About Freemasonry
What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry has frequently been referred to as being “A beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols.” It uses the tools of the builder’s trade as emblems and symbols to teach Masons how to build character and moral stature (1).
In practical terms, Freemasonry expresses many of those teachings through three “degrees” or ceremonies, which every member of a lodge participates in during the process of joining. These degrees are: the First Degree or Entered Apprentice Degree, the Second Degree or Fellowcraft Degree, and the Third Degree or Master Mason Degree.
In each of these degrees, a new member or candidate is instructed about the teachings of Freemasonry through a series of rituals. Each degree has a ritual or ceremony associated with it, through which the lessons of Freemasonry are conveyed. It is within these rituals that many of the secrets of Freemasonry are found.
Do Freemasons perform operative stone masonry?
No. Freemasonry is a speculative science founded on an operative art (2). Historically, we are descended from the operative stonemason guilds of the middle ages. These Masons built the great cathedrals and buildings of the old world. In the 1600s, the Masonic lodges began to transition from “Operative Masonry” or building with stone, to “Speculative Masonry” or philosophical Masonry, which involves character and spiritual building.
How is Freemasonry Organized?
Freemasonry is represented in local communities by a Masonic Lodge. Lodges can be found in most towns and cities. These lodges are governed by officers, some of whom are elected annually, and others are appointed. Lodges are governed by the presiding officer - the Worshipful Master - with the assistance of a Senior Warden and a Junior Warden, each of whom are elected annually. Lodges also generally elect a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Worshipful Master typically appoints a Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, and Junior Steward, a Tyler, and sometimes other officers such as a Marshal or Director of Ceremonies (3).
Local lodges exist and are made official by the possession of a charter issued by a Grand Lodge. In the United States each state and the District of Columbia has its own Grand Lodge.
Mountain Lodge No. 99 exists under a charter issued by the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Maryland. Grand Lodges are governed by a Grand Master - in our case, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Maryland. The Grand Master is the highest ranking Masonic official in his jurisdiction. The Grand Master is elected from among the brothers of the Maryland Masonic Lodges.
The system of Freemasonry in the United States has no “National” Grand Lodge, and the Grand Master in each jurisdiction answers to no higher body than the Grand Lodge that elected him. The Grand Lodges within the U.S. recognize one another and maintain cooperative fraternal relations.
The Grand Lodge of Maryland website can be accessed by linking to www.mdmasons.org.
Can I Become a Freemason? What are the requirements for membership?
To become a Freemason, one must petition a local Masonic lodge for membership. This means completing an application or “Petition” for membership. A petition to join Mountain Lodge No. 99 can be obtained by contacting us.
The requirements for membership vary slightly by jurisdiction; however, to become a Freemason in Maryland, and in Mountain Lodge No. 99, one must:
* Be a man,
* Be 18 years old,
* Believe in a Supreme Being,
* Have resided in the State of Maryland for 12 months preceding submission of petition (can be waived as appropriate),
* Be of good moral character.
If you are interested in becoming a Freemason, and you meet these basic requirements, you may complete a petition to join our fraternity. The petition fee, which you must submit with your petition to join, is $160.00. This is a one-time only petition fee. Members of the lodge pay a smaller amount annually in dues and assessments.
I meet all these requirements, why haven’t I been asked to join?
Freemasonry has a tradition of not recruiting members or inviting anyone to membership. In other words, men are typically not invited to join Freemasonry, instead you must ask to join Freemasonry.
I am a member of ______________ church, religion, or faith, can I become a Freemason?
Freemasonry accepts men of all religions, faiths, etc., so long as the membership qualifications described above are met. We are not a religion, and we welcome eligible men of all faiths to join our fraternity.
Freemasonry believes in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man (4). We believe that there is a Supreme Being, and we believe in a resurrection to a future life (5). Beyond these beliefs in common, every Freemason is free to express his more particular beliefs about God and religion privately, through his church or religious organization, or other means outside of Masonry.
What happens after I complete and submit my petition?
After submitting your petition, it will be read at a regular lodge meeting, indicating to the membership that you have applied to join our lodge. After your petition is read, the Worshipful Master will appoint an investigating committee to meet with you and discuss your interest in joining.
