Square & Compasses Day
Mount Holyoke Lodge A.F. & A.M.
Mount Holyoke Lodge of
A.F. & A.M.
•
The Wor. Paul A. Cataldo, Master welcomes you to the
Mount Holyoke Lodge for the annual celebration of the
Square & Compasses Day.
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The Square & Compasses Day was established to
provide information and education to potential
members.
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The Mount Holyoke Lodge of Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons was instituted in 1869.
•
Mount Holyoke Lodge Holds its Regular
Communication meetings on the first Thursday of
each month between January & May.
Mount Holyoke Lodge of
A.F. & A.M.
What is Freemasonry
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There is no simple, one-line answer that satisfactorily
defines what Freemasonry is. It is, however, a
philosophy and a system of morality and ethics. Some of
the main points are:
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Freemasonry is a fraternity of men, bound together by
oaths, based on the medieval stonemason craft guild.
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Freemasonry teaches lessons of social and moral virtues
based on symbolism of the tools and language of the
ancient building trade.
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Freemasonry does have some secret methods of
recognizing each other, such as handshakes, signs, and
passwords, but we are far from being a secret society.
Mount Holyoke Lodge of
A.F. & A.M.
What is Freemasonry
•
Freemasons or Masons are obligated to practice
brotherly love. Mutual assistance, equality, secrecy, and
trust between each other.
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Freemasons meet in lodges that are governed by a
Master and assisted by Wardens, Deacons and Stewards,
where petitioners who are found morally and mentally
qualified are admitted using secret ritual ceremonies.
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Freemasonry is NOT a religion, and it has no religious
dogma that it forces on its members to accept. Masons
must simply believe in the existence of a Supreme being.
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Freemasonry is NOT a science, but it does teach the
value of learning and experience. It encourages its
members to think, but not what to think.
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Freemasonry Teaches Masons to be tolerant of the
beliefs of others and regard each man as their equal.
Mount Holyoke Lodge of
A.F. & A.M.
What do Freemasons do
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Lodges have regular meetings throughout the year.
Mount Holyoke meets on the first Thursday of each
month.
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The monthly meeting is typically proceeded by a dinner.
The dinner is an opportunity to meet with old friends or
make some new ones.
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The monthly meetings are typically where the business
matters of the lodge are conducted. These matters
include reading communications, paying bills, voting on
new members or to listen to guest speakers.
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Other special meetings are held to initiate new members
and perform the various ceremonies to advance them to
full membership.
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It is the mission of the Masonic lodge to make new
masons, and that is done by conferring degrees.
Mount Holyoke Lodge of
A.F. & A.M.
The Three Degrees
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All Freemasons must complete three degree ceremonies.
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The three degrees are as follows: Entered Apprentice,
Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. These degrees are
based upon the levels of membership in the old
medieval craft guilds.
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The degree ceremonies are based on rituals that are
centuries old. Modern Freemasonry have retained much
of the original ceremonies, including some of the old
English language.
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The degree ceremonies share a similar set of
characteristics. They are as follows:
Mount Holyoke Lodge of
A.F. & A.M.
The Three Degrees
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The degree ceremonies are based on the story of the
building of King Solomon’s Temple.
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The degrees are progressive and must be taken in order.
Each degree building on the previous one.
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Each candidate takes an Obligation (oath) for each
degree where he promises to keep the secrets he is told
and to obey the rules of the fraternity.
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A member must prove proficiency in his degree before
moving up. Proving proficiency is usually determined by
each individual lodge.
Depending on the lodge, advancing from one degree to the next can take days,
weeks, months or even years.
Mount Holyoke Lodge of
A.F. & A.M.
Masonry is as diverse as its members, and so it can
seem like something very different depending on who
you talk to or the lodge you visit.
Some Masons focus on the many charities the fraternity
sponsors. Some are focused on the history or the
philosophy, or the symbolism of the fraternity.
Others consider it to be primarily a place to go to play
cards, meet new friends or simply to partake of a home
cooked meal.
Still others enjoy performing the ritual ceremonies and
make it a lifelong passion. Freemasonry offers
something for everyone, whatever his interests may be.
Mount Holyoke Lodge of
A.F. & A.M.
How Do I Join?
Stuff from Paul………….
Additional information:
Additional information can be found on the can be found on the
Massachusetts Freemasons web site (Grand Lodge):
http://www.massfreemasonry.org/
Or at the Mount Holyoke Lodges web site:
http://www.mountholyokelodge.org/
Mount Holyoke Lodge of
A.F. & A.M.
“Mystery creates wonder, and wonder is the basis of
man’s desire to understand”
- Neil Armstrong
To be one, ask one