Hi, this is my first post and I just have a couple of questions to ask.
First of all, I fully intend to become a mason as I’ve just recently finished high school and now reach the age requirement. My Grandfather was a mason and many others in my family as well. My Grandfather has recently passed, and he has a masonic funeral coming this August near his birthday. I have asked my Cousin if he would initiate me and he said “of course.”
that was less than a year ago but I never checked up on it as I didn’t know if I was supposed to keep asking or if it would be really annoying. I have reminded him recently and he says that you don’t do initiations in the summer.
I would really like to be a mason for my Grandfathers masonic funeral. Is this possible?
Secondly, I know you guys don’t have any restrictions on race, religion etc. But I was wondering if their were\are any racist Freemasons?
Hi, this is my first post and I just have a couple of questions to ask.
First of all, I fully intend to become a mason as I’ve just recently finished high school and now reach the age requirement. My Grandfather was a mason and many others in my family as well. My Grandfather has recently passed, and he has a masonic funeral coming this August near his birthday. I have asked my Cousin if he would initiate me and he said “of course.”
that was less than a year ago but I never checked up on it as I didn’t know if I was supposed to keep asking or if it would be really annoying. I have reminded him recently and he says that you don’t do initiations in the summer.
I would really like to be a mason for my Grandfathers masonic funeral. Is this possible?
Secondly, I know you guys don’t have any restrictions on race, religion etc. But I was wondering if their were\are any racist Freemasons?
EDIT: I live in Vancouver, British Columbia
Hello Joseph,
First let me offer my condolences on the loss of your Grandfather.
Let me tell you that the day before I was raised to the degree of
Master Mason, we buried my Father who was a 40 year Master Mason.
Even though I was a Fellowcraft Mason at the time of his Masonic
Funeral Service, I sat with my family and not with my Masonic
Brothers who supported my family during this ceremony. Even though
I understand your drive to become a Mason; there are two things that
you need to understand. (1) The process to become an Entered Apprentice
Mason usually takes about 2 to 3 months and if your local lodge is
closed for the summer, then there is no chance to become a Mason
before the Masonic Ceremony. (2) Mason or non-mason, support your
family during these grieving times. Thinking back, even though this
is actually a Masonic meeting, the only way that I would stand among
my Brothers is if I were actually preforming the Service. Remember, family
comes first. The ceremony is very moving and it is an honor to receive it
as a deceased Master Mason; be with your family and comfort them during
this time of grieving, then join the Fraternity when it is the right
time for you. Masonry goes back in my family for almost 200 years and
I waited until I was 41 to join. Your Grandfather is with you spiritually,
he knows your intentions.
I didn’t know him as well as I should have. he passed this Christmas at 99 years of age. I am currently 19. So I’m sure you can understand that we didnt have many similarities… It blows my mind to think about the technology advancements he had seen…
Something has been really bothering me and maybe you can put my mind at ease…
When my Uncle (who is a mason as well) told my Grandfather I was going to be a mason, my Grandfather glared at me… for a very long time. He didn’t say a word to me that entire visit after that, even when I wished him a happy birthday. a lump grows in my throat every time I think about it.
Do you think he didn’t want me to be a mason? all I want to do is make my family proud and carry on tradition…
I didn’t know him as well as I should have. he passed this Christmas at 99 years of age. I am currently 19. So I’m sure you can understand that we didnt have many similarities… It blows my mind to think about the technology advancements he had seen…
Something has been really bothering me and maybe you can put my mind at ease…
When my Uncle (who is a mason as well) told my Grandfather I was going to be a mason, my Grandfather glared at me… for a very long time. He didn’t say a word to me that entire visit after that, even when I wished him a happy birthday. a lump grows in my throat every time I think about it.
Do you think he didn’t want me to be a mason? all I want to do is make my family proud and carry on tradition…
Japes, It would be very difficult to answer that question since I don’t know you or your Grandfather. Unless you lived a life that went against the principals your Grandfather believed in, I would be very surprised if he wouldn’t be delighted to see you become a Mason. Most of us hope and pray that the good men in our families find their way to the lodge and are proud to call their children and grandchildren “Brother”.
Another one. A mason must care about their appearance correct?
is this public image? or hygiene and clothes?
I have a lip-ring, which may reflect negatively on character but it is mostly because the girls love it…
(I may have a lip-ring but I don’t act like a guy with a lip-ring.)
Thanks for all your thoughtful questions. I am certain your grandfather is very proud that you are considering joining Freemasonry. But I agree with Brother Jay here. This time is about family. Honor your family first. Then, if you decide it is right for you, honor your Grandfather by then becoming a Mason and living the life of a Mason. The honor of Masonry is in how we live, not in simply getting degrees.
