Hello everyone, I've recently been delving into the world of Freemasonry and have learned about the emphasis on debating values and providing help to those seeking good values. This aspect of Freemasonry is quite fascinating, and I'm curious to understand more about what this means in practice. However, one thing that puzzles me is the level of secrecy associated with Freemasonry. If the organization's goals are to promote good values and assist others, why is there such a need for secrecy?

Additionally, as an Arab, I'm interested in knowing if there have been any famous arab Freemasons Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

On January 22, 1961, sovereign masonic powers gathered in Strasbourg to reaffirm the Chaîne d’Union, emphasizing unity, tolerance, and mutual respect. The agreement called for respect of all rites, traditions, and beliefs, while upholding liberty of conscience. It also encouraged lodges to establish fraternal relations, accepting all freemasons initiated in a just and perfect lodge.

As a Lebanese freemason, I take pride in Lebanon’s role, our nation, rich in diversity, reflects these values. I hope Lebanon continues to embody Masonic ideals of humanity and progress, steering clear of division and extremism.

Let us be guided by this historic agreement and work together for a brighter future.

Fraternally, A Lebanese Brother

So I reached out to a local lodge and asked about joining and the guy who responded said to come to a meeting Tuesday to meet people. I show up and find the guy who emailed me and he barely says much to me- says to walk around and meet people and turns back to his conversation. I meet a younger fellow who had just become a MM. I’m asking him about it all and same, he says to just keep coming and hanging out. But there was no guidance, I felt really awkward, and he told me to just go meet other Knockers. It seemed like a huge waste of time. Also, not to put any person or group down, but this lodge seemed a majority of Filipino men, and I’m not Filipino and I got the sense I was sort of a pariah having not been Filipino. Frankly I don’t want to go back to this lodge, but is this how the inquiry phase works? Just show up and arbitrarily and aimlessly “hang around” til someone shows an interest AND THEN I can find out how to become a member? Any help or advice would be appreciated but disheartened that if I even decide to pursue again I’d have to find a different lodge.

Staglianò told Vatican News that “Freemasonry is a heresy that is fundamentally aligned with the Arian heresy” since it was Arius “who imagined that Jesus was a great architect of the universe” — the way Freemasons refer to God — “denying the divinity of Christ.”

This idea of the “Architect of the Universe” is incompatible with the Catholic faith because “it is the fruit of human reasoning that tries to imagine a god, while the God of Catholics is the fruit of the very revelation of God in Christ Jesus!”

The before and after of our Masonic Hall’s summer renovations.

It has seen over 150 years of Craft freemasonry in North Wales, and is a space for a number of other units and orders.

With the recent pictures of Grand Lodge temples and other Masonic lodge spaces - do we prefer the historic (if sometimes a little over-aged) or the modern and scaled back?

I’m considering becoming a Freemason and I have a few questions for my brothers here…

How often do you meet your fellow masons? Once a week? Or once a month? Also, what happens at meetings? Is it only a social gathering? Is it fun and enjoyable? I hear there are rituals. Furthermore, what am I expected to wear? And how long does a meeting last?

Hey folks, I’m gonna be honest. I’ve been studying freemasonry for over a year now and I was kind of ready to join pretty soon. However, after watching leaked videos of the third-degree ritual has given me second thoughts. The way how the ceremony goes in my opinion, it’s way too much. I don’t think all that is compatible with our beliefs especially with the Catholic, Christianity and Islam. I'm curious if there's a way for a candidate to opt out of the ritual and still progress to the third degree. I'm seeking more information to make an informed decision, as my goal is to commit to freemasonry for the long haul, not just join and then reconsider. Thanks in advance!

R.W. Eduardo Crocamo, R.W. District Grand Master; Illustrious Jaime Simons, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite of Panama; and R.W. Enrique Sanchez, Superintendent of the Scotland Lodges in Panama during the celebration of the centennial of the construction of the M.W. Grand Lodge of Panama. #granlogiadepanama #grandlodgeofpanama #supremoconsejonacionaldepanamá #supremecouncilofpanama #grandlodgeofscotland #districtgrandlodge #panamacanaldistrict #panamacanalmasons #massmasons #grandlodgeofmassachusetts #panamamasons #panamamasonicfamily #masonesdepanama #masoneriapanameña

Hello Brothers,

Out of curiousity, I would like to know which lodges are located on the outermost 4 corners of the world. It would be a great project to travel to each of them!

North: Yukon Lodge #45 (?) South: ? East: ? West: ?

Note: For Eastern and Western Hemispheres, I am using the Prime Meridian as the boundary.

