About Freemasonry

About Freemasonry | Membership

What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry is the oldest and largest worldwide fraternity dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of a Supreme Being. Although of a religious nature, Freemasonry is not a religion. It urges its members, however, to be faithful and devoted to their own religious beliefs.

The organization or Freemasonry is based on a system of Grand Lodges, each sovereign within its own territory. There is no central authority governing all Grand Lodges. However, to be acknowledged by others, acceptable traditions, standards and practices must be maintained.

In our Country, the governing body is called the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines. It is under the leadership of a Grand Master. He presides over the 14,000 Masons who belong to one or more of the 300 lodges in our jurisdiction. Each of these lodges is under the direction of a Master.

What It Does

As a fraternity, Freemasonry provides an opportunity for men to meet and enjoy friendly companionship. In the spirit of helpfulness and brotherly love and guided by strict moral principles it encourages goodwill toward all mankind. Freemasonry is of a personal nature in its private ceremonies. Its ritual dramatizes a philosophy of life based on morality. It promotes self-improvement. The tools of operative masons are used to symbolize and teach the basic principles of Brotherly Love, Charity and Truth which Masons are encouraged to practice in their daily lives. Charity is a tangible way in which Masons help those, whose circumstances in life warrant it.

The Fraternity does not conceal its existence, purpose, aims or principles. Masonic Halls bearing the lodge name and emblem are familiar sights in towns and cities throughout the Philippines and the world. Many members proudly wear Masonic insignia on rings and pins.

Historical Backgrounds

Our traditions can be traced directly to the associations of operative masons. They were men of outstanding character and high ideals, who built the cathedrals, abbeys and castles of the Middle Ages.

With the decline of cathedral building in the 17th century, many guilds of stonemasons, called “Operative” masons, started to accept into their membership those who were not members of the masons” craft and called them “Speculative” of “Accepted” masons.

It was in these groups, called lodges, comprised mainly of “Accepted” masons that Freemasonry, as we know it today, had its beginning.

In 1717, four such lodges, which had been meeting regularly in London, united to form the first Grand Lodge of England under the direction of a Grand Master. From that first Grand Lodge, Freemasonry has spread throughout the world. Today, some 150 Grand Lodges have a total membership of approximately five million Masons.

Freemansonry and Religion

Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. Its essential qualification opens it to men of many religions and expects them to continue to follow their own faith. It does not allow religions to be discussed at its meetings.

Masons profess a belief in God and His Works, but leave the interpretation of religious dogma and the manner of worshiping God to the church, believing that this is proper province of the clergy.

Principal Tenets

For many years, Freemasons have followed three principal tenets.

Brotherly Love – Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.

Relief – Freemasons are taught to practice charity, and to care, not only for their own, but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving, and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.

Truth – Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives.

Freemasons believe that these principal tenets represent a way of achieving higher standards in life.