You have taken the first step! Learning about Freemasonry is the first step to becoming one.
In the Jurisdiction of Alberta the following criteria is required:
A Man, Freeborn, of Mature age, of Good Repute and Well Recommended - The applicant must be a man (Freemasonry is a fraternal organization) and be at least 21 years of age. He must be of good moral character and demonstrate responsibility in his family and work. To join a Lodge, a man needs to be sponsored by two Masons who belong to that Lodge.
Belief in a Supreme Being" - Freemasonry recognizes all religions and demands that any applicant for admission must believe in a Supreme Being. Religious issues or politics are not discussed while in Lodge.
Be Able to Support One's Self and Family - The applicant should be financially able to become (and remain) a Mason without being a burden to himself or to his family.
Come to Freemasonry of Your Own Free Will and Accord - Freemasonry does not "invite" men to become Masons, but provides information to applicants who must make the decision of whether to join or not.
Must have resided in Alberta for 1 year previous to the date of petition
Which Lodge should I join?
There are several Lodges in the Calgary area. If you know someone who already belongs to a Lodge, you may wish to ask them about Freemasonry. To Be One - Ask One If you are serious about joining a Masonic Lodge, we recommend that you check to see which Lodge may be better suited with regard to the location or day of the week that a particular Lodge may meet. Mosaic Lodge No. 176 meets on the second Wednesday of each month, except July and August and we would be honoured to meet and talk to you about Freemasonry. Want to find out more? Email [email protected]
Wish to join Mosaic Lodge No.176 - Here is the procedure.
Meet with Brethren of Mosaic Lodge No. 176
One of the criteria to join a Lodge is to be sponsored by two (2) members of the Lodge.
The first step to join is to meet with members of Mosaic Lodge in a very relaxed atmosphere. This allows you and possibly your spouse to meet and ask questions, learn about social and family events, meetings and cost.
Prospective candidates are invited to join us at social functions throughout the year and also to our Festive Board. This is a banquet usually held following a meeting. Non members are not entitled to attend the meeting itself, but by coming out to the Festive Board, the Prospect gets to meet some of the Members of the Lodge and in turn the Members get a chance to meet the Prospect.
If you make the decision that you are ready to join a Brotherhood of men with common interests and beliefs, then the next step begins.
The Application Process
A "Letter of Information" and an application form or "Petition," are completed by you and signed by two members of Mosaic Lodge.
The petition is presented in open Lodge and the Worshipful Master will form an "Investigating Committee" consisting of three members of the Lodge (not your sponsors), who will then make arrangements to meet with you and your spouse (if applicable). Though called an "Investigation Committee," and the Committee Members are required to ask several questions, this is really an informal get-together that allows you and your significant other to ask questions about the fraternity, and assure the Lodge that you are eligible to join and haven't been coerced to join.
Ballot information is printed in the Monthly Lodge Notice and distributed to all of the Members of Mosaic Lodge so that each Member has the opportunity to ballot on your petition at the next Regular meeting.
At the next Lodge meeting the "Investigating Committee" report their findings and if favourable, a secret ballot is held.
The Initiation Process
If the Ballot is a Favourable, the Worshipful Master will instruct the Secretary to advise the Applicant of the same, and the Applicant is required to present himself at the Lodge at a particular date and time for Initiation into the mysteries of Freemasonry.
The Candidate will then receive the three degrees of Masonry.
These degrees are steeped in history beginning with the first degree, the Entered Apprentice Degree, followed by the second degree, the Fellow Craft Degree, and finally the third degree, that being the Master Mason Degree.
The three degrees will take more than a year to complete
What is expected of a Prospective Member?
Time Commitment - the Prospective Member must make every effort to attend meetings and social functions. In Freemasonry we believe that the Family should be No. 1, Vocation is No. 2 and then if there is time for Freemasonry, then your attendance and due diligence is firmly recommended.
Financial Obligations - It is expected that a candidate for admission will meet his financial obligations.
Initiation Fees and Annual Dues can vary from Lodge to Lodge and are levied according to the cost of Aprons, Grand Lodge of Alberta and District Per Capita Fees and other costs associated with the candidates initiation into Freemasonry.
Annual Dues are levied according to the annual expenses of the Lodge to operate as well as Grand Lodge of Alberta and District Per Capita Fees.