The Process

Requirements

Freemasonry’s Requirements for Membership

To be accepted into Freemasonry, there are a few “requirements.” To start, you need to fill out and file a petition that will be sent to the Lodge Secretary, pay the required fee, and attach a copy of your birth certificate. The petition has several yes-or-no questions that you need to answer truthfully. The big step will be to have 5 Masons recommend you to join the Craft, and you will need their authentic signatures. Typically, at Richardson Masonic Lodge, we prefer to meet an individual outside of lodge during one of our monthly social nights, in order to get to know him in a social setting. After a social function, and possibly meeting us at our Stated Meeting dinner, the individual can request a petition – but he should be the one asking.

As a general rule of thumb, if an individual does not know a Mason, it may take a month or two before a Mason is ready to put down his signature as a recommendation. On the other hand, if he knows a Mason or two before acquiring a petition, they can recommend their friend and help him gather the information required for the petition. It is all about a Mason being able to vouch for the candidate before signing.

Requirements of Candidates for Masonry

Unlike other fraternities, we look for two qualifications before a man sees the beautiful mysteries of Freemasonry: (1) internal and (2) external. The internal qualifications refer to his attitudes and motives for joining the Craft. The outside world may not know the truth of the internal, since it is known only to the individual, but he should have a true reason for joining. The external relies upon his moral and religious/spiritual integrity, his mind, and his social bearing. These are learned by getting to know the person through a careful examination by a special committee.

Internal Requirement of Freemasonry

The internal qualifications are shown to others when a man comes of his own free will and accord, from within his heart. Since Freemasonry does not solicit members, it is essential that joining be a journey the individual chooses for himself. To be able to wear the apron of a Freemason, he must look within his heart, and between himself and his Creator, his friends, and mankind, for his real motive.

External Requirements of Freemasonry

The external qualifications concern the moral, physical, intellectual, and “free born” nature of the individual. Based on the Charges of 1723, a Mason is obligated to “…never be a stupid atheist nor an irreligious libertine,” and we still hold these truths strongly. We welcome men of all faiths: Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and others, and every Mason believes in a Creator of the Universe. Every Mason is guided by his faith toward all of mankind, and the Craft helps bind these truths.

Since time immemorial, Freemasonry was based on Operative Masonry, but since Speculative Freemasonry evolved from it, we use the symbolism of the builders of cathedrals and temples. In the same way, we build our own spiritual edifice – the mind holding our moral compass. To fully comprehend this, a Freemason must understand symbolism and memorize particular and specific phrases.

Anyone can join who is not a slave or in servitude, which in ancient times left a man legally unable to bind himself to an organization. To allow peace and harmony to flourish, political and religious discussions are not permitted in lodge. We are supposed to “meet upon the level” as men of stature, and “part upon the square” peacefully.

Do you have what it takes?

Before you petition, make sure you qualify internally and externally to see the mysteries behind the doors of Freemasonry. We take our Craft seriously, but we thoroughly enjoy our fellowship. Our ceremonies aren’t for clowning around; they are meaningful and formally done. If you want something meaningful – then you have what it takes to join the Craft.