I have longtime wished to become a freemason and truly feel ready. How shall I go about this exactly? Do I contact an ambassador first and must he be close to me? Or should I go to the lodge itself and inquire? I am fortunate enough to live a mile away from one but do not know anyone in particular who is a member.

Your best bet would be to find out the days and time the lodge meets and go and talk to them . Check on the Grand Lodge web site of the state you live in also . You can ask any Master Mason for a petition for Degrees , so if you happen to know any Masons , that could be another route you could go . Best of luck to you .

Contradictator - 03 January 2008 11:20 PM

I have longtime wished to become a freemason and truly feel ready. How shall I go about this exactly? Do I contact an ambassador first and must he be close to me? Or should I go to the lodge itself and inquire? I am fortunate enough to live a mile away from one but do not know anyone in particular who is a member.

From your use of the term Ambassador, I’m going to assume you’re in Massachusetts where we have an Ambassador program designed to help non-Masons learn more about the Fraternity.  Visit the “Locate a Lodge” feature on AskaFreemason.org and you’ll find the name and contact information of a Brother for every lodge in the state.  I encourage you to contact him first and he will help answer your questions and provide you with information about Freemasonry and his lodge.  Then, if you would like, he’ll arrange to find a convenient time for you to visit the lodge, meet some of the other Brothers, and discuss your interest further.
-Robert

The procedure to petition (apply) for Freemasonry is not complicated, but there is a procedure, nonetheless. I encourage you to visit these two links:

http://masonicinfo.com/member.htm

and

http://www.masonic-renewal.org/freemasonry_explained.htm

Locate the lodge nearest your residence, and contact the lodge secretary, and ask for a petition. Fill out the petition, and submit it back to the secretary.  The lodge will determine your fitness for Freemasonry, and then inform you where to report for the degree work. 

I encourage you to proceed immediately, and keep us informed of your progress.

So mote it be,

Charles E. Martin
Fort Wayne In.

South Hadley, Mass friend:
The Massachusetts Masonic family has just completed a wonderful State-Wide Open House.  The remarkable thing was many new relationaships were established by men that a year ago would never have been introduced to a Lodge.  I again suggest that you review this site and link to the Find a Lodge area. make that connection first and all others will fall into place.  -Ron Doucette, Moderator