A Mason is a spiritual and moral man who seeks out friendship with others who share his values. Freemasonry provides individuals with a methodical and structured approach to personal development centred on the Golden Rule: treat others as you would like to be treated.

Masonry is a profession with over 3.2 million practitioners worldwide, including over 40,000 in Ontario alone.

No matter your background or beliefs, you will be treated with respect.
Freemasons tend to be morally upstanding individuals, yet the fraternity is apolitical and does not encourage discussion of sectarian religions or political ideologies. Masonic members have a great deal of personal freedom, as long as their actions are consistent with the high moral standards represented by the square and compasses.

Masons are expected to be decent people in all aspects of their lives, from treating their families with respect to being trustworthy in the workplace to helping those in need to always acting with compassion and kindness. Each man has responsibilities to his family, his job, his faith, his community, and himself, and Masonry acknowledges that these must take precedence.

Masons proceed through three degrees, or levels, with each level presenting a different lesson through a different set of symbols. In order to answer questions like “Who am I?” and “Where did I originate from?” that are central to Masonic thought, one must earn their degrees. Like, why am I even here? And what happens after that?

A lodge is not a structure, but rather is the men who make it up.
The Masonic lodge is the bedrock of the fraternity. Here are the classrooms where Masonry’s lessons on charity at home, integrity in commerce, politeness in public, objectivity in the workplace, compassion for the disadvantaged, and brotherly love are taught. Most lodges have prominent signs and may be found on the main streets of both large and small cities all around the world.

Ontario is home to more than 550 lodges, so it’s likely that there’s one that has meetings close by.

Masons are not members of a mysterious society and are often willing to share their expertise.
You may learn everything you need to know about Masons by visiting any large bookshop or library. Masonic lodges are easily identifiable due to their distinctive signage and directory entries, and members are easily recognized thanks to the jewellery they typically wear.

The so-called “Secrets” of Freemasonry are limited to the procedures by which an uninvited guest might establish his membership in the fraternity and gain entry to a lodge to which he would not have been granted admittance had he not done so.

Masonic Brotherhood, or the Bigger Family.
As a Mason, you have the option of expanding your horizons and enriching your knowledge by joining other orders:

Scottish Rite, York Rite, Shriners, and Knights Templar are all secret societies.

Masonry is a male-dominated organization, however members often include their wives and children in lodge social activities.
Lodges welcome women, girls, and boys who share Masonic beliefs to their various social and charity programs. Those interested in a more formal commitment can join one of the affiliated groups. Young Men can join DeMolay, and girls can choose between the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and Job’s Daughters International.

There are many other types of Masonic organizations, but at its core, Freemasonry is a fraternity, not a charity, social club, or other kind of charitable group. But aiding others via philanthropy is a major tenet of the fraternity’s values.

Social Responsibility:
Volunteerism and Community Service by Masons

Masons are expected to play an important role in their neighbourhoods. Here are just a few examples of Masonic involvement in community service projects:

The Masonic Foundation of Ontario is a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency that provides funding for a variety of worthwhile causes, including studies on hearing loss, scholarships for postsecondary students, assistance for those with autism spectrum disorder, studies on prostate cancer, and education initiatives aimed at young people about the dangers of substance abuse.

The Shriners run the largest network of hospitals in North America that treat children who have been burned or injured at no cost. Roughly 150 clinics, centres, and initiatives are part of the Scottish Rite Masons’ network for treating language disorders in children.

Each district finances its own charitable initiatives independently.

Through its teachings, his Masonic associations, and a philosophy that has served the social requirements of men for ages, Masonry provides each man with an opportunity to better himself.

Tradition: As a Mason, you join a group that has been around for centuries and has its roots in that history. You’ll feel like a part of a dynamic, expanding, and morally uplifting organization of men, from the first stonemasons who built some of Europe’s most majestic architectural wonders to the present Masons who participate in various philanthropic foundations.

Personal Growth: Studying the Ritual and earning a Degree are intellectually stimulating activities that, when combined with committee work and lodge management, offer ample opportunity to hone skills in leadership and organization, discipline through dedication, poise and confidence, and the art of public speaking.

Fellowship: Participating in lodge initiatives, whether philanthropic or social in nature, gives one a sense of accomplishment by allowing them to make a difference, collaborate with others, and reap the rewards of hard work.

A Break from the Workaday Routine: Joining with lodge members in a fraternal culture helps make up for the loss of workplace fellowship caused by the modern work environment’s emphasis on individualism and competition.

Masonic lodges are gathering places for men from all walks of life, where they can put their professional worries on hold and focus on building friendships instead.

The three tenets, or core principles, of Ancient Freemasonry best encapsulate these characteristics: brotherly love, relief, and truth. If you find these principles to be helpful, Masonry is open to you.

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