Hello, I have been interested in joining a lodge for a few years now. I was wondering how I can go about joining a lodge if I already applied at a lodge got accepted and never went through with the complete process due to personal life issues I was dealing with at the time. I was also younger then I am now and wasn’t sure what I really wanted. Now I am sure I would like to become a member of FreeMasonry. Would there be any drawbacks in my approval since I did not go through with the process 3 years ago?
In fact, we had a lot of people stopping by the Open Houses and emailing directly asking the same question. Though Masonry doesn’t impose any real demands on your time, you should be comfortable before committing to any organization.
To answer your question: generally, there shouldn’t be a problem, but depending on the Lodge you were interested in joining, you may find may take a little longer. With all the interest over the past couple of years, many lodges now have a bit of a waiting list. My bet, though, is if you were accepted before, the Lodge should be more than ready to bring you in again.
If you are looking to join a different Lodge, you’ll need to start the process over with that Lodge. It should be easier this time though, as you’ll know the general process.
Thank you for the information. I will be applying to a different lodge, for the simple reason that I have moved out of the area in which I was living before, it would be a real pain in going to and from meetings. thanks again for the info. have a great weekend.
Hello I’m from Croatia.don’t know if you have ever heard for the country but we have a Grand Lodge there.
I have managed to make contact with them but I’m not sure how much is their annual fee or something like that?
And in bottom line do I risk anything concerning my lifestyle by joining the freemasons?
I think most of us know of Croatia. I was in fact hoping to do some sailing there someday.
But as to your question, unless your lifestyle is one of spreading mayhem and evil—in which case you would not be allowed in anyway—I can’t see how becoming a Freemason could do anything but make your life better.
Though we ask in our “ads” if you have greatness in you, Freemasonry only asks that you are a good person and believe in a supreme being. Freemasonry’s goal is to make good men better.
So the only “risk” I see is that you would become a better person than you are now—not sure how that would affect your lifestyle, but millions of men can attest that it certainly changed their life.
BTW, I don’t know the fees in Croatia, but you should know that most Masonic Lodges and Grand Lodges have very, very low fees for joining and/or maintaining membership. Again, I cannot speak for other states or countries, but I think my total YEARLY fees for our Lodge—including our Grand Lodge dues—are less than I would spend in a DAY on a few beers with friends after work.
As the world’s largest philanthropy, individual Freemasons (just in North American) give more than three million dollars a day to charity, and donate countless hours to charitable causes. But these are things we want to do if and when we can—they are not required.
Once you have become a Freemason, you will always be a Freemason. But like most organizations you need to keep up your “dues” to stay active.
Remember, as a Freemason you can “travel” just about anywhere in the world and be received as a brother at other Lodges. But you’ll need to have an active dues card in hand for that to happen. And brothers that lapse in their dues and are subsequently dropped from the active roles may have to be voted on again for any reinstatement.
My guess is you’ll prefer to stay on and get involved. I pay 20 times more for a yacht club membership I use only occasionally during the summer than for the Masonic relationships I cherish every day of the year.
Masons often identify themselves amongst each other as “traveling men.” What Bob meant is that if you literally travel somewhere - next town, state, country, or continent - you can visit a lodge and be welcomed as guest. A dues card is just a card - like a library card - that serves as evidence that you have paid your current year’s dues to your lodge and Grand Lodge and are a member in good standing.
-Robert
Every mason is required to pay annual dues to his lodge. He is then issued a dues card, which serves as a receipt, as well as identifies the man, as a member of the lodge, as well as the Grand Lodge in his state of residence. I belong to lodges in New York and Kentucky, so I carry two dues cards.
Once you are a mason anywhere, you have visitation privileges at all lodges worldwide. I have visited lodges in 11 states, Washington DC, and three foreign countries (France, Saudi Arabia, and Russia). Last night, I visited a lodge in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Masonry stresses free will, and free association. You will never be asked to join this fraternity. The decision must be made by yourself, alone, without outside influence. Furthermore, if after becoming a mason, you decide that Masonry is not for you, then you are free to leave the organization, for any reason, or for no reason.
so now you said I can leave freemasonry if I want with my own free will and earlier you said that i cannot quit masonry and that if I become a mason I will be a mason forever?
I apologize, if you are confused. The fact is, once you join the Freemasons, you are part of our society of friends, and brothers, worldwide. But- In order to remain active, and participate, and attend meetings, you must pay an annual dues assessment to your individual lodge. This is only fair.
Each year, you will receive a dues notice in the mail, and you must send in the remittance. You will receive back, in the mail, a dues card, which serves as your receipt, and “admission ticket”, to all masonic meetings worldwide. For example, My home lodge is in Kentucky. I am in Fort Wayne Indiana on business. Last night, I attended a local lodge. The secretary examined my dues card, and then I was admitted to the meeting.
Once you are a mason, and you decide that you wish not to participate, then you can ask your lodge for a “demit”, which is a statement that you do not wish to pay dues and participate in masonry. Once you have this demit document, you can get back into masonry, by simply paying your dues assessment for the current year. You do not have to go through the initiation ceremonies again. This is what is meant by you are a Mason “forever”.
I’m interested in one thing.what if I wear black clothes all the time, listen to metal music, go to concerts when I can afford myself some free time (because of the son and wife), will maybe masons judge me by that and can this be determining factor in their decision of acceptance?
Now I have find out that there is a lodge in my city but I don’t know how to contact them.
To help you get to the point of your needs: go to http://www.askafreemason.org
This is the Offical Site of the Massachussetts Grand Lodge to help individuals like yourself.
The best way to get information is to talk to a Mason - either in person or online designated to assist you. The “Find a Lodge Near You” feature has the name and contact information of a Brother for every lodge in our state. He will answer your questions and provide you with additional information; and, if you would like, find a convenient time to meet, introduce you to some other members, and tour their building. You may have some of the same questions as many already asked - so take a look at the FAQ’s.
We have this service down to a science and are ready to personnally assist you.
Best wishes- Ron Doucette, Moderator
