Join the Brethren of Rochester's Tyrian Lodge No. 333

Why Should I Join?

Many men come to Freemasonry seeking different things. Some are looking for a way to meet other men of good character for friendship. Others are looking for a organization with a strong historical tradition. More still come to learn about the men in their family who came before them.

There are many reasons to walk the same path of some of the greatest historical figures of the past three hundred years, one steeped in superb wisdom and strong mentorship. A fraternal order that spans the globe and of great historical importance. And one that is also very close to home, which lifts up and supports each other and our families.

No matter what your reason, if you wish to learn more about Freemasonry, we're here and happy to help. We've tried to include the basics of joining here, but there is so, so much more to our order and it would be nearly impossible to add it all here. Entire libraries exist to that end, but we've added a short list of books to help the uninitiated, should they need some early information. That said, we highly recommend that all potential applicants - whom we refer to as petitioners - to read as little as necessary prior to joining. It heightens the experience, as well as brings far greater clarity to what they read.

Basic Requirements

The jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of the State of Illinois has the following basic requirements for membership of any Lodge:

Male
18 Years of Age or Older
Good Moral Character
Believe in a Supreme Being/Higher Power (See Below)
Illinois Resident for a Minimum of Six Months
Ability to Speak, Read, and Write English

Freemasonry accepts men of all religious beliefs, races, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and income levels. In matters of spiritual belief, each Brother is left to their own to determine that religion or practice which best suits them - Freemasonry is not a religion, though many of its members are profoundly religious.

While a history of criminal transgressions need not be completely exclusory, it should be disclosed to the Brethren of the Lodge up front, significant time should have passed since the last occurrence, and the perspective member should have demonstrated a genuine and sincere effort to reform their behaviour and live a virtuous life.

How Do I Join?

Becoming a Freemason is not meant to be a quick and easy process. Indeed, as with all things Masonic, it is meant to make a deep and lasting impression. Just as you are judging whether a particular Lodge is a good fit for you, the members of the Lodge are trying to determine if you are a good fit for them. It is well that they do, for joining a Lodge isn't joining a social club or a gym membership: The men of the Lodge are Brothers, and will be for life. We celebrate together in the good times, console one another in the bad times, and seek to lift one another up in the hardest of times. It is a commitment that goes beyond the dues cards, the rings, the hats, and all of the outward ornaments that mark us to the rest of the world as Freemasons. It is not to be taken lightly, and so the process is given an equal solemnity, so as to make certain your membership is of merit to both yourself and our Lodge.

Visit

The process of joining any Masonic Lodge begins with visiting with the Brethren. We invite anyone interested in Freemasonry to join us for any of our public activities; alternatively, we serve a meal during the hour before our monthly Stated Meetings that perspective members are absolutely welcome to join us for.

Getting to know one another is critical for determining whether you are a good fit for our Lodge, and if our Lodge is a good fit for you. Those you meet, should you join, will be your Brothers, the ones you interact with the most. They are also the ones who will vote on your petition when it is brought before the Lodge for it's decision.

Petition

Once you're comfortable with the Lodge and have decided Tyrian Lodge is right for you, the next step is to petition. Ideally, this isn't on your first visit, but rather once the you and the Brethren of the Lodge have had a chance to really get to know one another.

To petition, you simply request the form, fill it out, and get two Brothers to agree to sign it. This is, in part, why getting to know the Brethren is so important. These two Brothers are vouching that you are a good man, who will enrich our Lodge by joining, and be likewise enriched by participation. It's a responsibility we take very seriously.

Interview

One the petition is signed and turned in, it has to be read at the next monthly Stated Meeting. When read, the Lodge's Worshipful Master then assigns what we refer to as an Investigation Committee - three Brothers who will meet with you and, if applicable, your spouse or significant other.

During this meeting, which is really more of an interview, the committee will ask several questions to ensure you are qualified and genuinely interested. They will also ensure that your spouse or significant other is agreeable to your joining, as we promote harmony within your family over activity in Freemasonry. This is also an opportunity for you and your family to ask us questions and learn more before joining.

