02/01/2023
Here are few important things you should know and consider before petitioning to join the Masonic Fraternity.
Freemasonry has in all ages insisted that men shall come to its doors entirely of their own free will, not from feelings
of curiosity, but from a favorable opinion of the Institution and a desire to be numbered among its members.
Freemasonry is a fraternity that teaches ethics and morality. Although it is not in any sense a religion or a substitute
for religion, we do require that men who join believe in a Supreme Being and the brotherhood of man. No atheist can
become a Mason. Although we require that a member believe in a Supreme Being, we never try to tell a man how he
should conceive of God, as he understands Him, what faith he should practice or what worship he should follow.
Those are questions of individual conscience, and the member must find those answers within his own faith.
Freemasonry has for its foundation the great principles of the Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man.
Freemasonry distinguishes between patriotism and partisanship. While patriotism is encouraged as an essential virtue.
both within and without the Lodge, no partisan or political discussion is allowed within the Lodge.
The essential purpose of Freemasonry is the further development of the individual Mason as an honest, ethical, moral,
sincere, caring and charitable man, learning more about his own potential as a human being and developing his
intellectual and spiritual character. A man should never enter the Fraternity in the hope of making business
connections or for any other sort of professional or monetary gain. If he does, he will be disappointed, for they will
not be found there. What he will find is a group of like-minded men, who are willing to treat him as a Brother and to
share in a deep and rewarding fellowship with him. He will find true friends and life-long companions.
We expect men who petition for the Degrees (Membership) to be good men, but not to be perfect. We know that all
men have limitations and weaknesses. Our questions are: Does he care about others? Does he feel a responsibility to
improve his character and to make the lives of others better as best he can? Is he willing to be open and honest with us
and with himself? Your character is the most important factor in consideration of membership.
While members are encouraged to support charitable works to the best of their ability, membership does not guarantee
assistance to any Mason. If you are accepted for membership, you will be expected to meet the financial obligation to
your Lodge which are set forth in its By-Laws. These include fees for the degrees, annual dues to your Lodge, and any
assessments. When called upon, you should be willing and able to give a portion of your time and financial resources
to support various Masonic charities. You will be expected to attend Lodge meetings and participate in Lodge
activities. We trust you are aware of these responsibilities and that they are not an undue burden to you and your
family.
We are glad that you are interested in the Masonic Fraternity, and we're willing to share it with you. Inside this
petition you will find several questions. They are not asked out of idle curiosity. When we accept a man as a Brother.
we make a sincere promise to him that we will trust him completely and will treat his needs and his interests just as if
they were our own. This petition, and the visit some Lodge Brothers will make with you, will begin a process of
sharing information that is vital if both you and we are to be comfortable in the relationship.
THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A FREEMASON
You have already taken the first step in becoming a Mason by asking for a Petition for the Degrees. Filling out this
petition and giving it to a Mason to be taken to the Lodge is the second step.
When the Lodge receives the Petition, the Master (the presiding officer) will appoint a committee to visit with you and
your family. They will report to the Lodge and the Lodge will vote on the Petition. If the vote is affirmative, the
Lodge will contact you to set a date for the first ceremony- your Entered Apprentice Degree. You will be assigned a
mentor, a Brother who can help you understand the degree. When that is completed, there will be two further
ceremonies the Fellowcraft Degree and the Master Mason Degree. All our ceremonies are serious and beautiful.
When completed, you will be considered a full member of the Fraternity.
