About Freemasonry

About Freemasonry
"Not only the most ancient, but also the most honorable Order that ever existed".

The origins of Freemasonry are hidden in the mists of time. A great deal of its symbolism derives from the traditions of the old guilds of operative stonemasons, but within it can be found many elements of Hermetic as well as Judaeo-Christian philosophy. It is not a religion, though we do require that our members hold a belief in a supreme being. Beyond that, each member's personal religious belief is his own affair and the Order is open to men of all Faiths.
Whatever you may have heard, Freemasonry is not a secret society. Our so-called secrets are actually throwbacks to the days of the ancient operative masons, when one's livelihood depended on preserving trade secrets. Revealing those secrets to those who had not learned them through a proper apprenticeship would have undermined the status of the profession. It was equally important that craftsmen could identify themselves to each-other as such, for which purpose recognition signs and passwords were used. These days, we take obligations not to reveal the symbolic remnants of those secrets, the purpose of which is not to hide any esoteric knowledge but to train oneself to be discrete.
The purpose of Freemasonry is to develop our character through an understanding of oneself and a respect for others. It is founded on the principles of brotherly love, charity and truth. We develop these elements through our ceremonies within the Lodge, and through the practice of fellowship and good citizenship outside it. There is nothing in Freemasonry that is incompatible with our civil, moral or religious duties.
Each Freemason is encouraged to learn and show humility through initiation. Then, by progression through a series of degrees, he gains insight into increasingly complex moral and philosophical concepts, and accepts a variety of challenges and responsibilities that are both stimulating and rewarding. The structure and working of the lodge and the sequence of ceremonial events, which are usually followed by social gatherings, offer members a framework for companionship, teamwork, character development and enjoyment of shared experiences.

The Mark of a Master Craftsman

A man walking around the streets of his town passed by the building site of the cathedral in the course of construction. Three workmen were in the process of laying out their tools. For a long time intrigued by these builders, of whom he knew little, he watched them.
Then he approached, and dared to ask the question which had been occupying his mind.

- Tell me, what are you doing?
- Earning my living, replied the first
- And you?
- Cutting stone, replied the second.
- And you?
- I’m building a cathedral, replied the initiated artisan.

The man who had posed the questions realised that he had in front of him three very different men. The first took care of his survival but took no account of the symbols among which, all the same, he passed his day. The second was a good craftsman who did not consider the significance of the overall work, but who took part with all the talents of his professional expertise. The third was without doubt a future Master Builder, who focused his life on the ‘Why?’ and not on the ‘How?’ In sum, this third craftsman was visualising the features of the masterpiece. On the building site, at the heart of the materials, he already saw the cathedral rising up towards the sky.
Our man noticed the smile of the initiate. This man was blessed with an inner serenity. The questioner was overcome by the desire to become, himself, a Master Builder.