What is Freemasonry?
There is a lot to read here! But its worth it so get a cuppa ready.
What is Freemasonry &
How can I become a Mason?
To become a Freemason you must:
Be a man of at least 21 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
TO PURSUE YOUR INTEREST IN BECOMING A MEMBER follow these steps:
Talk with someone you know who is a Freemason
If you do not know anyone who is a Mason, contact 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.
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
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.
The cornerstone upon which Freemasonry rests is that of Brotherly love, relief and truth. Put in more practical terms what does this mean?
Brotherly love – consideration and concern for the welfare of likeminded 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 endeavours, 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 Freemason’s 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.
What is Freemasonry &
How can I become a Mason?
To become a Freemason you must:
Be a man of at least 21 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
TO PURSUE YOUR INTEREST IN BECOMING A MEMBER follow these steps:
Talk with someone you know who is a Freemason
If you do not know anyone who is a Mason, contact 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.
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
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.
The cornerstone upon which Freemasonry rests is that of Brotherly love, relief and truth. Put in more practical terms what does this mean?
Brotherly love – consideration and concern for the welfare of likeminded 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 endeavours, 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 Freemason’s 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.
If you wish to find out more about Freemasonry please visit the United Grand Lodge of England Website.
Copyright 2006 - Webmaster, Pontefract Masonic Hall Company Ltd - Please Note, Views expressed on this website are those not necessarily those of The Pontefract Masonic Hall Company Ltd
Is there a myth about Freemasons! Where does the money go that we raise?
Eventually some of the money we raise goes to the Grand Charity or our own Provincial Charity these include,
SUPPORT FOR LOCAL HOSPICES AND LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS
The hospices in Yorkshire that benefited from these grants are:
Barnsley Hospice £1,700
Kirkwood Hospice £2,000
Manorlands Sue Ryder Home £3,000
Marie Curie Centre Bradford £3,000
Martin House Children’s Hospice £2,000
Overgate Hospice £2,000
Prince of Wales Hospice £2,000
Rotherham Hospice £1,700
St Gemma’s Hospice £5,000
St Luke’s Hospice £5,000
St Michael’s Hospice £2,000
Wakefield Hospice £2,900
Wheatfields Hospice £3,000
Freemasons have supported hospice services, and their work to offer the best possible quality of life to individuals during the final stages of incurable illness for a considerable number of years. We of course give money direct to local causes from our own lodges as well, but usuually not the large amounts listed above.
During the last 21 years the total financial support for the hospice movement from The Grand Charity is nearly £6 million. The grants from The Grand Charity make an important contribution to the millions of pounds needed each and every year to enable hospices to continue their valuable work.
We also help National and International requests for financial aid.
Three of the most publicised which you will recognise being the Tsunami in 2004, when £560,000 was sent to help effected survivors; the London bombings, when £50,000 was immediately donated for victims whose lives had been
severely disrupted and £100,000 to the British Red Cross to assist the victims of the earthquake in Pakistan.
As you can see from the above, the money that we collect goes into a very large pot to help people less fortunate than ourselves.
Eventually some of the money we raise goes to the Grand Charity or our own Provincial Charity these include,
SUPPORT FOR LOCAL HOSPICES AND LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS
The hospices in Yorkshire that benefited from these grants are:
Barnsley Hospice £1,700
Kirkwood Hospice £2,000
Manorlands Sue Ryder Home £3,000
Marie Curie Centre Bradford £3,000
Martin House Children’s Hospice £2,000
Overgate Hospice £2,000
Prince of Wales Hospice £2,000
Rotherham Hospice £1,700
St Gemma’s Hospice £5,000
St Luke’s Hospice £5,000
St Michael’s Hospice £2,000
Wakefield Hospice £2,900
Wheatfields Hospice £3,000
Freemasons have supported hospice services, and their work to offer the best possible quality of life to individuals during the final stages of incurable illness for a considerable number of years. We of course give money direct to local causes from our own lodges as well, but usuually not the large amounts listed above.
