Freemasonry is the world’s oldest and largest fraternity. Its origins can be traced back to medieval stonemasons, though it was the formation of The Grand Lodge of England in 1717 that marks the beginning of modern Freemasonry.
Today, our fraternity brings together men from every religion, race, age, income, education, and opinion, and we meet together as equals in Lodges across the country and across the world.
Freemasonry is not for everyone and while Freemasonry is not elitist, it is selective. To become a Mason you must be a man of good moral character, to be at least 18 years old and believe in a Supreme Being.
“Freemasonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.“
Teaching using storytelling, using the art of allegory and symbols, is not new and has been used throughout history. The system of morality includes principles which all of us were familiar with before our admission to Freemasonry, but which are presented in novel ways.
Through a series of degrees and ceremonies the values of Freemasonry are passed from Mason to Mason. These degrees provide a framework that informs every aspect of modern life and are based on the principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth.
There are many great resources online where you can learn more about the principles and the history of Freemasonry. These include The Grand Lodge of Texas and Be A Freemason.
The guiding principles of Freemasonry
Be a part of something bigger than yourself!
Brotherly love
Brothers support and challenge one another, share knowledge and wisdom, and provide light and hope in times of darkness. As a Masonic brother, you will always have a network of peers who care about you, no matter the hardships you may face.
Relief
Masonry encourages us to help fill the needs of those in our community. We practice charity and are taught to care - not only for our own - but also for the community as a whole, by charitable giving, by voluntary work, and as individuals.
Truth
Masonry teaches us to strive for truth, both in ourselves and in how we deal with others. As Freemasons our continuing pursuit of truth, knowledge, and understanding makes us better men and helps bring more meaning to our lives.