We have an expression in Freemasonry: “To be one, ask one.” Frankly, it comes across as a bit aloof on our part, but the thing to realize is, we do not recruit.
Everyone has heard rumors about how a man becomes a Mason. You have to be born in the right family or someone who went to the right school says, “Yes, go get that one. We need him for the team.” or that we have some sort of hi-tech command center that sends out a signal when someone is ready. The truth is a lot simpler than that: we can’t tell when someone is ready to be a Mason. Only the individual man can tell for himself and then we hope he’ll come to us to try to find out more.
It’s an awkward process, but it’s what we do and we do it for a reason. We can’t invite someone to join. It’s not in us to do so. Sure, we can invite people to visit and have dinner with us, we can and do have the occasional “Open House”, open to anyone who is curious, but at the end of the day, we don’t do the inviting. You do. It’s up to you as the individual Man to literally invite yourself. Your desire to learn and grow and be better than you are is your written invitation, engraved in enormous gold letters on your heart.
OK, that’s a bit florid, but it is essentially true. You don’t have to be “special” or “connected” to be a Mason. You just have to be a good man with an honest desire to be better. That’s what we offer. The tools to be better than you are.
Naturally, there is a process after you’ve made that decision. There’s always a process in life, that’s inescapable, and becoming a Mason is no different.
The Process: Visiting a Lodge
It starts by visiting a Lodge. Several if you’re serious.
It’s worth noting that while we are all Brothers, each Lodge has its own distinct personality, so finding your “fit” is very important. Again, this is a process and it takes time. Each man has a limited number of hours on this Earth, so it is important to find a Lodge where your time will be well spent, learning, fellowshipping, and growing. The Masons you meet will become your lifelong companions, your adopted Brothers, your family, so you really need to be comfortable with them. Take the time.
When you do pick a Lodge to visit, whether it’s us or some of the other fine Lodges in the Houston area the thing to remember, walking through that door for the first time, is that you are going to feel weird. It’s going to be awkward for you and that is completely normal. You’re stepping out of your comfort zone and into the unknown. Sure, these words are friendly and inviting, but sitting in front of your PC and reading is a lot different than getting out of your house after work and walking into a room full of strangers. It’s OK. We know that.
The thing to remember is, every man you meet at a Lodge has been where you are. Every one of them had to pass through those doors for the very first time. It’s been this way for hundreds of years. If you think about some of the figures in history who were Masons, George Washington, Ben Franklin, Buzz Aldrin, Davy Crockett, Booker T. Washington, John Wayne, even Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – they all had to step through that door, into a room full of strangers, for the very first time. That puts you in pretty good company.
And you’ve taken the first step.
There’s more than just walking through the door, of course. Meet people. Introduce yourself. Ask questions. Ask as many as you want. All of life’s great journeys begin with questions. Really good questions to ask of every Brother you meet are:
- Why are you a Mason?
- What does Freemasonry mean to you?
- How has/does being a Mason affect your life?
- As a Mason, what do you do?
- How much time do you spend Masoning? (Yes, we made up that word, but Mason should be more than a noun.)
- What do you get out of Freemasonry?
- What do you bring to Masonry?
When you’ve spent a fair amount of time (usually six months or so) visiting as many Lodges as you intend to, you may decide this isn’t for you, after all. That’s OK. It happens. Should you change your mind, we’ll still be here. If, however, you’ve hung out for a bit and decide this is where you want to be, the next step is Petitioning.
The Process: Petitioning
Like all well regulated institutions, we have a form to fill out should you decide you want to become a member of the oldest Fraternal organization in the history of the planet. It’s called the “Petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry” and you can click the previous hyperlink to get a copy.
You’ll need to fill it out completely and as honestly as possible. You will also need to get two Master Masons of the Lodge you are petitioning to recommend you. It’s OK to ask, just make certain these Brothers know you. Some, after getting to know you, may have already offered to be your “First” or “Second Line Signer”. Awesome! You’re almost there.
You will also need three other Master Masons, who do not have to be members of the Lodge you are petitioning, to sign your petition as references. Once you’ve filled out the paperwork and had it signed off, you should be able to hand it off to any member of the Lodge who will deliver it to the Lodge Secretary. Your application will then be read to the Lodge at the next Stated Meeting (the monthly Lodge business meeting) and an Investigation Committee of three Master Masons will be assigned to you.
The Process: Investigation
Typically, each member of the investigation committee will meet with you to discuss your application, confirm your petition responses, and ask other questions about your desire to join the Craft. Often, these meetings are performed at your home so that the investigator can get an idea of how you live, meet your partner, kids, et cetera and determine if you are indeed a good fit for the Lodge and Freemasonry in general. They do have a standard set of questions to ask, but often have their own personal set of questions they like to know. It’s OK. The important thing is to be as honest and sincere as you can be. That matters more than anything.
Once all three investigators have met with you, they will make their report at the next Stated Meeting and recommend you or not. The next stage in the process is the ballot.
The Process: The Ballot
After the investigation report of all three Brothers has been read, the Master of the Lodge will usually choose to take a vote of all eligible members present on whether to accept you, the Candidate, for the Degrees in Freemasonry. The balloting is secret and no one knows how any Brother votes. If the vote is in in your favor, you will be notified, often about the next steps.
Get started!
Speaking of visiting Lodges and starting the process, should you decide you wish to visit Jacques DeMolay #1390, we are located at 2401 W Bellfort Blvd, Houston, TX 77054, just South of the Loop in the Houston Scottish Rite Event Center. We typically meet on the First, Second and Third Thursday of each month, with the Second Thursday as our monthly Stated Meeting. Dinner, which is free to all visitors, begins at 6:30 PM, but do feel free to show up early to fellowship with us. The meetings usually get started no later than 7:30 PM. It is, however recommended you take a look at our calendar to make certain we are meeting the night(s) you wish to visit.
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