Freemasonry is the world's oldest and largest Fraternity. It aims to promote Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love among its members; men from every race, religion, opinion, and background who are brought together as Brothers to develop and strengthen the bonds of friendship. There are more than 3 million members meeting in nearly every free country 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. Finally, charity and community service is fundamental to Freemasonry and something we actively take part in.

Ask!

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? But if you meet the requirements above, it is really quite simple:

Most men can become a Mason by simply asking - like Sir John A. MacDonald, Tim Horton, and most every Mason from the past to the present day. Each Lodge manages the membership process for its candidates. In general, men seek out a Lodge near their home or work (the "Find a Lodge Near You" feature will help you find the nearest Lodge), or they ask a Mason to recommend a Lodge to them. Once you've found a Lodge you would like to join, let them know of your interest and they will provide you with a petition.

If you are unanimously elected by the members of a Lodge, joining the Fraternity involves going through three "Degrees": Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. Every man accepted into the Fraternity goes through the Degrees, thereby making each an equal to the others in the Lodge. Typically they are conferred during a Lodge's monthly meeting over the course of three months.

The order is thought to have arisen from the English and Scottish guilds of practicing stonemasons and cathedral builders in the Middle Ages. 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.

The formation of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717 marks the beginning of the Modern (or "Speculative") era of Freemasonry, when members were no longer limited to actual working stonemasons. These "Accepted" Masons adopted more enlightened philosophies and turned what was a tradesmen's organization into a fraternity for moral edification, intellectual recitation, benevolent service, and gentlemanly socialization.

No organization can guarantee to make anyone great - the capacity and motivation must come from the individual - but the powerful values and important truths that are taught as part of the Masonic tradition have proven to inspire, challenge, and develop leadership in men. One of the founding fathers of the United States of America, Benjamin Franklin, may have said it best, describing the Fraternity as a place to "prepare himself."

The nature of Masonic ritual is both complex and beautiful. "Ritual" is a formal ceremony of initiation which recites certain tenets and truths that have been passed down for generations - mostly from mouth to ear. This "Ritual" takes the form of lectures and theater in the Lodge, and is used to teach new Masons the value of true friendship, the benefits of knowledge, and the necessity of helping those in need.

It speaks to the power and impacts our ritual has on men's hearts and minds because it has stood the test of time for more than 300 years. Although our world has changed dramatically during that time, our ritual is virtually the same.

Not everyone will want to learn the ancient ritual - as it takes great time and study - but those Masons who chose to learn it are rewarded with the satisfaction of upholding a great tradition and helping their fellow brothers further their Masonic understanding.

No. Masonic principles teach the value of relief - or charity - and Freemasons give more than $2 million A DAY, of which more than 70% of these donations support the general public. Among their works are the Shriners Hospitals for Children with 22 sites throughout North America. The primary philanthropy of Freemasonry in Saskatchewan is youth. Two of those sponsored are the Masonic Youth Leadership camp held annually at Wakaw Lake and various scholarships for students enrolled in post-secondary education. There are numerous other worthy causes and groups that local Lodges contribute to and help in their communities.

The best way to get information is to talk to a Mason - either in person or online. The "Find a Lodge Near You" feature has the name and contact information of a Brother for every lodge in Saskatchewan. He will answer your questions and provide you with additional information; and, if you would like, find a convenient time to meet, introduce you to some other members, and tour their building. You may have some of the same questions as those below - so take a look at the FAQ's.

It is quite possible you know a Mason, but you just don't realize it. If your father, uncles, or grandfathers aren't Masons, they probably know someone who is. You might also want to ask around your workplace or school, church, or gym - anywhere that you find a group of men, you might find a Mason. Although Masons tend to be very proud of their association with the Fraternity, they are often uncomfortable talking about it. It is particularly difficult for them to speak with their friends or family members because they don't want to push Masonry on them. They might very well be looking forward to the opportunity to speak with you; more importantly, they would be honored to sponsor you for membership.

If you don't know anyone who is a Mason and you are a complete stranger to all of the members of the Lodge, you are going to want to take some time getting to know them. But they are going to want to take some time getting to know you too. Once you are ready to ask, a member of the Lodge will sign your petition. Or contact the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan.

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 - when 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 Angels and Demon, The Da Vinci Code, and The Lost Symbol as well as movies like the "National Treasure" series 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.

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 libraries, 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."

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 and helps cultivate and promote better relationships and the bonds of friendships between 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 and youth. We sponsor and participate in Masonic-related organizations such as the Order of Eastern Star and Job’s Daughters, whose members include women and girls respectively. The organization for boys is called the DeMolay.

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.