Freemasonry is the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was established in 1733 and is the third oldest Grand Lodge in the world. Today, there are over 50,000 Freemasons in Massachusetts that meet in more than 275 individual Lodges in cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth. Grand Master Richard J. Stewart is the latest in a succession of distinguished Massachusetts Freemasons to hold that office. Previous Grand Masters include Revolutionary War patriots Paul Revere and General Joseph Warren.

Freemasons in North America contribute more than $2,000,000 each day to charity. Freemasons operate the Shriners Burns Hospital in Boston where more than 750 severely burned children are admitted each year and treated at no charge. Some 3,700 children are treated each year in the hospital’s clinic, again at no charge. Freemasons also operate the Shriners Orthopedic Hospital in Springfield where children are treated at no charge. Freemasons are responsible for collecting more than 80% of the blood collected by the Red Cross in Massachusettsmore than 20,000 pints annually. They also provide more than $200,000 in scholarship assistance annually.

Freemasonry (often simplified to “Masonry”) enhances and strengthens the character of the individual man by providing opportunities for fellowship, charity, education, and leadership based on the three ancient Masonic tenets: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. The Massachusetts Grand Lodge is a crowning legacy of this venerable heritage as we strive to “make good men better.”


Fellowship
By attending Masonic Lodge meetings and learning from your fellow Masons, you’ll strengthen the bonds of fellowship as you join together with like-minded men who share ideals of both a moral and metaphysical nature. You’ll enjoy the friendship of other Masons in the community, and you’ll be welcomed as a “brother” by Masons everywhere in the world. Freemasonry also promises that should you ever be overtaken by misfortune, sickness, or adversity through no fault of your own, the hands of our great fraternity will be stretched forth to aid and assist you.

Charity
From its earliest days, charity has been the most visible Masonic activity. Freemasons have always been devoted to caring for disadvantaged children, the sick and the elderly. In fact, Masons in North America give away approximately $3 million to national and local charities each day, of which more than 70% is directed toward the general public. Masons are also actively involved in a great deal of community volunteer work.

Education
The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts has advocated the education of its members since its earliest years. Its ceremonies provide instruction to all members, supplemented by various other activities such as seminars, lectures, workshops, and reading. Because Freemasonry is an esoteric society, certain aspects of its work are not generally disclosed to the public. Freemasonry uses an initiatory system of degrees to explore ethical and philosophical issues, and the system is less effective if the observer knows beforehand what will happen. It is described in Masonic craft ritual as "a beautiful system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols."

Leadership
Freemasonry offers its members leadership opportunities at the lodge, District, and Grand Lodge level. As Freemasons progress through the Craft, they discover different aspects of themselves and develop a range of skills that even they might not have known they possessed. By developing leadership techniques that fit their personality, Masons unlock the door to their full potential.For more than 10 years the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts has sponsored the Masonic Leadership Institute for its members to strengthen leadership within our Fraternity and to contribute to the personal growth of Massachusetts Masons.

Informationprovided by
Massachusetts Freemasonry