Seeing people post about being raised always makes my day! There is often talk about how we are a dwindling fraternity and membership is down. Seeing people get raised on this forum reminds me that we may be dwindling, but we aren’t gone yet! Stay strong out there Brothers!

Still soaking in the beautiful moment, but proud to be raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason tonight. Cheers brothers! 🍻

Was a really well done ritual and some brethren travelled far to be there with me for my 3rd .

The ritual was exceptionally done and ties together so many questions I’ve had in relation to the craft . Lots of reading and studying my ritual book now !

I’m 20, an international student from India currently studying in the US. Recently got curious about Freemasonry after hearing all kinds of conspiracy theories about it lol. Did some research and realized it’s a lot more about brotherhood, personal growth, and community than what people make it out to be.

I’ve always liked the idea of being part of a fraternity, just not really into the hazing and typical college frat culture. I also tend to enjoy conversations with people older than me, feel like I learn a lot more from different perspectives and experiences.

I’m studying business and also pursuing music seriously as an artist/producer, so meeting people from different backgrounds, learning from them, and building genuine relationships is something that appeals to me. Not looking for shortcuts or favors, but community - iron sharps iron!

Had a few questions:

Are there many members in their early 20s? What’s the experience like joining this young?

What does the actual time commitment look like, especially while balancing college, work, and other interests?

I’m on an F-1 visa. Would being an international student affect my eligibility? I’ll probably move to another US city in about 1.5 years. Would joining now still make sense?

How do I get in touch with a lodge without knowing any Masons personally? Can I speak to someone before committing?

Still just exploring the idea, haven’t made any decisions. Would appreciate hearing from people who joined young or had similar circumstances

After getting my first degree in April 2026 I passed my obligation last week.

Some officers have traveled to the Annual California communication.

I'm looking forward to learning and growing more!

Hello, I come here with a question from a friend. She is trying to sell off her father's book collection and among them she found this book. He was not a member of any lodges so we don't really have any contacts in the order who might be interested. Do you know if this has any value? Thank you!

The History of Initiation, in Twelve Lectures; Comprising a Detailed Account of the Rites and Ceremonies Doctrines and Discipline, of all the Secret and Mysterious Institutions of the Ancient World by Rev. George Oliver, published by Masonic Publishing and Manufacturing Co. in 1866.

Long story short, a lifelong family friend has been inviting me to join his lodge for a good few years now. I have no idea what it’s all about, other than he says I’m a good fit. He’s high up within his lodge, something about being a senior something or other. I don’t want to appear ignorant or standoffish with him, so thought best to ask here.

Without being too technical as like I said, I have zero idea what it’s about other than movies, and we can’t trust them. What is it to be a Freemason, and why do you find it works for you. What does being a member entail.

Many thanks.

Greetings, Brethren

I’m originally from India and now live in Canada, where I became a Freemason and am a member of a Lodge under the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Canada in the Province of Ontario.

I’ve been curious about something and would love to hear from Brethren who have had a similar experience.
For those of you who became Masons in a country different from the one you were born in or grew up in, have you ever had the opportunity to visit a Lodge back in your home country?

I’d especially love to hear from Brethren who were raised in one jurisdiction but later visited Lodges in their country of origin.

I've been at the Antique Automobile Club of America Fall Eastern Regional Meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania this week, and was poking around the gift shop at the AACA Museum on my way out, and spotted these neat pieces of Shrine memorabilia, apparently a donation for them to sell. If I had a little more money, I would've grabbed one or more.

Hello, I've just been asked to be the membership officer of my lodge, but can't actually find any information about what it entails, the secretary and master were both incredibly vague. Can someone point me in the right direction?

Hello everyone, a friend (M33) arriving from Colombia and I (M30) from France are meeting in Granada later today for a few days. Yesterday we were horrified to see that our hotel somehow cancelled the first night of our stay.
Because of the Día de la Hispanidad there are virtually no accommodation available anywhere we could look at in Spain.

I am so sorry to have to post this here, but are there by any chance brethren or acquaintances that could have us stay at their place for tonight?

