ABOUT FREEMASONRY IN ST. ALBERT
Freemasonry in St. Albert
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest secular fraternal societies.
Freemasonry instills in its members a moral and ethical approach to life: it seeks to reinforce thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things. Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount but, importantly, Freemasonry also teaches and practices concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need. In essence it is a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. For many years Freemasons have followed three great principles and believe that these principles represent a way of achieving higher standards in life. They are:
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.
Ideal of a Freemason
Qualifications of Membership
The essential qualification for admission into and continuing membership is a belief in a Supreme Being. Membership is open to men of any race or religion who can fulfill this essential qualification and who are of good repute.
To Be One, Ask One
How many degrees are there in Freemasonry?
Basic Freemasonry consists of three degrees – Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason. However, there are many other Masonic degrees and Orders which are called ‘additional’ or ‘appendant’ because they add to the foundations established in the first three degrees. They are not basic to Freemasonry but add to it by further expounding upon and illustrating the moral lessons taught. Some of these additional degrees are numerically superior to the third degree but this does not affect the fact that they are additional to and not in anyway superior to or higher than the Master Mason degree. The ranks that these additional degrees carry have no standing with the Craft.