When your Husband or Father is a Mason







At the turn of the century, almost every man's father was a Mason. As was his father before him. And his before that. This tradition can be traced all the way back to the Middle Ages.





One thing is for sure, not because they don't want to share their love of the fraternity with you or that they weren't very, very hopeful you would join. There's a strong tradition in the Fraternity that we don't ask people to join. You have to ask to join.

It's part of a Mason's obligation that he can't ask you to become a member. In keeping this promise to the Fraternity, sometimes that gets carried a little too far.

The practice of not speaking about Freemasonry is really more tradition than any attempt to keep anyone from learning about Freemasonry. Masons once treated Masonry as a secret society - it was the popular thing to do. The Secrets were simply ritualistic, of course, but it did mean that a man had to learn about Masonry by growing up with it.

But it's a rare Mason who does not hope in his heart that his sons will join the Craft.

You see, there's a special bonding among Masons -- a special feeling which comes from having shared the same deeply moving experiences, honoring the same ideals of truth and charity and brotherly love. It's a good feeling, and when that feeling is added to those which naturally exist between father and son -- well, those of us who have been there can tell you there's nothing like it!

And that's true of Masons who move from one town to another and for those who don't visit a lodge for years at a time. Masonry isn't something which happens in the lodge -- it happens in the heart.

That's why the tradition of joining Freemasonry runs so strongly in millions of families.

Unfortunately, in these modern times, there's often a time or communications gap between father and sons that's hard to bridge. Many fathers find it hard to be with and to talk to their sons, much as they would like to. Freemasonry bridges that gap by bringing fathers and sons together in the Fraternity and through shared experiences and shared values.


There are organizations for adult women including Eastern Star - a world class organization for women to which Masons may also be members.



He'll be happy to get you a petition. Or surprise him; find another Mason, submit the petition, and then let your father know what night you're to receive the First Degree.

It's something for the whole family.


Copies are available from the Grand Lodge office.
