Requirements for Becoming a Freemason
Once I submit my petition what is the process?
Obtain and complete the “Petition for The Degrees in Masonry” from the Lodge of your choice. It is especially important to accompany the petition with a certified copy or photocopy of your birth certificate or the petition is not complete and cannot move forward. Here is the process:
Once the petition is completed and accompanied with your birth certificate, it is held by the Secretary of the Lodge until the next Lodge Stated Meeting.
At the Lodge’s Stated Meeting the Secretary will read your petition to the Lodge. The Master of the Lodge will assign three Master Masons of the Lodge to an Investigation Committee which has 30 days or until the Next Months Stated Meeting to contact you. A face-to-face interview between each Investigation Committee member and the petitioner is required.
Once the Investigation Committee has completed its duty, the Secretary of the Lodge will read the Committees recommendations to the Lodge at the next Stated Meeting. The Lodge will vote as to your admission. If the vote is favorable a member of the Lodge will contact you and an initiation date will be set.
The process usually takes about 60 days from submission of the Petition to initiation.
According to the Grand Lodge of Texas, to become a Texas Freemason the following qualifications are required prior to petitioning the Lodge for the Degrees in Masonry:
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Be a man.
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At least 18 years of age on or before the day the petition is received by the Lodge.
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Be a man of good moral character and reputation.
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Must have been domiciled within the State of Texas for six months.
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Must have been domiciled within the jurisdiction of the Lodge for six months.
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Have the ability to pay modest initiation fees and yearly dues.
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Be known by three Master Masons in Good Standing of any Lodge within the State of Texas of which, none of whom may be either of the two required recommenders on your petition.
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A firm belief in the existence of God, the immortality of the soul, and the divine authenticity of the Holy Scriptures. (Texas Freemasons accept any religion or faith, with the exception of an Atheist. No Atheist can be made a Mason.)
The Grand Lodge of Texas supports and practices the ancient custom and usage among Masons that a man is required to present himself for the Degrees of Masonry of his own free will and accord. At the same time, it acknowledges to all Texas Masons that it is permissible and proper to extend a neutrally worded invitation to petition for the Degrees of Masonry to a man whom the Mason has strong reason to believe is of good moral character, reputation, and is qualified. After answering the non-Mason’s questions about Masonry, and explaining the procedure for petitioning, the potential candidate should be left to make his own decision and to proceed of his own free will. “To be a Mason, ask a Mason.”