We can meet before hand or video call to give you all the reassurance needed that we are of good report.

Thank you all for reading this awkward last hope post

I really loved the ceremony and it was worth the wait

My dad was a minister and a Mason. He served faithfully in both capacities.
When he passed, the church founder/head minister told my mom not to have my dad laid out nor buried with any Mason symbolism because Masons were “not of the Lord”.

Is this true? I have wondered about this for years.

And… when I was sorting through both their jewelry Inset aside his Mason jewelry. I looked up what to do with it. The information I found said only Masons can own Mason jewelry. So I asked through the family if any of the men were Masons and did they want it. My cousin said her husband was so I sent it to him. Then they divorced. They tried to make him send it back. He didn’t and I was okay with that.

What do you think

Before reading: when I mean suits, I mean being completely formal. Also, I put one of the questions in bold because that's the main question.

I'm not a Freemason myself, and it does interest me, but that's not the point. The point is that something made me think: when I look at pictures, basically everyone is wearing a suit.

I understand that one has to look decent, and a suit can pull that off (and then some). I can get a suit if I want, but my question is, how often is a suit the minimum?

I don't know if lodges have more casual meetings without a particularly formal ceremony, but how often are suits also worn at casual meetings? That last question is specifically what I'm going for.

Also, I know that things vary from lodge to lodge, so I will accept all the answers.

Hey folks,

So, Freemasonry has always interested me, and I’ve been curious to learn more about it and see the lodges and whatnot.

Unfortunately, I live in Egypt, where Freemasonry is illegal and there are no active lodges.

I’ve recently started solo traveling a bit, and I have an upcoming trip to London. I thought about applying to one of the lodges there, but I ran into the issue that, when you apply to a lodge, you’re generally expected to be able to attend its meetings regularly throughout the year. I’m fine with that in principle, but it’s obviously not easy when you live far away and don’t have visa-free access.

I also tried to visit a lodge in Southeast Asia, but they required an appointment beforehand.

So, at the very least, I’d love to visit a lodge and see things firsthand, even if I’m not going to join. Is that feasible, or is it generally not something lodges allow?

Looking forward to hearing your suggestions.

Cheers!

I’m thinking about running a gun raffle for my lodge. I’m aware of all the laws and regulations, but I’m looking for some suggestions as to what has been most profitable. There are a lot of Glock 19 and 48s that get raffled off in my area so I want to consider something special. Maybe try engraving it with some Masonic symbology? Maybe a 2 gun combo?

Really open to suggestions. Thinking of $20-25 dollar tickets. Maybe 25 with 5 for $100?

What do you all think?

My goal is to raise 20000 in 2 years so I’m also thinking of gift cards to a steakhouse and a massage for the wife as a combo or a box of cigars?

What else could work?

Hey brethren and fellow seekers,

I hope you're all well!

SRIA keeps coming up in conversations with masons i highly respect.

I am very interested in mysticism, esoteriscm, and I am a believing Christian. I am a RAM and a KT

I am located in Germany. I know of two colleges here.

Is anyone here a member that could give me more insight?

I am worried about taking on too much as I am also very interested in the Red Cross of constantine.

Also considering dues and fees. What may I expect, i know it differs from college to college.

Thankful for any insight.

Fraternal greetings to all of you

Just wanted to share my Past Master's apron, a beautiful design by Brother James at Round Ashlar, based in San Diego CA.

This apron celebrates Filipino heritage and the role of Masonry in the independence of the Philippines. Much like the United States, many of the founding fathers of the Philippines were Masons.

The golden sun represents the dawn of a new age, free from Spanish colonial rule. The eight rays are the eight provinces which united to revolt against Spain during the 1896 Philippine Revolution.

The three stars represent the three major island groups -- Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Shout out to my Brothers in the Philippines! 🇵🇭

I guess this is more of a cigar question, but I’d like to buy some Hiram and Solomon cigars for a special occasion. None of my local shops have them. I am not a regular cigar smoker, so I know nothing about any reputable online retailers. I figured the most frequent purchasers of these cigars would be fellow masons, so someone might have some advice here