Promoting the Fraternity across the World
Freemasonry consists of fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local fraternities of stonemasons, which from the end of the fourteenth century regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients. The degrees of freemasonry retain the three grades of medieval craft guilds, those of Apprentice, Journeyman or fellow (now called Fellowcraft), and Master Mason. These are the degrees offered by Craft (or Blue Lodge) Freemasonry. Members of these organisations are known as Freemasons or Masons. There are additional degrees, which vary with locality and jurisdiction, and are usually administered by different bodies than the craft degrees.
The basic, local organisational unit of Freemasonry is the Lodge. The Lodges are usually supervised and governed at the regional level (usually coterminous with either a state, province, or national border) by a Grand Lodge or Grand Orient. There is no international, world-wide Grand Lodge that supervises all of Freemasonry; each Grand Lodge is independent, and they do not necessarily recognise each other as being legitimate.
One of the many casualties of Covid-19 and the lockdown has been charitable organisations such as Freemasonry.With gatherings not permitted, the social aspect of such organisations was the first to be suspended, but the philanthropic work carries on. Ruapehu Masonic District Grand Master Ash Williamson says Freemasonry New Zealand responded immediately to the pandemic.
Donations from Lodge Members to the initiative, which was led by Bro Chris Fraser, totalled £1500 and one of Oriental Lodge’s younger members, Bro William Cheung, drove down to the Midlands to collect essential N95 masks. Lodge Secretary, WBro Kam Wah Mak, volunteered to distribute the masks to six Care Homes over the weekend, which were proposed by the Lodge members involved in the initiative..
Freemason Paul Leary and his wife Alison run Access Catering based in Leicestershire. Access Catering are the resident caterers at Syston Masonic hall, and during the current lockdown, period have been using existing facilities to provide meals for nurses and other NHS frontline workers at the three main Leicestershire hospitals. The head of Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons, Peter Kinder, was so impressed with Paul and Alison’s efforts, an emergency grant of £3,000 was made to keep their operation supplied with the necessary raw ingredients.
Rick was initiated into the London-based, Chelsea Lodge in 2008 becoming its Worshipful Master in 2014. The video below describes part of his journey into the fraternity and why he became a freemason.
Safeline, which helps and supports those affected by sexual abuse and rape, recently received a donation from the Order of Women Freemansons Lodge 159.
Since UGLE closed down masonic meetings until the lockdown is over and the nasty virus of Covid-19 is under some level of control. How does the fraternity of Freemasonry continue? Zoom meetings are becoming the way forward and Masonic brethren that usually tour Lodges and Chapters giving lectures now offering webinars to keep the Masonic spirit alive amongst the Brethern and Companions.
To all poor and distressed brethren, Wheresoever they may be, On the land, the sea or in the air. A speedy relief from their suffering, And a safe return…
During its early history in Australia, Freemasonry was not an egalitarian movement. Indeed, it can be argued that it was never designed to be egalitarian. Aside from its teachings, the greatest strength of Masonry has always been its mystique.
It is my task to review, or examine, with you the character of the mature mason. To do so we must first ask ourselves: What is maturity? No definition can better that of the dictionary — “the state of being, complete, perfect or ready.” Let us consider the aspect of completion
The group donated £2,200 to the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity for its Rory the Robot appeal, which is aiming to ensure all men in Worcester have the option to have their prostate cancer surgery via robot.