It's the oldest, largest and most prestigious fraternity in the world. We're kind of like a civic club, a charitable institution and a fraternity -- all rolled into one.
We're like a civic club in that we do a lot of community and statewide projects. We're like a major charity in that we give almost $2 million away every day. But, most importantly, we are a fraternity for men doing good things for each other, and trying to bring men of good morals and ethics together in our community.
The most important thing we do is take care of each other and our families. We are a fraternity. That means we help other Masons.
Masonic Principles
Masonry is the world's first and largest fraternal organization. It is based on the belief that each man has a responsibility to improve himself and help make the world a better place.
As Masons, we lead by example, give back to our communities, and support numerous Masonic philanthropies. We invest in children, our neighborhoods, and our future.
Our values
The rich traditions and core values of our centuries-old fraternity are relevant today and will endure for centuries to come.
Ethics
Masons practice a lifestyle based on honor, integrity,
and philanthropic values. Masons believe that things like
honesty, compassion, trust, and knowledge are important.
Tolerance
The fraternity transcends religious, ethnic, cultural, social, and educational differences. We respect others' opinions and strive to grow and develop as human beings.
Personal growth
Our continuing pursuit of knowledge, ethics, and leadership skills makes us better men and brings more meaning to our lives.
Philanthropy
We are committed to make a difference in our world through community service, volunteerism, and charity.
Family
Strong family relationships are important, and we include our families in many of our activities. Striving to be better husbands, fathers, and family members enhances our fellowship.
It really isn't secretive, although it sometimes has that reputation.
Masons certainly don't make a secret of the fact that we are members of the fraternity. We wear rings, lapel pins, and tie clasps with Masonic emblems like the Square and Compass. Masonic buildings are clearly marked, and are usually listed in the phone book. Lodge activities are not secret - events are often listed in the newspapers, especially in smaller towns.
Everyone uses symbols every day because it allows us to communicate quickly. When you see a red light, you know what it means. When you see a circle with a line through it, you know it means "no." In fact, using symbols is probably the oldest method of communication and teaching.
Masons use symbols for the same reasons. Certain symbols, mostly selected from the art of architecture, stand for certain ethics and principles of the organization. The "Square and Compass" is the most widely known symbol of Masonry. In one way, this symbol is the trademark for the fraternity. When you see it on a building, you know that Masons meet there.
The absolute requirements for becoming a Mason are:
- Be a man
- At least 18 years old
- Possess a belief in a Supreme Being, however you see him
Membership is open to men age 18 and older who believe in a Supreme Being and meet the religious background requirements are welcome. One of Masonry's traditions is that we do not solicit members. Men must seek membership on their own initiative. When you're ready to join, you can contact us at:
Or to find more information and other lodges in your area go to:
California Grand Lodge of Freemasonry "How to become a member"
Free & Accepted Masons?
How did the term "Free and Accepted" originate? Ancient craftsmen were very skilled, and their craft was considered to be indispensable to the welfare of both "Church" and "State". For this reason, they were not placed under the same restrictions as were other workers - they were "free" to do their work, travel and live their lives in a manner befitting their importance. In England during the Middle Ages this freedom was rare. Most workers were under bond to the owners of the land on which they worked. Our legendary history carries this freedom for the Operative Mason back to the year 946, in York, England.
The word "Accepted" also goes back to the time of the operative mason. During the latter years of the Middle Ages, there were few educated men outside the monasteries of the world. Naturally, men wanted to become Freemasons to obtain the advantages the craft had to offer. These men did not necessarily want to build buildings; they wanted to belong to the organization. These were "Accepted" Masons, rather than operative masons. This practice probably originated when some of the people for whom the craftsmen were working asked to be admitted. This was an important transition for the Craft, because the secrets of the building trades were becoming more widely known, architecture was changing and membership was declining. By becoming "Speculative," the Craft grew rapidly. As time went on, there became many more "Accepted" members than there were operative members, and eventually we became a Speculative rather than an operative organization.
GRAND LODGE TITLES
Titles of Grand Lodges in the United States also vary. Some are called A.F. & A.M., which means Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The other most commonly used title is F. & A.M., or Free and Accepted Masons. The reason for this difference is that in England, when Grand Lodges first started, there was a rivalry between two different factions. One faction adopted the title "Ancient" and the other was called "Modern". This carried over to the United States, where Grand Lodges were styled either A.F. & A.M. or F. & A.M.. However, because of the complex situation of charters in the U.S., there is currently no logical connection between either of the terms and the origins of American Grand Lodges. In California, we call ourselves F. & A.M: Free and Accepted Masons.
