What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry is perhaps best described by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Website. In short, Freemasonry (often simplified to “Masonry”) enhances and strengthens the character of the individual man by providing opportunities for fellowship, charity, education, and leadership based on the three ancient Masonic tenets: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. Massachusetts Freemasonry is a crowning legacy of this venerable heritage as we strive to “make good men better.”

The essential qualities Masons share in their diverse lives are a belief in a Supreme Being and a desire to strive for:

  • fellowship with other Masons 
  • high moral standards
  • kindness in the home
  • courtesy in society
  • honesty in business
  • fairness in all dealings

Freemasonry's family consists of many organizations, some are parts of Freemasonry, some are appendant bodies of the fraternity where an entrance requirement is that a man be a Master Mason, and still others are concordant bodies, organizations that operate alongside Masonry. Some of Freemasonry's family organizations include the following: