What Does 3 5 7 Mean in Masonry
What does it mean to seek more light in Masonry? A question that every Master Mason is faced with when he is asked to take an obligation before God and man.
The answer is simple – he is to be a person of good character, defend the weak and protect the poor, and always seek the TRUTH no matter what the outcome. Truth, honor, pride, family, country, and God are not words without meaning in Freemasonry. As men of good moral character, we have promised to help those who need help, live our
Audio clips about Freemasonry
- Listen to "Facts and Fiction About Freemasonry"
- Listen to "So You Want to Know More"
- Listen to "Brief History About Freemasonry"
(Audio clips provided by the Masonic Information Center)
As the oldest fraternal organization for men in the world, our organizational structure shows its age. The basic organizational unit of the Fraternity is the Lodge. We believe the term comes from the lodges (shelters) constructed at the building sites of cathedrals and castles during the Middle Ages. Masons worked and lived in these shelters. Each Lodge is headed by an officer called the "Worshipful Master." "Worshipful" means "highly respected" or "honored." The term comes from the judicial system of England and carries no religious implication. "Master" means "leader," or "best qualified," as in "Concert Master" or "Master Architect."
Each officer of a Lodge has a title that originated during the Middle Ages. These titles may vary somewhat from state to state, but in
Masonic Titles of Officers
| Middle Ages Title | Current Title | Middle Ages Title | Current Title | ||
| Worshipful Master | President | Marshal | Master of Ceremonies | ||
| Senior Warden | 1st Vice President | Deacon | Messenger | ||
| Junior Warden | 2nd Vice President | Steward | Page | ||
| Treasurer | Financial Officer | Tiler | Door Keeper | ||
| Secretary | Recorder | Chaplain | Chaplain |
TOP TEN MOST ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MASONRY
Published by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania
1) Where can I learn more about the Freemasons?
The best way to get information is to talk to a Mason – either in person or online. You may have some of the same questions
2) What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry aims to promote Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love among its members. It is, by definition, a Fraternity; comprised of men from every race, religion, opinion, and background who are brought together as Brothers to develop and strengthen the bonds of friendship. With over three million members, Freemasons belong to the largest and oldest fraternal organization in the world. Freemasonry proposes to "make good men better" by teaching – with metaphors from geometry and architecture – about building values based on great universal truths.
3) Where did Freemasonry come from?
Part of the mystique of Freemasonry can be attributed to speculation about its roots. Over the years, researchers have never been able to conclusively determine exactly when, where, how, and why Freemasonry was born. The Order is thought to have arisen from the English and Scottish guilds of practicing stonemasons and cathedral builders in the Middle Ages, but certain Masonic documents actually trace the sciences of geometry and masonry to the time of ancient Egypt, and some historians say that Masonry has its real roots in antiquity. Sound clip from MSA – Listen to "Brief History"
The formation of the first Grand Lodge of England in 1717 could mark the beginning of the Modern (or "Speculative") era of
4) Is there a difference between Masons and Freemasons?
The names are interchangeable. The term Freemason is often used today in public to differentiate the Fraternity from actual operative
5) Why is there so much interest in Masonry today?
Over the last four centuries, Freemasonry seems to have flourished during times of great enlightenment and change. It is no coincidence that Freemasonry rose to prominence during the Age of Enlightenment in both Europe and America – where a new generation believed it could discover ways to gain personal improvement, bring order to society, and understand the whole universe. This statement is perhaps even stronger today than it was in the 18th century.
Today, men seek out Masonry for the same reasons – to better themselves and improve society in the company of like-minded Brothers. As we learn more about how our physical world works, there's also new interest in those things we don't understand – especially things bound around tradition or that have a more mystical nature. Also, books like "The Da Vinci Code" and movies like The Da Vinci Code have brought up both new interest and renewed speculation about the nature of the Fraternity. Though these books and movies are a product more of a vivid imagination than fact, the real history of Masonry is perhaps the best story of all – one learned only by Asking – and becoming a Freemason.
6) Can Freemasonry actually prepare me for greatness?
No organization can guarantee to make anyone great, but the powerful values and important truths that are taught as part of the Masonic tradition has proven to inspire, challenge, and develop leadership in men. Benjamin Franklin may have said it best, describing the Fraternity as a place to "prepare himself."
Perhaps one of the things that
Today, men are preparing themselves for greatness in Lodges the world over. If you think there's greatness in you, we invite your interest.
7) Is Masonry a secret society?
No. It is sometimes said that Freemasonry is a "Society with secrets, not a secret society." In point of fact, however, any purported Masonic "secrets" were made public several centuries ago in London newspapers, and today can be found in the Library of Congress, on the Internet, and in many books on the subject. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "The great secret of Freemasonry is that there is no secret at all."
8) What about secret handshakes, ritual, and passwords?
