Freemasonry is many different things to many different people. It’s powerful, it’s historic, it’s life-changing. But a lot of the time, these aren’t translated to many new brothers. Either because there is a lack of mentoring, there isn’t enough of a challenge, or even that the mysticism surrounding Freemasonry just isn’t there anymore. There are many reasons why a brother might abandon freemasonry, but a lot of them have to do with QUALITY. Quality of the people, quality of the message, quality of the craft, and all of that starts with their initiation. The following is plan to reform the initiate experience, so that it is truly something that will be remembered and will have a significant impact on their lives. It outlines a series of steps from proposal to the first degree, with a similar preparations made for the 2nd and 3rd degrees, so that the candidate is best prepared for his future in freemasonry.

Proposal

Before a candidate is proposed, let him spend a minimum of three meetings, getting to know the lodge brethren. He would join for banquet after the toasts have been made. This will give him a better idea of the people he will meet, and outside nature of freemasonry in general. This is also a nice introduction to his general character, and a will make for a smoother transition into the brotherhood. Once we have understood his nature and feel he is ready to make the commitment, he is then proposed in lodge.

Initiation or the First Degree

On the day of Initiation, the candidate waits at home prepared. He hears a knock on the door, when he opens the door, he see two brethren who then ask him if he is ready. On confirmation, he is then blindfolded and brought to freemason hall by car. As he walks in he feels he is surrounded by brethren. He is stopped and told, that when he takes off his blindfold, he will change into candidate clothes, and then he will see in front of him a few questions, and until such time as a brethren comes to get him, he is to reflect on his life, his past and his future.

The candidate hears doors close and he takes of his blindfold and sees that he is in a room lit only by candlelight. In from of him is a table, a chair, and a mirror. The table has a parchment on it, and a pen. On the paper are questions like: What is truth? Do we have free will? If you could choose just one thing to change about the world, what would it be? Does nature shape our personalities more than nurture? What defines good and evil? Etc. These answers are sealed in an envelope and given to the candidate at the end of his third degree, so that he will see how much he has changed.

During this time, lodge is opened. At the necessary time, the conductor goes to fetch the candidate. The brother enters the room and blindfolds the candidate once again, and then prepares him in the necessary fashion. Once he inside, the materials to be used are all quality made, and impose upon the candidate, not that we are a rich order, but that we are a one of quality and one that is worth being a part of.

Post Initiation

He will then be assigned a mentor to help him work out any questions he may have. Before taking his next degree, he will have to present his thoughts on freemasonry and what he has learned so far, so we may judge if he is ready or not.

I believe that adopting such a working, will go a long way in retaining candidates, and brining quality back to masonry.

This is a just a small measure of changes that may be implemented. Of course, there are many lodges that already implement actions such as these, and in some cases your GL may have strict rules concerning initiation. Nevertheless, every lodge should take a look at themselves an assess how they are initiating candidates, and if they’re doing a good job of it.

Fraternally yours,

Flynn Francisco

W.M. Swastik Lodge 771 I.C., Mumbai

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