Family of
Freemasonry in Ontario
for Everyone
FREEMASONRY
The
world’s oldest and largest fraternal organization. Today, there are more
than four million Masons worldwide, and some two million in North America.
They come from every walk of life, from many religions and many diverse
ideologies. All believe in the existence of a Supreme Being and meet as
friends and brothers, in peace and harmony. This is one of the great
fascinations of Masonry and one of its great strengths.
What is Freemasonry?
Dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man, Freemasonry's singular purpose is to
make good men better. Not better than someone else, bur better within
themselves. Masonry teaches that each person has an obligation to make a
difference for good.
Freemasonry is kindness in the home, honesty in business,
courtesy in society, fairness in work, concern for the unfortunate and
respect for one another.
FREEMASONRY IS A WAY OF
LIFE.
Is
Masonry a secret society?
No! It
does have some modes of recognition, but most Masons do not hide their
membership, or where and when they meet.
What else?
Masonry's strength is in helping people. Every day in North America,
Masons donate over two million dollars to charitable causes.
In Ontario the Masonic Family donates in excess of three million
dollars annually.
This is the commitment to humanity that Masons hold so dear. Most of this
funding goes to those who are not Masons.
Shriners operate the largest network of hospitals in North America for
burned and orthopaedically impaired children, free of charge. The Scottish
Rite Masons maintain a network of some 150 Childhood Language Disorder
Clinics, Centres, and Programmes.
Other members of the Masonic Family sponsor a variety of philanthropies,
including scholarship and bursary programmes. Masons perform a variety of
public service activities in their community.
The
Masonic Family
The foundation of the Masonic Family is the Masonic Lodge. It is
here that Masonry teaches its lessons.
In Ontario, there are approximately 64,000 Masons, belonging to
some 630 Lodges, in 46 Districts, governed by a Grand Lodge, having its
headquarters in Hamilton.
All applicants must come of their own free will. They must ask a
Mason about joining, or as we say,
TO BE ONE - ASK ONE
There is no higher degree in Freemasonry than that of
Master Mason. When a man has achieved that status he can broaden his
Masonic horizons by participation in other branches of the Masonic Family,
such as; Scottish Rite, York Rite and the Shrine.
SCOTTISH RITE
FREEMASONRY
For over
two centuries the Scottish Rite has been the medium for many Master Masons
to reflect on their understanding of their relationship in their faith, to
their fellow man and themselves. It enables Master Masons to add to their
Masonic knowledge and to witness colourful Scottish Rite 'degrees' which
are dramatic presentations portraying the philosophy of Freemasonry.
The
Scottish Rite (ritual) delves further into Masonic teachings and is meant
to provide more insight into living a more meaningful way of life for a
Master Mason and his family. It also includes enjoying the friendships
and association with a larger and wider cross-section of like-minded men
and their families.
In
Canada the Scottish Rite, through their Scottish Rite Charitable
Foundation, provides generous research grants and bursaries toward the
finding of causes, prevention and treatment of all forms of dementia and
mental incapacities including Alzheimers Disease.
YORK RITE FREEMASONRY
The York
Rite gives an elaboration on the teachings of the Masonic Lodge.
This Rite is divided into several bodies including the Holy Royal Arch,
and the Preceptory.
The Holy
Royal Arch
On your journey through the three degrees of Masonry, you would
have learned the proficiency lecture for each degree Many questions would
have arisen concerning the meaning of the ceremonies, the historical
implications and the 'why' of the legends of Freemasonry. Most students
of Freemasonry agree that the story of the Craft as presented in the three
degrees is incomplete and that the degrees offered in the Holy Royal Arch
of the York Rite of Freemasonry complete the story and answer many of the
questions in the mind of the newly made Master Mason.
In the
Holy Royal Arch of Jerusalem is found the essentials of symbolism and
philosophy necessary for a Master Mason to understand that which he has
received.
THE
SHRINERS
The
Shriners are known for their colourful parades, circuses and clowns. But
there is also a serious side to this international fraternity of
approximately 500,000 men belonging to 191 Shrine Centres, throughout
North America. For over 80 years, the Shrine has operated a network of
specialized hospitals that treat children with orthopaedic problems, burns
and spinal cord injuries, up to their 18th birthday, at no cost to them.
The
Shrine was founded in 1872 by a group of 13 men belonging to the Masonic
Order. It was originally established to provide fun and fellowship for its
members. But as the organization grew, its members decided to dedicate
their efforts to helping others by establishing an official Shrine
philanthropy — a network of 22 specialized hospitals that have provided
expert medical care to more than 600,000 children.
Since
the first Shriners' Hospital opened in 1922, the Shrine has supported what
has come to be known as:
the
"World's Greatest Philanthropy".
The
best-known symbol of Shrinedom is the distinctive red Fez that Shriners
wear at official functions. Because Shriners are men who enjoy life, fun
is a large part of the Shrine and the activities that help support the
Shrine's philanthropy. Most Shrine Centres sponsor Shrine clubs and
special units, such as the motor corps, band or clown units and many other
units of interest. They share in the camaraderie, deep friendships and
good fellowship that are all part of being a Mason and a Shriner.
THE
TEMPLARS
The
Knights Templar is an Order formed in 1118. Their mission was to protect
travellers on the roads to the Holy Land. In short order the Templars
blossomed to a very large organization.
Their
mission today is to enhance the Masonic virtues of faith, hope and
charity, supported by wisdom, strength and beauty, adding the chivalric
principles of-the Crusades of honour, duty and courage, so that the
results will be in harmony with our Masonic beliefs.
For Other Family Members
The
Masonic Family also includes many bodies where other family members can
participate, such as:
