How do I Become a Mason?

Members of any religion may become Freemasons.

The book "Constitutions of the Ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons" lists the ancient requirements that still apply to Masons today. The society accepts only males, usually age 21 or older, who believe in a god or a supreme being. Most lodges (local societies) accept men of all religions. If you fulfill these requirements and want to belong to a group that mixes charity with social gatherings of like-minded men, membership to the Freemasons may suit you.

Instructions

1. Ask a Freemason you already know to introduce you to your local lodge. According to Masonic journalist Christopher Hodapp, author of "Freemasons for Dummies," the society has the saying "2B1, ASK1."

2. Contact your local Grand Lodge if you don't know a Freemason personally. They will refer you to a nearby lodge to find out more about the society. See Resources for a link to information about Grand Lodges worldwide.

3. By phone or through your Masonic friend, arrange a meeting with members of your local lodge. They will tell you more about Freemasonry and the membership process.

4. Ask the lodge for an application form, which Masons call a petition. Answer all questions honestly before submitting.

5. Cooperate with the investigation process. Usually the lodge invites you to an interview so they can find out more about you and the answers you provided in the petition. You usually need two members of the lodge to provide references, vouching for your character.

6. Wait to hear back from the lodge. They vote by secret ballot to determine whether the lodge will accept you as a member.

7. Work with the lodge to schedule your degree ceremonies, if they tell you your petition was successful. Frequency and times of ceremonies vary from lodge to lodge. Degrees are simply steps further into Freemasonry.

8. Complete the first three degree ceremonies to become a full member of the Freemasons. Some lodges will let you complete these in one day, where others have a waiting period between ceremonies.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider time and money when deciding whether to become a Freemason. Most lodges charge dues, and membership requires a regular time commitment.

• Although women and young people can't join the Freemasons, they can join other Freemason-related societies.

• Do not take the many myths and misconceptions about Freemasonry too seriously. Rely on the word of your local lodge and trusted friends in the society.

References

• A Page about Freemasonry: How to Join
• "Freemasons for Dummies"; Christopher Hodapp; 2005
• "Constitution of the Ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons"; 1841

Resources

• Grand Lodges in the USA and Elsewhere