BECOMING A MASON
Joining the fraternity of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons requires that a man, of his own free will, petition a Masonic Lodge for the Degrees in Masonry. No Texas Mason should ever ask you to join
our fraternity.
Below are the general steps that a man seeking membership in Freemasonry may consider. Lodges will likely have their own procedures, but this will help you get started and give you a better understanding of the process.
ASK INFORMATION
If you know a Mason, ask him about the fraternity. Don’t be shy, we love talking to those interested in Masonry. If you don’t know a Mason, you can use the Lodge Locator feature of the Grand Lodge of Texas website to find a lodge near you and contact them. You can also use the “Ask a Mason” feature on the Grand Lodge of Texas website.
REQUEST FOR A PETITION
Request a petition from a Mason or from the lodge you would like to join. Your petition will require the signature of several Masons. If you don’t know any Masons, ask the lodge you’re petitioning for advice.
THE INVESTIGATION
The Master of the lodge you submitted your petition to will assign three members of the lodge to interview you and investigate your background. The investigators may want to meet with you at home. There is a standard set of questions that all investigators must ask, but many will ask additional questions. Be honest with the investigators. No Mason is perfect…we don’t expect petitioners to be perfect, either.
AFTER THE BALLOT
Soon after the stated meeting, a member from the lodge should contact you with the outcome of the ballot and provide you with additional instructions.
VISIT THE LODGE
Walter M. Pierson Lodge No 1339 meets on the 2nd Thursdays of the month. We're located at 7310 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77033. Dinner is served at 6:30 pm. Take this as an opportunity to meet some of the members and ask questions. Don’t be intimidated, we'll be happy to meet with you.
SUBMIT YOUR PETITION
Turn in your completed petition to the lodge you would like to join. Ask if there are any fees that need to accompany the petition. Your petition will be received by the lodge and will be read during a stated meeting.
Now that the lodge has your petition, these are the actions you can expect the lodge to take.
THE BALLOT
Your investigators will be given a deadline by which to return their completed investigation reports to the lodge. Their reports along with their recommendation will be read to the lodge at a stated meeting. At this time, the Master of the lodge will usually call for a ballot to be taken on your petition. Eligible Masons will then vote on your petition and the outcome of the ballot will be announced to the lodge.
MORE ON HOW TO BECOME A MASON
SOURCE:
Grand Lodge of Texas