9) How do I become a Freemason? Ask One To Be One!
Because Masons have not traditionally recruited members, and do not hold public meetings, there has long been confusion about how to join the Fraternity. Does someone ask you? Do you ask? Today, because of widespread interest in the Fraternity – along with the plethora of both information and misinformation found on the Internet – the following information was put together on how men can join:
Most men can become a Mason by simply asking – like Washington, Franklin, and most every Mason from the past to the present day. Membership is open to men of every race, religion, culture, and level of income. The requirements for membership are that you be over the age of 18, believe in a Supreme Being, and can be found to be of good character. The belief in a Supreme Being is said to be a requirement that is needed to take certain oaths, otherwise "no obligation would be binding upon you."
Generally, men seek out a Lodge near their home or
Not all men can become Masons, however. Masonry does not purport to make "bad men good," only "good men better." Only men of good character are accepted into the Fraternity. Masonic Lodges review every applicant's moral character – and the centuries-old "blackball" system is still in place; members must be voted in by a 100% vote of Lodge members present.
10) What is a Grand Lodge?
Grand Lodges were formed – first in England and Ireland, and later in America, to help standardize ritual, traditions, and customs among various Lodges. The first Grand Lodge in America was formed in Massachusetts in 1733. Today there is a Grand Lodge in every state – and virtually every country in the world. There is no "central" Grand Lodge, though Grand Lodges also meet to help facilitate unity and uphold tradition within the Craft.
Interested? Here Are More Questions…
What is
The nature of
Not everyone will want to learn the ancient ritual – as it takes great time and study – but those Masons who choose to learn it are rewarded with the satisfaction of upholding a powerful tradition and helping their fellow Brothers further their Masonic understanding.
Can African Americans become Masons?
Masonry accepts men from every race, color, creed, nationality, and culture, and there are many Freemasons of African-American
Are Shriners Masons?
Yes. All Shriners are Masons. Before a man can join the Shrine – often called the "Playground of Masonry," – he must first receive three "degrees" in his "Blue Lodge," or Home Lodge. After that, any Mason can move on to one or more of the appendant bodies, including the Scottish and York Rites – and the Shriners. Masons may also affiliate with other Lodges. It should be noted that although these other Masonic bodies allow members to pursue advanced degrees and get more Masonic education, there is no "higher" degree than the third, which is received in the Blue Lodge.
I heard Catholics cannot become Masons, is that true?
Freemasonry has always welcomed members of any faith, including Catholics. Today, there are many, many Catholics – as well as Jews, Muslims, and members of every faith who are Masons.
Were all our early
No. Although many presidents have been Masons throughout history – from George Washington to Gerald Ford (fourteen Presidents). Many of the early leaders of the Revolution were Masons, including Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and Paul Revere. The list of prominent men who became Masons before going on to greatness is extensive.
Why aren't there any famous women who are Masons?
Freemasonry is, by definition, a Fraternity that aims to promote Brotherly Love and Friendship among its members. It is a worldwide organization that draws together men from every country, race, religion, ethnicity, opinion, and background, and helps cultivate and promote better relationships and bonds of friendships among them. Freemasonry doesn't focus on Friendship and Brotherly Love because it believes that only relations between men are important, or that relations between men and women are unimportant, but because hope for peace and harmony in the world is improved when men can put aside their differences and come together as friends.
Masons also appreciate and value relations with women. We sponsor and participate in
Is Masonry a Religion?
Masonry is not a religion. But it is one of the few platforms where men of every religion can come together. And although Lodges open and close with a prayer, and Masonry teaches morality, it is not a church or a religion. Masonry is open to all men who believe in God, but because of the necessity to take oaths, no atheist can become a Mason.
Is Freemasonry a charity?
No. Masonic principles teach the value of relief – or charity – and Freemasons give more than 2.6 MILLION DOLLARS A DAY, of which more than 70% of these donations support the general public. Among their works are the Shriners Hospitals for Children with 23 sites throughout North America, including a burn center in Boston and an orthopaedic facility in Springfield; 178 Scottish Rite RiteCare® clinics, centers, and special programs helping children with speech and language disorders; the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, and the Masonic Angel Foundation, providing modest assistance to children and adults in local communities who do not fit the criteria for usual social-services. Most recently, the Masonic Service Association of North America entered into an agreement with the USO to participate in Operation Phone Home: a campaign to provide
Finally…
Just because the secrets have been made public doesn't mean everyone knows the mystery of Masonry. In fact, much of the appeal of the Craft is that the great truths revealed in Masonic ritual can take years to understand. Like the building of any great structure, the powerful metaphors and symbols of Masonry build character – and sometimes greatness – one stone at a time.
What Does 3 5 7 Mean in Masonry
Source: https://grandlodgeofvirginia.org/seeking-more-light-in-masonry/
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