During the last 21 years the total financial support for the hospice movement from The Grand Charity is nearly £6 million. The grants from The Grand Charity make an important contribution to the millions of pounds needed each and every year to enable hospices to continue their valuable work.
We also help National and International requests for financial aid.
Three of the most publicised which you will recognise being the Tsunami in 2004, when £560,000 was sent to help effected survivors; the London bombings, when £50,000 was immediately donated for victims whose lives had been
severely disrupted and £100,000 to the British Red Cross to assist the victims of the earthquake in Pakistan.
As you can see from the above, the money that we collect goes into a very large pot to help people less fortunate than ourselves.
Downloadable Information
What Is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry And Religion
Regular Freemasonry And Public Affairs
Freemasonry And Society
What Is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry And Religion
Regular Freemasonry And Public Affairs
Freemasonry And Society
Adobe Acrobat Reader Required
Our Ceremonies
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.
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.
If you are interested in becoming a Freemason please ask.
If you are interested in becoming a Freemason please ask.
The Forget Me Knot Lapel Pin Badge - Pictured Top left
Was a symbol worn instead of the square and compass in Germany during Hitler’s rein of power. In secret Oppressed Masons devised this symbol to allow them to identify each other and at the same time to keep the Nazi’s from readily identifying them. As Masons were one of the more despised groups (by Nazi’s) because of their thoughts and ideas on independence and individual freedom.
Many Masons died in the concentration camps and labour camps of Nazi Germany, for the simple fact that they were masons.
Many more fought proudly and vigorously and gave their lives to over throw these dark people in this dark period of history.
This small pin is a very simple monument to their suffering and triumphs, and is worn proudly by masons now to impress upon there memory, the valuable contributions of masons past, and to remind them that it is their responsibility to carry on that tradition of freedom and independence, and leave the next generation the same as we have ourselves. All that and more is in this little blue pin, only ¼” across, and full of detail.
To purchase a Forget Me Knot @ £3 inc P&P or two for £5 please click here All profits are donated to Masonic Charities
Was a symbol worn instead of the square and compass in Germany during Hitler’s rein of power. In secret Oppressed Masons devised this symbol to allow them to identify each other and at the same time to keep the Nazi’s from readily identifying them. As Masons were one of the more despised groups (by Nazi’s) because of their thoughts and ideas on independence and individual freedom.
Many Masons died in the concentration camps and labour camps of Nazi Germany, for the simple fact that they were masons.
Many more fought proudly and vigorously and gave their lives to over throw these dark people in this dark period of history.
This small pin is a very simple monument to their suffering and triumphs, and is worn proudly by masons now to impress upon there memory, the valuable contributions of masons past, and to remind them that it is their responsibility to carry on that tradition of freedom and independence, and leave the next generation the same as we have ourselves. All that and more is in this little blue pin, only ¼” across, and full of detail.
To purchase a Forget Me Knot @ £3 inc P&P or two for £5 please click here All profits are donated to Masonic Charities
Masonic Trolley Coin - Get your shopping Trolley the Square and Compass Way?? £1.50 each inc P&P
click here All profits are donated to Charity
click here All profits are donated to Charity
Would you like to see a video of what we do?
The link is to a video Produced by the Province Of Yorkshire West Riding. It is a view of Freemasonry and is a 5.63MB file it should only take a minute or so to download if you have broadband. The Video lasts 22.28 minutes in total. Hope you enjoy the experience. Click Here to download A View of Freemasonry.
Real Player is required.
The link is to a video Produced by the Province Of Yorkshire West Riding. It is a view of Freemasonry and is a 5.63MB file it should only take a minute or so to download if you have broadband. The Video lasts 22.28 minutes in total. Hope you enjoy the experience. Click Here to download A View of Freemasonry.
Real Player is required.