This committee consists of three Master Masons who will contact and arrange to meet with you. The members of the committee will ask a series of questions concerning your interest in Freemasonry, in order to further affirm that you meet the qualifications for membership. These questions are not intrusive, and are only to establish your interest in the fraternity and to ensure your eligibility for membership.
When the committee has completed their investigation, they will report back to the lodge. The members of the lodge will then vote on your petition for membership.
If you are accepted as a member, you will be contacted and invited to come to a lodge meeting to be initiated as an Entered Apprentice.
How long does it take to advance through the degrees?
Typically the process of advancing through the degrees takes approximately six to nine months, though the time period can vary slightly. At the end of that time, you will be a Master Mason.
Does the ritual work contain “hazing” or other such activities?
No. Freemasonry is an organization that prides itself on maintaining a respectful and dignified atmosphere. All of our rituals are respectful, serious, and contain no inappropriate or unbecoming behaviors. Candidates and members are never embarrassed, but are rather welcomed and treated with respect.
There are so many books, films, television shows, etc. that I have a difficult time knowing what to believe factually about Freemasonry. Can you recommend a credible book from which I can learn more about Freemasonry in general?
Yes. One book that offers a factual and accessible introduction to the subject of Freemasonry is The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Freemasonry by S. Brent Morris. This book provides credible information about the basic organization and activities of Freemasonry.
There are many other equally credible books out there as well, and perhaps we can develop a list of recommended books as this website advances further.
I have questions that have not been answered here.
We intend for this “About Freemasonry” section to grow and develop over time. If you are interested in Freemasonry but have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will answer your questions and, hopefully, your questions will help us better develop this section.
1. Masonic Memorial Service, Grand Lodge of Maryland A.F.&A.M.
2. Landmark XXIV, Constitutions, etc. of the Grand Lodge of Maryland A.F.&A.M.
3. Some slight variances exist between jurisdictions and lodges regarding appointed and elected offices
4. Masonic Creed
5. Landmark XX, Constitutions, etc. of the Grand Lodge of Maryland A.F.&A.M.
This FAQ was prepared by Brother Nicholas Costello, Past Master, for Mountain Lodge No. 99 A.F. & A.M. It may be used elsewhere only with permission. Permission may be requested by e-mailing here. You will receive a prompt response.
Freemasonry has frequently been referred to as being “A beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols.” It uses the tools of the builder’s trade as emblems and symbols to teach Masons how to build character and moral stature (1).
In practical terms, Freemasonry expresses many of those teachings through three “degrees” or ceremonies, which every member of a lodge participates in during the process of joining. These degrees are: the First Degree or Entered Apprentice Degree, the Second Degree or Fellowcraft Degree, and the Third Degree or Master Mason Degree.
In each of these degrees, a new member or candidate is instructed about the teachings of Freemasonry through a series of rituals. Each degree has a ritual or ceremony associated with it, through which the lessons of Freemasonry are conveyed. It is within these rituals that many of the secrets of Freemasonry are found.
Do Freemasons perform operative stone masonry?
No. Freemasonry is a speculative science founded on an operative art (2). Historically, we are descended from the operative stonemason guilds of the middle ages. These Masons built the great cathedrals and buildings of the old world. In the 1600s, the Masonic lodges began to transition from “Operative Masonry” or building with stone, to “Speculative Masonry” or philosophical Masonry, which involves character and spiritual building.
How is Freemasonry Organized?
Freemasonry is represented in local communities by a Masonic Lodge. Lodges can be found in most towns and cities. These lodges are governed by officers, some of whom are elected annually, and others are appointed. Lodges are governed by the presiding officer - the Worshipful Master - with the assistance of a Senior Warden and a Junior Warden, each of whom are elected annually. Lodges also generally elect a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Worshipful Master typically appoints a Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, and Junior Steward, a Tyler, and sometimes other officers such as a Marshal or Director of Ceremonies (3).
Local lodges exist and are made official by the possession of a charter issued by a Grand Lodge. In the United States each state and the District of Columbia has its own Grand Lodge.
Mountain Lodge No. 99 exists under a charter issued by the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Maryland. Grand Lodges are governed by a Grand Master - in our case, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Maryland. The Grand Master is the highest ranking Masonic official in his jurisdiction. The Grand Master is elected from among the brothers of the Maryland Masonic Lodges.
The system of Freemasonry in the United States has no “National” Grand Lodge, and the Grand Master in each jurisdiction answers to no higher body than the Grand Lodge that elected him. The Grand Lodges within the U.S. recognize one another and maintain cooperative fraternal relations.
The Grand Lodge of Maryland website can be accessed by linking to www.mdmasons.org.
Can I Become a Freemason? What are the requirements for membership?
To become a Freemason, one must petition a local Masonic lodge for membership. This means completing an application or “Petition” for membership. A petition to join Mountain Lodge No. 99 can be obtained by contacting us.
The requirements for membership vary slightly by jurisdiction; however, to become a Freemason in Maryland, and in Mountain Lodge No. 99, one must:
* Be a man,
* Be 18 years old,
* Believe in a Supreme Being,
* Have resided in the State of Maryland for 12 months preceding submission of petition (can be waived as appropriate),
* Be of good moral character.
If you are interested in becoming a Freemason, and you meet these basic requirements, you may complete a petition to join our fraternity. The petition fee, which you must submit with your petition to join, is $160.00. This is a one-time only petition fee. Members of the lodge pay a smaller amount annually in dues and assessments.
I meet all these requirements, why haven’t I been asked to join?
Freemasonry has a tradition of not recruiting members or inviting anyone to membership. In other words, men are typically not invited to join Freemasonry, instead you must ask to join Freemasonry.
I am a member of ______________ church, religion, or faith, can I become a Freemason?
Freemasonry accepts men of all religions, faiths, etc., so long as the membership qualifications described above are met. We are not a religion, and we welcome eligible men of all faiths to join our fraternity.
Freemasonry believes in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man (4). We believe that there is a Supreme Being, and we believe in a resurrection to a future life (5). Beyond these beliefs in common, every Freemason is free to express his more particular beliefs about God and religion privately, through his church or religious organization, or other means outside of Masonry.
What happens after I complete and submit my petition?
After submitting your petition, it will be read at a regular lodge meeting, indicating to the membership that you have applied to join our lodge. After your petition is read, the Worshipful Master will appoint an investigating committee to meet with you and discuss your interest in joining.
This committee consists of three Master Masons who will contact and arrange to meet with you. The members of the committee will ask a series of questions concerning your interest in Freemasonry, in order to further affirm that you meet the qualifications for membership. These questions are not intrusive, and are only to establish your interest in the fraternity and to ensure your eligibility for membership.
When the committee has completed their investigation, they will report back to the lodge. The members of the lodge will then vote on your petition for membership.
If you are accepted as a member, you will be contacted and invited to come to a lodge meeting to be initiated as an Entered Apprentice.
How long does it take to advance through the degrees?
Typically the process of advancing through the degrees takes approximately six to nine months, though the time period can vary slightly. At the end of that time, you will be a Master Mason.
Does the ritual work contain “hazing” or other such activities?
No. Freemasonry is an organization that prides itself on maintaining a respectful and dignified atmosphere. All of our rituals are respectful, serious, and contain no inappropriate or unbecoming behaviors. Candidates and members are never embarrassed, but are rather welcomed and treated with respect.
There are so many books, films, television shows, etc. that I have a difficult time knowing what to believe factually about Freemasonry. Can you recommend a credible book from which I can learn more about Freemasonry in general?
Yes. One book that offers a factual and accessible introduction to the subject of Freemasonry is The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Freemasonry by S. Brent Morris. This book provides credible information about the basic organization and activities of Freemasonry.
There are many other equally credible books out there as well, and perhaps we can develop a list of recommended books as this website advances further.
I have questions that have not been answered here.
We intend for this “About Freemasonry” section to grow and develop over time. If you are interested in Freemasonry but have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will answer your questions and, hopefully, your questions will help us better develop this section.
1. Masonic Memorial Service, Grand Lodge of Maryland A.F.&A.M.
2. Landmark XXIV, Constitutions, etc. of the Grand Lodge of Maryland A.F.&A.M.
3. Some slight variances exist between jurisdictions and lodges regarding appointed and elected offices
4. Masonic Creed
5. Landmark XX, Constitutions, etc. of the Grand Lodge of Maryland A.F.&A.M.
This FAQ was prepared by Brother Nicholas Costello, Past Master, for Mountain Lodge No. 99 A.F. & A.M. It may be used elsewhere only with permission. Permission may be requested by e-mailing here. You will receive a prompt response.
