Becoming a Freemason
Be a man of at least 18 years of age
If you are a Woman interested in Freemasonry then Click here
Be of good moral character
Have a personal belief in a Supreme Being
(the definition of a Supreme Being is a personal matter for each individual)
Decide to become a Mason of “your own free will and accord” without expectation of any material gain or benefits
Be loyal to your country
Be dedicated to providing for your own family
Have a sincere determination to conduct yourself in a manner that will earn the respect and trust of others
Possess a desire to help others through community service and universal benevolence 1818
“Freemasonry, proud of it’s philosophy & practice of making “Good Men Better”.
If you know someone who is a Freemason, talk to him about your interest, he will welcome the conversation.
If you do not know anyone who is a Mason, contact us (simply fill in the form below, we will reply to your interest) or a Lodge in your local area as Masons do not solicit for members. You’ll need to express your personal interest in joining Freemasonry.
You may be invited to meet with the Lodge Committee or selected Members to discuss your application and to answer your questions, this could be at the Masonic Hall, your own home or a members home or at a local pub or restaurant.
Subject to you being considered eligible and properly motivated you will be asked to complete an application for membership and return it to your local Lodge Secretary via your proposer.
Your application will be presented to a Lodge Meeting and a secret ballot conducted in which Members vote on your suitability. You will be notified of the result and invited to attend a Lodge Meeting for your initiation into Membership.
Freemasonry can take up a lot of your social time, therefore picking a night to attend a Lodge that suits you rather than the Lodge is of the greatest importance. There is no point in joining a Lodge if you are not able to get the full benefit of your subscription, this will include practice nights, Lodge nights and social events. Also include travel time, there are Lodges spread all over the country, if you are reading this from out of the Pontefract area there may be a Lodge closer to your home you may wish to consider joining, There are also Lodges that meet during the day time, we can and will put you in touch with the right people.
Interested please take time to watch a few videos
Brotherly love – consideration and concern for the welfare of like minded people and those for whom they hold responsibilities. Partners and families are the obvious ones but this can spread out into the community and places where people live and work.
Relief – awareness that your fellow man is not always successful in his endeavors, be it caused by a disaster as devastating as the Tsunami, which affects many, or as small as some misfortune which prevents an individual continuing to support himself and his family, whether temporarily or permanently. Whilst the method of handling such diverse instances may be different, it is the commitment of every Freemason that, as part of his life and membership of the Craft, he will continue to give whatever support he is able in the form of charitable giving. However, not all relief is about money. Freemasons also give of their time and effort in serving their community in a voluntary capacity, be it on hospital advisory boards, as school governors, helping youth groups etc., It is this spirit, this willingness to help another, which is central to the importance of a Freemasons membership.
Truth – It goes without saying that the basis of a stable society is one which is based on truth and respect for another’s point of view. This does not mean we cannot disagree, but rather than be confrontational about conflicting opinions, we seek to work together to gain better understanding of each other. The one truth we all share, irrespective of our personal religion or cultural background is the belief in a Supreme Being.
The ceremonies Freemasons practice in their lodges are referred to as rituals. Rituals are not peculiar to Freemasonry – they occur all around us in everyday life. Everything from handshakes to applause, from University graduation ceremonies to singing the national anthem at a football match can be considered rituals.
Rituals reinforce spiritual or social bonds through repetition and widespread use. Rituals transmit common experiences across time and connect modern society with the past. They often tell a story, give a message or simply re enforce the bonds between people.
Churches, Courtrooms, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, Weddings, Funerals, The Armed Forces Parades like Trooping the colour, Even Singing Happy Birthday, all use rituals that have been developed over the years. Freemasonry is no different.
Rituals like Baptism, Weddings or Funerals have an especially powerful effect on people. They imply the beginning or end of a physical or spiritual journey.
The Rituals in Freemasonry connect Freemasons down through the centuries, and knowing you’re going through the same experience that millions of other men around the world have gone through for hundreds of years is really quite mind blowing.