Do You Want to be a Mason?
Among millions of Masons, for hundreds of years, it was not lawful to invite a friend to apply for membership. Our code of conduct prevented it. Thus, no faithful Mason could invite you to join. Hence, to be one, you have to ask one.
You must first ask yourself if you’re suitably prepared to enter the “gentle craft of Masonry” . . . to become a brother in the world’s most exclusive fraternal order. Few men are intellectually or spiritually prepared to understand or appreciate even the most apparent meanings of Masonry.
Do you reflect on the nature of man’s purpose in life and will you make obligations to a supreme being, your family, and yourself?
If such ethical and moral questions hold little interest for you, then you will gain little benefit from the teachings of the Craft. But if you seek a more meaningful quality of life – and the spirit of charity and good fellowship which flow from it – then Freemasonry has much to offer.
We want the world to know what we believe, how we act, and what we do . . . and, then, should you become a Mason, we want you to be proud of our Fraternity and to participate in our work. Only those who desire membership because of their favorable impression of us should seek a petition to join.
What We Ask of You
Any man who is twenty one years of age or older and of good moral character, who comes
well-recommended, and who believes in a Supreme Being may petition to become a Freemason.
The Steps To Becoming A Freemason
Welcome to the first step of your journey. How this journey unfolds – that’s up to you.
Many great men have come before you, and many will come after, all of whom will have had questions they needed answered. We are here to answer any questions you may have in regards to Freemasonry or becoming a Freemason. We try to inform people about what a Masonic Lodge is, how it operates, and to set straight myths about our fraternity.
Much has been said about our fraternity, some positive and some negative. You can freely read about our history and culture through numerous websites or books, but you’ll be missing the most important aspect of becoming a Freemason: the experience we provide through our unwritten traditions and our ancient rituals. Don’t despair, none of our traditions or rituals will go against your moral fabric.
Masonry is about respecting the past, understanding and being in the present, and planning for the future. The goal of Doric Lodge and our Fraternity has always been and always will be to ‘make good men better’. We actively exemplify this ideology by reminding our members of their duties towards their neighbours and communities, and to always be mindful and supportive of those less fortunate, both Mason and non-Masons alike.
If this sounds of interest to you, we would like to extend to you an open invitation to learn more and to join our fraternity. We caution you though to not take this step lightly, as this decision has the power to change your life.
Read, ask, read some more, and take a Freemason for a coffee (one of our favourite activities!). The idea is to already know a Doric Lodge member, however, if you don’t, and you choose to contact us, we’ll arrange for an introduction.
Once you’ve done all your reading and research, and you decide that Freemasonry appeals to you, the next step is to contact us! We use a 6-Step process to guide you through to make sure that Freemasonry is right for you.
Initiation as a Freemason with Doric Lodge is a rare and sought-after privilege. Lodge Officers and Mentors spend hundreds of heartfelt hours sharing the wisdom, joy, mysteries and discoveries of Freemasonry with you; as such, we are limited in the number of new Brethren we can admit each year. Before you are formally proposed by the Membership Committee, there will be a number of informal meetings and discussions with you to ensure that both you and the Lodge will be well-served by your membership. You may also be asked to attend a number of Festive Boards (our Lodge socials), or other Masonic social functions, in order to have an opportunity to meet the Brethren of Doric Lodge. If you continue-on to the formal membership petition stage, you will need two Lodge Brothers as sponsors. One of Freemasonry’s greatest joys is to extend the fraternal hand of welcome to new Brothers, and the social functions are the perfect way to find your sponsors!
After you have gone through the above steps, and remain fully decided that you would like to become a Freemason, and the Membership Committee has concurred with your interest and fit with the Lodge, your membership petition will be formally presented at a Doric Lodge meeting. A final delegation will then be struck with three Lodge Brothers to formally meet with you, normally in your home.
Upon favourable report from the three designated Brothers, you will be proposed for initiation into
Doric Lodge, and the Brethren of the Lodge will ballot on the proposal.
You will be advised of the results of the ballot, and if successful, given a prospective date for your initiation ceremony (the First Degree) and the commencement of your Masonic Journey!
Further Reading From The Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon
What attracts a man to Freemasonry? Every man comes of his own free will and accord, with his own individual needs and interests. One man may join so that he can associate with other men who believe that only by improving themselves can they hope to improve the world. Another man may join because he is looking for a focus for his charitable inclinations. And yet another may be attracted by a strong sense of history and tradition. Many join simply because they knew a friend or relative who was a Freemason and they admired that man’s way of living his life. All who join and become active discover a bond of brotherly affection and a community of mutual support; a practical extension of their own religious and social beliefs.
Please read a short article entitled “The Ideal of a Freemason“ . It was written over a hundred years ago and sums up much of what attracts some to Freemasonry. Keep in mind that this is an ideal. This is a goal that some Freemasons may fall short of, but they all have committed themselves to a path that leads to this ideal. We do not consider ourselves superior, but we do hold ourselves to high standards.
The following Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon website articles may interest you
- Aims and relationships of the Craft
- Responding to our Critics
- Freemasonry and Religion
- Becoming a Mason – Begin You
Produced by the Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon
If, after reading the above information and you are now interested in becoming a Freemason, the next step is to contact the Lodge Secretary who will arrange a meeting with you, a reminder that you are not joining a club, this is an institution founded on the principles of Brotherly Love, Relief & Truth, and is designed to help improve your life and well being.
Brotherly Love
Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.
Relief
Freemasons are taught to practice charity and to care – not for their own – but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.
Truth
Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives.