Quote:
Originally posted by Tom Earp
Hm, it is my history, that you do not petition Free Masonary.
You are invited by a current member who has observed you.
You may show interest by asking a Mason and showing your interest.
They will then make The Decision whether to ask you to be indoctrinated.
From a 32 Degree Mason.
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Brother Tom... remember that you petition to the Fraternity of Freemasonry "of your own free will and accord, uninfuenced by mercenary motives". It is by a vote of the lodge assembled after an investigating committee makes its favorable (or unfavorable) report. The application for membership (at least here in Texas) is titled "Petition for the Mysteries of Freemasonry".
AXOJen is correct regarding the position regarding Roman Catholics to become Masons. I oughta know... I am a baptized but not a practicing Roman Catholic.
For Draculapkt1906: Generally, most Masonic lodges meet once or twice a month, with degree work or practice held on 'off' meeting nights. After your petition is approved and you have been initiated an Entered Apprentice, you will be paired off with a brother who is certified to instruct the Masonic ritual. Some Grand Lodges will allow you to use a ciphered ritual book for you to help remember the work, others (including Oklahoma and Texas, to which I belong; I am a dual member) prohibit the use of them, relying strictly on 'mouth to ear' instruction. You'll probably be meeting with him once or twice a week for maybe an hour or so, then when he feels you are ready to advance, you will be examined in lodge as to your proficiency. If the lodge feels you have made 'suitable proficiency' in the degree work (it doesn't have to be letter-perfect), they will vote to declare you proficient and pass you to the degree of Fellowcraft.
Again, you will be paired off with your instructor and learn the Fellowcraft degree lecture, and the proficiency examination follows the same as the Entered Apprentice. Finally, you will be raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason, and entitled to wear the Square and Compasses. Some Grand Lodges will require a proficiency exam in the Master Mason degree lecture before you may join the appendant bodies of Freemasonry (Scottish Rite, York Rite, Shriners and Eastern Star). Most will complete the requirement of all three degrees in about 3-4 months.
Good luck petitioning the Lodge; if you have any additional questions, please feel free to PM me.