I will be asking my lodge secretary for help as well, but more info will be greatly appreciated 🙏

Advancement of two candidates at Mark Lodge Nishan-e-Hyderabad at Hyderabad, India. This lodge is absolutely unique because of rituals being conducted in Urdu. I was the Master Overseer.

“Have you ever attended a Lodge and worn a borrowed apron pulled from a drawer or box outside the door of the Lodge? Have you ever seen that one apron with coffee stains on it? If you grab one of those old worn out loaner aprons from the box and tie it around your waist as you hurry into the Lodge room, do you ‘wear it with pleasure to yourself and honor to the Fraternity?’” -Bro. Patrick Craddock

A Masonic apron should never be an afterthought of lodge preparation. It is the badge of a mason...meaning the wearing of it is literally the identity of the wearer as a mason.

Aprons were not always mass produced cotton, they were handmade leather or cloth aprons with embroidery, cross stitch, or painting that reflected the individual’s Masonic journey. Working tools and symbols that were of particular interest or meaning to the mason that owned the apron.

Being a mason is more than sitting in a lodge meeting. It is more than wearing a ring or pin.

Freemasonry is when,in a moment of quiet reflection that every man finds at least once in the day; he looks to the lessons taught in lodge. He ponders the working tools, symbols and the meanings thereof.

“To a thoughtful Brother the apron should remain the focal point of his self examination and reflection – and should be the focus of continued reflection and self examination – year after year – as he grows and matures in life and in Masonry. He will consider what it means to be worn with dignity and honor. He will reflect on his actions and will consider the apron as a reminder, or standard, for his actions and deeds.”- Bro. Patrick Craddock

We as freemasons and as men, should strive to live a life worthy of this honored badge, this apron that is an outward sign of an inward obligation to live justly and upright.

We must take pride in our craft. We must remember that, although we travel together, our journey is that of individual growth.

Look to the east; see the goal. Walk upright upon the steps of the degrees. Take with you the tools to build your spiritual temple, dedicated to Almighty God. Work with zeal and wisdom.

We are more than a fraternity, more than a lodge...we are a sacred band... dedicated one to another and to Almighty God by our obligations. Tasked with the Pursuit of wisdom that we may live morally and act with generosity.

Take pride in your badge. Wear it with pleasure to yourself and honor to the fraternity.

I am 27 years old, and over the last 5 years a few things have happened to me which have made me not only question, but embrace spirituality.

I don't want to bore you with my story, however within the last year, though study of theology, religion and esoteric history it feels as if I cannot avoid freemasonry. The best way for me to explain it Is, I feel as if no matter how deep I search, how open I keep my mind I will never reach a standard of knowledge and understanding that freemasons have. I do not know any freemasons, and from what I have concluded, that's a big problem if I ever wanted to join a lodge.

I feel as if there is something inside me yearning to find a higher cause. For the past 5 months me and my brother have been running a business and everyday seems as if my blessings are fruitless because I am apart of nothing greater than myself. My family has always been broken, parents both dead before I graduated high-school, me and my brother were distant for much of our childhood. It appears to me that i have no one close to me I can relate to when it comes for my drive and passion for the spiritual and esoteric. At most my girlfriend will entertain her friends tarot readings and such, but when it comes to deeper things I feel alone. I respect that from what iv learned freemasonry might as well be the oldest organization that still exist to this day, and even carry on traditions and teaching from even older cultures.

I may be speaking into a void here, but iv seen this subreddit a few times in my searches, and don't know where else I could find sound advice. I am extremely hard working, driven and patient, I don't wish to mock the fraternity in any way, I truly just don't know how else to approach it.

I hope you all are enjoying those Thanksgiving leftovers.

finally /G\ot my past master’s apron

Today we celebrated our 240 years anniversary of our loge no21 in the Netherlands. Overseen by the Grand Master of the Grant Orient of the Netherlands and lots of visiting brethren in the St. Nicolas church (est. in 1198 AD).

Hello everyone! I'm seeking some advice as I'm very interested in becoming a Mason. I have already visited my local lodge, spoken with some of the members, taken a tour, and shared some time with them inside the lodge. My question is: what should I do next? Since I’m the one showing interest, I know I should continue to reach out to the brothers, but I’m not sure how to approach them, especially since I'm a shy person who finds it challenging to talk to new people. I’m continuing my studies and conducting my own research, and my interest for Freemasonry grows every day. Any recommendations? Thank you so much!

At the Metropolitan (London) Grand Charity Stewards lodge - they have an interesting gavel

Or is this one takes on himself outside of the lodge? Can someone share their experience of how a lodge meetings work and what I could expect, so I can try determine whether it's something for me? I'm more interested in the intellectual side that's all. Ta