphans, the sick, and the aged. This charitable spirit continues today through national, state, and local Masonic efforts.

Freemasonry brings together men of honor and integrity who share a devotion to helping others and becoming the best versions of themselves.

Where did Freemasonry come from?

The exact origins of Freemasonry are not known with certainty. The fraternity is generally believed to have developed from the guilds of working stonemasons and cathedral builders in England and Scotland during the Middle Ages.

The formation of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717 marked the beginning of the modern, or speculative, era of Freemasonry. From that point, membership was no longer limited to operative stonemasons, and the fraternity developed into an organization focused on moral improvement, fellowship, education, and charitable service.

How much does it cost to become a Freemason?

The cost of becoming a Freemason varies by lodge. Membership generally includes a one-time initiation fee and annual dues, which help cover the operating expenses of the lodge. Contact the lodge directly for current information.