It is easier then you think!

The steps to becoming a FreeMason…..You will need this PETITION.

(1) What are the requirements for becoming a Mason?

Candidates must be male, at least 18 years of age

(2) I have a physical disability. Can I be a Mason?

The answer is almost certainly yes, provided you can attend Lodge (and meet the non-physical criteria in question (1) of this
section). Paraplegics have been made Masons, as have the blind, the deaf, and others with a variety of physical handicaps. Minor
modifications may need to be done to the rituals (e.g., employing sign language, modifying points where the candidate stands if
the candidate is in a wheelchair, etc.) but most Lodges are willing to accommodate candidates. In medieval times, the requirement
to have a sound body free of physical defect was a serious one, since the work of stonemasonry was physically difficult. Some
Grand Lodges did carry this requirement into symbolic (i.e.,non-operative) Masonry. However, in recent times this has all but
been eliminated. Talk to your local Lodge if you have any questions.

(3) Can atheists be a Mason?

NO. The only religious requirement is that candidates believe in the Supreme Being. If you can in good faith profess a belief in
the Supreme Being, you are eligible to be a Mason. No atheists will ever knowingly be made a Mason. There are Christian
(Catholic, Protestant, Mormon), Jewish, and Muslim Masons. It would be tedious and pointless to go into a religion-by-religion
(and then denomination-by-denomination) discussion. The key points to remember are the requirement of belief in the Supreme Being
and the fact that Masonry is a fraternity, not a religion.

(4) Do I have to be invited?

Don’t wait to be invited— you will die waiting! Masons are prohibited from actively recruiting or asking non-Masons to join the
fraternity, to insure that candidates come of their own free will. As with many things Masonic, there are some exceptions to this
rule. Some Grand Lodges allow solicitation, provided it is low-key and with the strict provision that no pressure be applied.
Still, you don’t *need* to be invited in any jurisdiction, and if you’re interested, act.

(5) How much does it cost?

The average cost to join is around $150 and after that the average lodge dues are $90/year. This will vary slightly from lodge to
lodge.

(6) OK, I’m interested– how do I proceed?

If you know a Mason, ask him about membership, or contact us. He will be glad to tell you all about the Craft and the local lodge, and give you a petition if you wish to join. If you do not know a mason, use the contact form here and someone will contact you shortly.

Typically, the process is as follows:

(A) the applicant fills out a petition. The petition asks for two sponsors, though if you meet and talk with the officers, they
can usually find sponsors or act as sponsors themselves if you do not know anyone in the lodge.

(B) the petition is read at the lodge during the next business meeting, which for many lodges is during the first week of the
month. A committee is formed to investigate the candidate.

(C) the committee meets with the candidate to answer questions, ascertain that he meets the criteria for membership, and find out
a little about him. This is not a “grilling session”, but rather a friendly and casual chat to make certain that the candidate
has been properly informed about Masonry and that was not improperly solicited. The committee also contacts the character
references listed on the petition (typically asking if they know any reason why the candidate should not be accepted, etc.)

(D) The committee reports back to the lodge during the next business meeting and the candidate is voted on. If accepted, someone
from the lodge (often the Secretary) contacts the candidate and informs him that he has been accepted and schedules a date for
the Entered Apprentice degree.