How do you join the Masons?

How do you join the Masons ? Surprise ! You don’t get asked, you yourself ask.

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 website 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 21^st 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 scholarships and educational programs sponsored by Grand Lodges and local Blue Lodges, or community support programs.

All members of the Masonic fraternity are just as proud of the Concordant bodies charities like the Shriners Children’s Hospitals, the Royal Arch Heart Programs, and the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorder Centers. 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 each 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 MUCH DOES IT COST ?

The petition fee for Arcadia Lodge is $164.00 of which Arcadia Lodge collects $125.00, $25.00 goes to the California Masonic Homes, $9.00 goes to the California Masonic Memorial Temple, and $5.00 goes to the George Washington Masonic National

Memorial in Washington, D.C..

CAN YOU START THE DEGREES AS SOON AS YOU PETITION?

No. First the petition is presented to the Lodge for acceptance at a regular meeting; if accepted, it is then filed until the next regular meeting.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PETITION?

First, the petition must be filled out with the necessary information. Then it must be signed by two recommenders who are members of Arcadia Lodge or are Masons who know you. It must also be signed by two references who are people, not necessarily Masons, who can vouch for your character. The Master of the Lodge then assigns three members of Arcadia Lodge to meet with you and, if possible, your family. They will discuss Masonry, the Lodge, why you want to join, and answer some of the questions that you might have. It is nothing to be worried about however.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A VOTE IS TAKEN?

After the committee has met with you, they make a recommendation report to the Lodge and the petition is presented to the Lodge members for a second time. At this time, a vote is cast. It is a secret vote but it must be unanimous. If the vote is favorable, you are then scheduled for a degree conferral.

WHEN AND WHAT ARE THE DEGREES?

There are three degrees in Masonry, namely the Entered Apprentice, the Fellowcraft, and the Master Mason, each a little different from the previous one. How often you receive your degrees depends on you and the Lodge schedule. There is some memory work, but not excessive. It can take from four to five months to complete the three degrees.

WHAT IS THE AGE LIMIT?

In California, the age limit is eighteen.

HOW MUCH ARE THE YEARLY DUES?

The yearly dues in Arcadia Lodge are $50.00. The Lodge also has a Lifetime Membership Plan whereby you can pay the designated amount once and you will no longer have to pay yearly dues.

HOW SOON CAN YOU ATTEND THE STATED MEETING?

You can attend any time after you take your first degree. You can attend any Lodge meeting that is open and working on the Degree of Masonry that you hold. A Master Mason and a Fellowcraft Mason can always attend a meeting on the lower degree. Lodges in California run business, called Stated Meetings, on the Third Degree. You are an active member as soon as you become a Mason,. You just may not be able to hold offices and do a few things like that.

IF THERE ARE THREE DEGREES IN MASONRY, WHAT IS THE 33°?

There are organizations related to Masonry, usually called Concordant bodies, which, to join, require Masonic membership. The two most notable are the York Rite and the Scottish Rite. The 33º is an honorary degree in Scottish Rite. It is NOT a higher degree. There is no degree higher than the Third Degree or Master Mason and no higher honor can be given to 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 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 low, prince or president. It is the first thing that a Lodge gives to a new Brother. It is symbolically an emblem of innocence to always remind him of a purity of life and rectitude of conduct. 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 California has supreme authority in its jurisdiction. Of course, one Grand Lodge does talk to another but each Grand Lodge adopts its own official policies. There are two Grand Lodges in the political boundaries of California, The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of California and The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Masonic Grand Lodge of California and Jurisdiction. But, each makes its own rules and elects its own officers.

ARE THERE EVENTS THAT WOMEN CAN ATTEND?

Many Lodges hold a public installation of officers during the year and wives, family, and friends can attend this event. The ceremony contains explanations of many parts of Masonry as well as the officers’ duties. Of course, it doesn’t have any of the ceremonies of the regular degree work but it has the same flavor and type of symbolism. It is the one way the non-Mason can get an idea of the ritual of Masonry without being a Mason. Arcadia Lodge has a dinner prior to each Stated Meeting at which time members of the Lodge and their ladies, as well as friends, are cordially invited to attend. Some form of entertainment is provided at each dinner.

DOES MASONRY DISCIMINATE?

No. Every man is judged on his own qualities. Masonry only asks a man to have belief in a Supreme Being, it does not ask which one. You may find several different Sacred Books on many Lodge Altars. The one exception is that women may not join, but there are numerous Masonic related organizations for women, most very active, with important charities. Freemasons sponsor three youth groups; DeMolay for boys, and Rainbow and Job’s Daughters for girls.