Becoming a Freemason
If you have read the What Is Freemasonry? page, you will already know that it is one of the oldest secular fraternities in the world, founded on the three principles of Brotherly Love, Relief & Truth. If you require more information there are some useful links on the Home Page to assist you & there is a short video at the bottom of this page.
You may benefit from speaking to a colleague or family member to whom you know are already members to explain about the organisation. You should discuss your intentions with your wife or living partner to ensure their support.
If you do not know anyone connected to Freemasonry you can talk to a representative from Plucknett Lodge No: 1708, who will be happy to assist. Just complete the form on the Contact Us page.
Why Become a Freemason?
'Someone I love dearly asked me recently why am I a Freemason, what is the point? Well, I can tell you this – It is not the ‘Old Boys Club’ that everyone immediately associates with it. Yes, we have secrets, undoubtedly, but that is not a sinister thing. We are not a ‘Secret Society’ we are a society with secrets just like many other organisations, but in our case it’s a great part of the intrigue & mystery that makes the membership so appealing.
We meet a few times a year on a formal basis . We have a formal dress code of a dark suit, black or 'Craft' tie & black shoes & our meetings are followed by a meal. It’s a lovely setting with like-minded people who have similar things in common. But what are those things?
Well, we all strive to be better people, to be the best we can be within our communities.
We are taught to be just & honourable men, to treat people “On the Square.” To render every kindness that may be required to others & to act to others as we would have them act towards us.
We are taught to be charitable, thoughtful, noble in word & deed, merciful & generous with our time & resources.
We are taught all of those things & more through a series of allegorical “plays”, in which the Masonic messages are communicated. You may ask, ‘why do it that way? Why not just read the lessons? Why bother with the ritual & the mystery?' Well - let’s consider those questions:
If I read to you all of the things mentioned above about our message, you would listen, nod & say, “sure, they are all worthy things to do.” But instead, if I show you the message in a real-life example, a show, a play or ritual, where you have to look at what is happening & seek for the underlying meaning, to really think about what message is trying to convey through its imagery, don’t you think that has a better chance of becoming a way of life? Tell me something & I’ll listen, show it to me, make me THINK about it, make me work out the meaning & look for a deeper truth, & it will become part of my thinking.
That is the main reason we have our meetings & keep our messages restricted to members. These playlets enable its members to truly examine what they see & participate in, in turn examining themselves, & becoming better people because of that examination. It promotes tradition & it is 'fun.'
The irony is that some of the communications that people ridicule & are afraid of, like a “Masonic handshake” came about because Freemasons were persecuted, attacked & killed historically, driving the organisation into being more reclusive. Society caused the very thing that it now complains about. (See What is Freemasonry?)
Freemasonry is second only to the National Lottery in terms of charitable donations in the UK. We provide massive amounts of relief to people’s suffering & assistance where it is most needed; from air ambulances & blood bikes to fire engines. Care homes, youth hostels, shelters & food banks. From helping people get life-altering treatment that isn’t available on the NHS to helping a young ballet dancer be able to go to study at the feet of masters in Moscow because there was no other way of being able to afford to pursue her dream.
Freemasonry is stunning. It has given me some amazing friends, the knowledge that wherever I go in the country (or indeed the World), there will be a place where I will be welcomed as someone with whom there is a bond, an understanding & a camaraderie. I cannot begin to explain how much it has changed my life, my outlook & my desire to continually strive to chip away at my rough edges & to further smooth & prepare the stone block of my life. To render it fit for the hands of a more expert workman to shape into a fit member of society.
We do not need more people in Freemasonry, we need more Freemasonry in people. We need more messages of compassion, of honour, of truth & of charity. More time to love thy neighbour & to be more tolerant of those who live among & alongside us.
Those are the messages of Freemasonry & those are the messages that should be inculcated in every fibre of our daily lives. Those are the reasons that I try so hard to improve myself & be a better person. Sometimes I fail. I go back to the unpleasant & obnoxious individual I recognise existed in me just a few short years ago. But, I can at least recognise when that happens & I try very hard to fix it.
Freemasonry taught me that.
I’m a Freemason & I couldn’t be more proud.'
This was adapted from a post by Bro. Rob Roberts of The Lodge of Charity No: 2651, Warrington & Euphrates Lodge No: 212, London.
We owe him our thanks for allowing us to use this.
There are some essential criteria for joining Freemasonry:
Membership is open to men aged 21 years or over
There is a requirement to have a belief in a ‘Supreme Being’ for example,
a belief in God. Any denomination is welcome.
All Freemasons must be of good character & law abiding.
You are prohibited as a Freemason to make business or personal
gain from your masonic connections.
There is an expectation that Freemasons make regular donations to
charitable organisations; however, you would never be asked to
donate more than you can comfortably afford
Your first priority is the well-being of your family at all times
Plucknett Lodge welcomes new candidates into Freemasonry. If you feel this is a path you wish to pursue & you meet the criteria then our representatives will gladly assist you in joining this historic, traditional & rewarding organisation.
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