Vote

After completing the petition and meeting with the Investigation Committee, your petition will be read again at the next monthly Stated Meeting. The Worshipful Master will also give the report of the Investigation Committee. At this point, all Brethren of the Lodge present will vote on your petition.

During the ballot, each Brother will cast a secret, anonymous vote. A white ball elects, a black ball rejects. (This is, it should be noted, the origin of the phrase "blackballed.") Under the constitution of the Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of the State of Illinois, all present voting must vote to accept the petitioner and a single black ball will reject their petition. For this reason, as Masons, we are taught to be mindful and not capricious in our votes.

Initiate

Once you have been favorably balloted and elected to become a Freemason, congratulations! Soon, the Lodge will reach out an make arrangements for your initiation. For your part, we'll just need to determine a good date upon which to conduct what we refer to as the "First Degree." For our Lodge, this is typically the evening of the fourth Wednesday of the month.

On the night of, the only special you need to do is present yourself at the Lodge. We take care of the rest. It's a unique night, one that each of us have gone through, and we're all there to support you and assist in making it a night you will look back upon favorably for years to come.

Suggested Reading (If You Must)

Some potential applicants - or those closest to them - need to read a bit before joining. We're well aware that there are a lot of different stories, tall tales, conspiracy theories, and outright malicious materials floating about the internet and elsewhere. Trying to explain and contend with them all can be, to say the least, rather exhausting. That said, we also want those joining to be comfortable and understand that our fraternity is just that - a group of men, working towards a common goal, that being to help one another become a better version of ourself.

Below, we've provided some very, very rudimentary reading to help the uninitiated - and their families - get a feel for what Freemasonry is, the role it could play in their lives, and what is expected of them. It's an introductory perspective on what we dub "the Craft," designed to give you enough information to help you sift through all of the contradictory information available in the wild and decide for yourself.

Of particular note, we highly recommend that petitioners come into Freemasonry with as little information as possible. This gives them a clean slate by which to judge the information taught to them, bringing in as few preconceptions and misplaced expectations as possible. Please, if you are considering joining, only engage in the materials listed below or speak with a Brother of the Lodge, and only read as much as you need to reach a decision. We are happy to suggest - or even loan - further reading after you are initiated.

Finally, with respect to Mr. Dan Brown and the novels that have brought many knocking on the doors of their local Lodge, you will not find his novels amongst the suggested readings. Nor will you find the books written by Manly P. Hall. Neither author is considered particularly insightful on matters of Masonry within Masonic circles - Brown wrote fiction and created his own mythos that has little basis in fact, while Hall wrote his own works as a complete outsider, and did not become a Freemason until years - even decades, in some cases - after his works were published.

Freemasonry for Dummies - It might seem an odd choice, but this book by WB. Christopher Hodapp actually provides a wonderful introduction to the basic functions and roles of Freemasonry, without spoiling all of the lessons and teachings. It has been, and continues to be, one of the leading go-to books offered to those interested in joining, and for very good reason.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry - Another one of those "Really? I mean, really??" books, but, yes, this is a good source of information for those seeking to learn about the Craft, without delving too deeply and ruining the fun of the Degrees.
A Handbook for the Freemason's Wife - A short book written by a woman, giving a woman's perspective upon the Craft. Though more relevant to English Freemasonry, which varies considerably from Illinois Freemasonry, it still has a great bit of information that is pertinent to our American spouses, particularly in the first half of the book.
Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry? - Written by two notable Freemasons, this book explores the origins and motivations behind anti-Masonic endeavors. An excellent and accessible attempt to answer many of the criticisms and conspiracy theories that revolve around Freemasonry.
The Better Angels of Our Nature - A historical book that examines Freemasonry during the American Civil War, where Brothers were forced to fight one another in the field, but also returned to our fundamental teachings between the battles. A good bit of history that many Americans are familiar with, told from the perspective of our order, and shows how, even in our darkest hours and the heat conflict, we still care for and look after one another.

Report abuse