Becoming a Freemason can be one of the most significant events of your life. From the moment you become a Brother, you will feel immediate acceptance and Brotherly love. So where do you begin? To join . . . all you have to do ask a Mason:
- Preferably, someone you know or at least who lives or works nearby, or…
- You can find nearby lodges listed in your phonebook or on the internet, just as you found us here.
- Feel free to send us an email at LubbockMasonicLodge@gmail.com
The ABSOLUTE requirements for becoming a Mason are:
- be a man, at least 18 years old
- have a belief in a Diety
Also:
- You should be someone who does, or wants to learn to, enjoy the company of other men from all different social classes, faiths, backgrounds, races, countries, etc. Masonry is universal in its ideals.
- If you are a family man, Masonry considers that your family obligations come FIRST, so you must be sure that:
- you have the time to participate (usually two or three evenings/month at first – for meetings and instruction. Then at least one evening per month for stated business meetings. You can become as involved as you want.
- you can afford the initiation fees and the annual dues without hardship to yourself or your family. You should be coming to Masonry “of your own free will and accord”, to learn to improve yourself and to enjoy the company of other good men.
THE PROCESS FOR PETITIONING FOR THE DEGREES OF FREEMASONRY
Joining the fraternity of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons requires that a man, of his own free will, petition a Masonic Lodge for the Degrees in Masonry. Masons do not solicit for members. You will need to express your personal interest in joining the Fraternity.
Below are the general steps that you will take in seeking membership in our fraternity.
ASK FOR INFORMATION
Don’t be shy, we love talking to those interested in Masonry! You are welcome to come by anytime we are at the Lodge and visit with us about your interest in beginning your journey in Freemasonry
VISIT THE LODGE
Don’t be intimidated! We are here every Wednesday usually beginning around 6:00 PM. You are welcome to visit with us during that time and we would love to answer any questions you might have. Our floor practice begins at 7:00PM. This is when we start practicing our degree work and during that time it would only be members allowed.
We have our monthly stated meeting on the second Friday of every month. This consists of business and program presentations. Once again, if you are not a Mason, you would not be able to be a part of that. However, we have dinner before the regular stated meetings starting at 6:30PM and you are always welcome to join us for dinner.
REQUEST A PETITION
Request a petition from a Mason or from the lodge you would like to join. Your petition will require the signature of several Masons. If you don’t know any Masons, ask the lodge you’re petitioning for advice.
SUBMIT YOUR PETITION
When YOU are ready, submit your petition. Your petition will be received by the lodge and will be read during a stated meeting.
Now that the lodge has your petition, these are the actions you can expect the lodge to take:
THE INVESTIGATION
The Master of our Lodge will assign three members of the lodge to interview you and investigate your background. The investigators may want to meet with you at home and meet members of your family. There is a standard set of questions that all investigators must ask, but many will ask additional questions. Be honest with the investigators. No Mason is perfect . . . we don’t expect petitioners to be perfect, either.
THE BALLOT
Your investigators will be given a deadline by which to return their completed investigation reports to the lodge. Their reports along with their recommendation will be read to the lodge at a stated meeting. At this time, the Master of the Lodge will usually call for a ballot to be taken on your petition. Eligible Masons will then vote on your petition and the outcome of the ballot will be announced to the lodge.
AFTER THE BALLOT
Soon after the stated meeting, a member from the lodge should contact you with the outcome of the ballot and provide you with additional instructions. We will want to work with you to schedule a time to take the next step, your FIRST degree in masonry, the Entered Apprentice degree. There are three degrees that we confer, and many others in the appendant bodies, but no one forgets their first degree.
To learn more about the degrees, click here.