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Freemasons do not directly ask men to join. Long tradition has established that an interested man asks a
Mason to become a Mason. This practice continues to this day, but with much less rigidity and secrecy
than when our Grandfathers were Masons.
Fifty years ago pamphlets about Masonry and the idea of a public websites like this would have been
virtually unthinkable and explanations like this were rare and generally very frowned upon.
But today we firmly believe Masonry is not a secret organization but an organization with a few secrets. It is
rather hard to be a secret organization when you can read about the lodge as you are now doing, find out
where and when the lodge meets, etc., but one of the little known secrets is that you ask a Mason to get a
petition.
In the 21st Century Masons can and do discuss their Masonic activities with other men, indirectly urge
them to become members but of course they still keep secret a few things pertaining to the degree work
itself. It is an open Masonic secret that a good Mason is active in his community, his church, his labor
union, his business organizations; he supports the government and actively contributes to many other
organizations.
Masons take pride in acknowledging our extensive Masonic charities whether it is the thousands of
scholarship and educational programs sponsored by Grand Lodges and local Blue Lodges, community
support programs
All members of the Masonic fraternity are just as proud of the of concordant bodies charities like Shrine
Children’s Hospitals and Burn Clinics, Royal Arch Heart programs, Scottish Rite Speech and Hearing
Clinics. When you add to these, the charities and programs sponsored by Masonic related women’s
organizations, it is conservatively estimated that Masonic Charity in the United States is in excess of three
million dollars a day.
Any man seeking to join Masonry will become a part of this charity network helping people everywhere,
fulfilling the Masonic lesson of Faith, Hope and Charity.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
HOW DO I JOIN?
The first step is contact the Lodge. One or more Masons will contact you and set up an initial interview
process during which time you can find out more about Masonry and whether it is right for you. If the
interview is favorable you will be given a petition. Once you fill out the petition it will be taken to the Lodge,
voted on, and you're on your way to becoming a Mason!
CAN I START THE DEGREES AS SOON AS I PETITION?
No. First the petition is presented to the Lodge at a regular meeting; it is then filed until the next meeting.
So it takes about thirty days, sometimes more.
WHEN I GET A PETITION, WHAT HAPPENS?
First the petition needs sponsors. If you know three Masons who will recommend you, they can sign the
petition, if you don't, the members of the lodge who initially meet with you and give you the petition will
sponsor you to the lodge. After the Lodge receives the petition at a meeting, a group of three or more
members will meet with you and if possible your family. They will further discuss the lodge, why you want to
join and answer some of the questions you might have. They will also point out some of the things the
Lodge expects from you as a member. However this is nothing to be worried about.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A VOTE IS TAKEN?
After the committee has met with you they make a recommendation to the Lodge and your petition is read
a second time. At this time a vote is cast. It is a secret vote but must be unanimous. If the vote is favorable
you are then scheduled for a degree conferral.
WHAT AND WHEN ARE THE DEGREES?
There are three degrees in Masonry, each a little different from the previous one. How soon you take you
degrees depends on you and the Lodge schedule. The degrees can be completed in one day or many
months. Usually it will take four or five months because Daylight does not encourage a one-day degree
ceremony. The three degrees are called The Entered Apprentice, The Fellowcraft and The Master Mason.
HOW SOON CAN I ATTEND THE MEETINGS?
You can attend any time after you take your first degree. You can attend any Lodge meeting that is
opened and working on the degree of Masonry you hold. many New York Lodges run their business,
called stated meetings, on the degree of the youngest brother present. You are an active member as
soon as you become a Mason, you just may not be able to hold office and a few things like that until you
are a Master Mason.
WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS?
In New York State you must be 21 years old, other Grand Lodges have different ages. Have a belief in a
supreme being and be a man of good character and good standing in your community.
IF THERE ARE THREE DEGREES IN MASONRY, WHAT IS THE 33 ?
There are organizations related to Freemasonry, usually called concordant bodies, which to join require
Masonic membership. Membership in these bodies is not required and Daylight does not necessarily
encourage joining them until you have been a Mason for some time. Most notable are York Rite and
Scottish Rite. The 33 is an honorary degree in Scottish Rite. It is NOT a higher degree. There is no higher
degree that the Third or Master Mason Degree and no higher honor can be given any Mason than the
White Lambskin Apron that all Masons wear with pride.
WHAT IS A MASONIC APRON?
The Lambskin or leather apron is the ancient badge of a Mason. One has been presented to every man
who has become a Freemason from "time immemorial," whether he be rich or poor, from the high or the
low, prince or president. It is the first thing a lodge gives a new brother. It is symbolically an emblem of
innocence to always remind him of a purity of life and rectitude of conductor. It is the true badge of a
Mason, cherished by all who have ever worn one.
WHO IS THE SUPREME HEAD OF MASONS?
The answer to the question is "NO ONE." Each Grand Lodge like the Grand Lodge of New York has
supreme authority in its jurisdiction. Of course one Grand Lodge talks to another but each adopts its own
official policies. There is one Grand Lodge within political boundaries of New York, The Most Worshipful
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New York .
DOES MASONRY DISCRIMINATE?
No, every man is judged on his own qualities as a man. Masonry asks only that a man have a belief and
place his ultimate trust in a Supreme Being or Higher Power, it does not ask which one. You may well find
several different Sacred Books on many lodge Altars.
WHAT EVENTS CAN WOMEN ATTEND?
Many Lodges hold a public installation of officers during the year. Wives, family and friends can attend this
event. While it doesn't have any of the ceremonies of the regular degree work, it does have the same
flavor and explains some of the symbolism use in masonry. This is one way the non-Mason can get an
idea of the ritual of Masonry. Lodges may have special social events with wives and friends invited.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Our Fee Structure is extremely reasonable and made to fit any budget please contact us for current
information on cost.
