What is Freemasonry
and why to join? This is one of the first questions that you’ll ever get when
you will tell your friends or family that you are one. In simple terms there is
not a one straight answer.
UGLE, United Grand
Lodge of England (the governing organ of the entire worldwide organisation) is
saying that is a membership open to any man over the age of 21 irrespective of
their race or religion. In total, there are more than 7,000 Lodges, with
students over 18 able to join one of the 85 University Scheme Lodges. Of
course, this is also an organisation open to women and they are invited to join
one of two female-only Grand Lodges: The Order of Women Freemasons and the
Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons.
However why would you join? Ask any of the
brethren in any Lodge and you will get a diversity of answer also because of
the vast diversity of people that are part of a lodge. From that you might get
confusion or self interest however this is because there are so many reasons to
join.
The three-basic
principle of the “Craft” (this is what is called the main order in Freemasonry)
are Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
Brotherly love is
what every brethren get to understand once made a member. Masonry, and St
Ambrose Lodge, are a brotherhood in which every member, once admitted, is part
of the family. Exactly like a family you’ll learn to appreciate each other for
each every aspect of each other character. The members of St Ambrose are coming
from many different walk of life: airplane pilot, lawyers, police officers, PR
Consultant, entrepreneur, tradesmen, train conductor and many more.
Relief, or what is
more commonly referred to as Charity. This is one of the most important part of
a freemason and St Ambrose members lives. The whole concept of freemason is a
self-improvement and part of being a better person is also include being better
and charitable with others. Freemason in London collect every year more than
£30 million. Those contribution comes from the more than 6000 lodges and St
Ambrose is one of those. We personally collect over thousands of pounds every
year and this all comes from the good heart and generosity of the brethren
member. Every year we participate in one or two main projects while we steadily
contribute into few other charities that are close to our member hearts.
Truth is the most
interesting part of being freemason.
Members generally joining a lodge in their 20’s or 30’s. The reason for
it is because this is the age when a man realise the full extent of its
potential and want to exploit and keep improving them. Being a brother often
fill that gap and make sure that. St Ambrose is part of what is called a Taylor
Ritual. The rituals are written in a book and in this there are passages.
Mostly related to ancient scriptures but they are beautifully collected to
resemble our present, using our past to build a better future. By following the
rituals and memorising them a brother make those teachings his own and like a
map guide the individual into an enlighten of the mind.
In conclusion the
“why” is the big questions that you might want to ask us and we at St Ambrose
are more than welcome to give you our own why. The real answer, the one that
you are looking for, you are the only person that can find that answer. Joining Freemasonry is a
journey. It start with joining and with the help, company and assistance of the
other brethren where it will lead you is only limited by your imagination. If
you would like to join St Ambrose please be in touch and we would be glad to be
your companion in that journey.
