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Freemasonry is a Traditional and Ancient Fraternity Order based on the Mysteries and Traditions of the Ancient Craft Masons. It constitutes an alliance of free men of good repute, of all origins, nationalities and faiths. The goal of Freemasonry is the moral improvement of humankind. To that end, Freemason's work towards the constant improvement of the condition of humankind, both on the spiritual and the material levels. Freemason's recognize each other as Brethren and owe each other help and assistance. In the constant search for truth and justice, Freemason's accept no hindrance and set themselves no limits. They respect other people’s opinions and the free expression thereof. Freemason's seek the conciliation of the opposites and want to unite men in the actual practice of a universal set of morals, and in the respect of everyone’s personality. Freemason's regard work as a right and a duty. Freemason's respect the laws and the legitimate authority of the country where they freely live and meet. Freemason's are enlightened and disciplined citizens and model their existence on the demands of their conscience. In the practice of the Workings of the Craft, Freemason see that the traditional rules, ways and customs of the Order are preserved. Freemason's, in the joint pursuit of the same ideals, recognize each other by means of words, signs and grips that are communicated traditionally in Lodge during the Initiation ceremonies. The words, signs and grips, as well as the Rites and the symbols, are an inviolable secret and cannot be communicated to whoever has not the right to know them. Each Freemason is free to disclose his Masonic membership or not, but he may not reveal that of a Brother. The Freemason's join together to form, accordingly to Masonic tradition, private groups known as Masonic Lodges. Lodges are governed according to the decisions made by the majority of Master Masons gathered in stated meeting, but cannot deviate from the general principles of Freemasonry, the Grand Master edicts, nor the laws of the Grand Lodge to which they belong. Lodges group together to form Grand Lodges, national and independent bodies, guardians of tradition, exerting undivided and exclusive jurisdiction over the three degrees of symbolic Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason. The Grand Lodges are governed in accordance with the traditional principles of Universal Masonry, with their own constitutions and with the laws they have regularly promulgated for themselves. They respect the sovereignty and independence of the other Masonic bodies and don’t allow themselves any interference in their internal affairs. They maintain among themselves the relationships necessary to the cohesion of Universal Freemasonry. They freely enter treaties and fraternal alliances among themselves but do not acknowledge any Masonic authority, national or international, superior to their own. They decide on their regulations alone and in a sovereign manner and take care alone of their own administration, their internal justice and discipline. Thus is maintained the universal character of the Masonic Order, respectful of the personality of each national Masonic body, of the autonomy of each Lodge and of the individual freedom of each Brother, so that Love, Harmony and Concord might reign among all Freemason's. QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP · You must be a free man of at least 21 years of age. · You must have a religious belief in a Supreme Being or Creator. · You must be able to afford the costs of membership. · You should be free from any criminal conviction. · You must state honestly, upon your honour, that you freely and voluntarily wish to join, prompted by a favourable opinion of Freemasonry. · You must likewise state honestly, upon your honour, that you have no mercenary or other unworthy motive for joining Freemasonry. MASONIC TRIANGLE Any three Master Masons may constitute a "Triangle", that is a minimal lodge which may meet ritually but may not MASONIC LODGE A minimum of seven Master Masons may constitute a normal lodge, that is they may meet ritually and Initiate, Pass or Raise. Seven officers suffice to do the degrees: The Worshipful Master, the Senior Warden, the Junior Warden, the Master of Ceremonies, the Treasurer, the Secretary and the Tyler. The Regular Grand Lodge requires a Lodge under Dispensation to meet for a year without a charter or until it's able to function accordingly but usually after a year, at the RGLVA annual Communication, it decides whether the new lodge has worked satisfactorily and will be granted a Charter. |
| REGULAR GRAND LODGE OF VIRGINIA Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons " CONSTITUTED LODGES" |
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CONTACT US AT:
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rglvirginia@gmail.com