About Freemasonry

FREEMASONRY

 

OUR ORGANIZATION

ANCIENT ROOTS

No one knows exactly how Masonry started. Its traditions, however, can be traced directly to the guilds of stonemasons who built the stone cathedrals and castles of the Middle Ages.

With the decline of cathedral building in the 17th century, many guilds of “operative,” or practicing, stonemasons opened membership to those who didn’t practice the mason's craft. These members were called "accepted" masons. The groups were called lodges.

Modern Masonry was founded in England in 1717 when four lodges in London joined to form the first Grand Lodge of England. From Britain, Masonry spread over much of the world and today there are approximately four million Masons and some 150 Grand Lodges.

MODERN GROWTH

Grand Lodges are independent of each other—there is no central governing authority but each Grand Lodge must maintain acceptable traditions, standards and practices to be acknowledged by other lodges.

In Newfoundland & Labrador, the governing body is called the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Newfoundland & Labrador.  It is under the leadership of the Grand Master, who presides over some 2,000 Masons belonging to one or more of the 25 lodges in Newfoundland & Labrador.


OUR PURPOSE 

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 25 lodges across Newfoundland & Labrador.

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.


WHO ARE MASONS?

Masons are spiritual and moral men who choose to associate with group of like-minded individuals for mutual benefit.  What they find in freemasonry is a disciplined and systematic course of self-improvement based on the Golden Rule:  always do toothers what you would like them to do to you.

THERE ARE 3.2 MILLION MASONS ACROSS THE WORLD AND MORE THAN 2,000 IN NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME, REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOUR OR CREED.

Masons are spiritual and moral people, but there’s no room for discussion of sectoral religion or partisan politics in freemasonry.  Members are free to follow their own path, as long as it fits with the ethical principles of integrity and virtue symbolized by the square and compass—the icon most commonly associated with Masonry.

Masonry stresses the principles of kindness and consideration at home, honesty in business, courtesy towards others, dependability in one’s work, compassion for the less fortunate and being a good citizen of the world.  Masonry recognizes that each man has obligations to his family, his work, his religious beliefs, his community and himself - these must take priority and Masonry does not interfere with his ability to meet these obligations.

Masons participate in three progressive degrees, each one teaching an important lesson through the use of symbols. The degrees help a Mason think about the big questions:  Where did I come from?  What am I doing here?  And what comes next?

A LODGE IS NOT A BUILDING…IT’S THE MEN THAT FORM IT

The foundation of the Masonic family is the Masonic lodge. It is here that Masonry teaches its lessons: kindness in the home, honesty in business, courtesy in society, fairness in work, concern for the unfortunate and respect for one another.  Most lodges are clearly signed and located on main streets in communities small and large across the globe.

With 25 Lodges in Newfoundland & Labrador, there should be a lodge that meets in a location near you.

MASONRY IS NOT A SECRET SOCIETY…WE’RE HAPPY TO SHARE WHAT WE KNOW

Any information about Masons can be found at a well-stocked bookstore or local library. Masonic buildings are clearly marked and listed in the phonebook and members often identify themselves by wearing Masonic jewelry.

The so-called Masonic “Secrets” are confined to modes of recognition by which a visitor can prove himself to be a Mason and thereby become eligible to enter a lodge in which he was otherwise not known.

THE EXTENDED MASONIC FAMILY

A Mason can choose to broaden and deepen his experience of Masonry by participating in other branches of the Masonic family: the Scottish Rite, York Rite, Shriners and Knights Templar.

MASONRY IS FOR MEN…BUT IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR

Women, girls and boys who share Masonic values are welcome to participate in the many social and charitable events hosted by lodges.


WHY BECOME A MASON?

Masonry offers the opportunity to make each man better through its teachings, his Masonic associations and a philosophy that has served the social needs of men for centuries, by promoting:

Tradition

When you become a Mason, you become part of ancient tradition that spans centuries. From the original stonemasons that produced some of the most majestic architectural wonders of Europe to modern day Masons who participate in numerous charitable foundations, you’ll feel connected to a vital, growing and spiritually uplifting organization of moral men.

Self Improvement

Learning portions of the Ritual and participating in the Degree stimulates the mind and, coupled with committee work and lodge management, presents the opportunity to develop leadership and organizational skills, build self-discipline through commitment, poise and self-confidence, and strengthen presentation and public speaking proficiencies.

Sense of Accomplishment

Participating in lodge projects, be they charitable or social in nature, provides the opportunity to contribute, work with others and enjoy the success of effort well expended fellowship.

 Belonging to a Like-minded Group

The modern work-from-home environment has reduced or eliminated social association with co-workers; joining with lodge members in a fraternal atmosphere can substitute for that former workplace fellowship lost

A Break from the Workaday Routine

Masonry brings together in lodge men of diverse backgrounds, where the daily pressures of a career can be left outside the door and where fellowship is the common theme.  


These attributes are summarized in the tenets, or fundamental principles of Ancient Freemasonry: 

If these values address your needs, Masonry welcomes you.