As for your appearence, Masonry looks at no man for his outward appearance, but is only interested in the person inside. That being said, we live in a flawed society—and some of our members who may be less enlightened about modern society might see something different in your appearance.
Take heart in this video of a Lodge in Cambridge, MA—and feel free to show it to anyone who might comment on your appearance.
Another one. A mason must care about their appearance correct?
is this public image? or hygiene and clothes?
I have a lip-ring, which may reflect negatively on character but it is mostly because the girls love it…
(I may have a lip-ring but I don’t act like a guy with a lip-ring.)
Should I remove it?
Joseph,
A mason cares about everything in reference to the image of the fraternity.
I had long hair in the 70’s, I have short hair now.
I wore an army jacket in the 70’s, I wear a suit jacket now.
I never got an earing because my Dad threatened to tear it out while I was sleeping.
I was given a petition when I was 21, grew up when I turned 35, and petitioned
the Lodge for membership when I turned 41.
We have members in lodge with tattoos, earrings, long,kept hair, ect.
There’s a time and place for everything; if you feel your lip-ring will
be offensive to the Lodge members, then it is your choice whether you are
going to wear it or not. Masons do not judge a man for his worldly wealth
or honor, we acknowledge his character by being a just and upright man.
We see a man from with-in, not with-out.
I think I have decided to keep attached to my face.
I think if I were to go to a lodge for years and years taking my piercing out each time, meeting the same people, I would feel a bit like I was betraying them.
I think I have decided to keep attached to my face.
I think if I were to go to a lodge for years and years taking my piercing out each time, meeting the same people, I would feel a bit like I was betraying them.
If/When it comes out it’ll be for good.
Hi Japes,
No one will care about the lip ring and once you become a Master Mason you can wear it freely in the lodge, however unless it’s plastic you will be asked to remove it for the conference of your degrees. There is a reason for this - not just because they want to hassle you. I would recommend no jewelery on the night of your degrees (nipple rings, tongue piercings, ear rings - leave them all home for one night).
I know you said all jewelry but your examples only listed piercings.
I don’t wear any typical rings but I’m wondering if you can wear those or a necklace.
No one is interested in outward embellishments, like piercings or tattoos. Masonry is only interested in making good men better. Masonry is (among other things), a self-improvement program. Please, have no concern about such trivial items, as your lip ring.
I know you said all jewelry but your examples only listed piercings.
I don’t wear any typical rings but I’m wondering if you can wear those or a necklace.
I should have clarified a little more - No metals on degree conferral nights. All other nights you can wear what you want.
I know you said all jewelry but your examples only listed piercings.
I don’t wear any typical rings but I’m wondering if you can wear those or a necklace.
You need to go through the Entered Apprentice initiation without any mineral or metalic substances on or about you. It has nothing to do with electrictiy (although I can see why you might think that). The reasons are explained to you at the time and will make perfect sense.
@cemab4y: I wasn’t asking if Freemasons would think my piercings were cool or not.
I was asking because I wasn’t sure if a piercing or any jewelry would offend masons.
@zoffy and Dan Madore: Thank you both for your useful information on metals. I’m excited to find out the reasoning!
One more… I am mixed raced (pretty much every race there is, but for arguments sake I’ll say mulatto). Do I have to join Prince Hall Masonry? Is there even Prince Hall Masonry in Canada?
One more… I am mixed raced (pretty much every race there is, but for arguments sake I’ll say mulatto). Do I have to join Prince Hall Masonry? Is there even Prince Hall Masonry in Canada?
No, you can join a regular Masonic lodge. There are men of almost all ethnicity in my lodge. We do not discriminate based on ethnicity.
Thanks for all your thoughtful questions. I am certain your grandfather is very proud that you are considering joining Freemasonry. But I agree with Brother Jay here. This time is about family. Honor your family first. Then, if you decide it is right for you, honor your Grandfather by then becoming a Mason and living the life of a Mason. The honor of Masonry is in how we live, not in simply getting degrees.
As for your appearence, Masonry looks at no man for his outward appearance, but is only interested in the person inside. That being said, we live in a flawed society—and some of our members who may be less enlightened about modern society might see something different in your appearance.
Take heart in this video of a Lodge in Cambridge, MA—and feel free to show it to anyone who might comment on your appearance.
thank YOU for all your thoughtful answers! All of you.
I have felt very welcome at this site and free to ask any question that I could think of within reason.
Which I didn’t feel AT ALL calling the masonic office for information.
I will check out those links! Thank you so much.
EDIT: “http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/28270320/detail.htm” is down :(
I have done a search for keywords: “appearance, Mason and Cambridge, MA” and came up with nothing.
I would very much like to watch the video if it is out there somewhere.
