Ballynahinch Masonic Lodge No 301

Masonic Membership

It's been said that each time someone joins the Masons, the entire community benefits. That's no exaggeration. Freemasonry offers today's man a special outlet to make a significant difference in the world by helping those in need. By joining like-minded men of all backgrounds, members contribute to the betterment of humanity.

Freemasonry Membership means involvement In Freemasonry, men proudly working to serve as Masons. We're not searching for members who demonstrate their charity with open check books; instead, we need members ready to roll up their sleeves and work as a team for the betterment of all mankind.

Members come from all walks of life, all races, all creeds and religions. In alleviating the pain and suffering of those in their times of need, Masons pull together for the common good. Masonry makes good men better. Through association with their fellow members, men with a high regard for honesty, integrity, brotherly love, and the pursuit of truth, they truly become better men.

Ten Reasons to become a Mason:

1. Masonry is a place where you can confidently trust ever person, and entrust your family with them.

2. Masonry is a place where, within moral and civil guidelines; free thought, free speaking and the spiritual growth of a man can grow into its fullest potential.

3. Masonry is a place, which provides the opportunity to meet, know and call brother, outstanding individuals from all walks of life that, I would not otherwise have met.

4. Masonry is a place to be a part of an organization that has for its principle tenets -- Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

5. Masonry is a place that provides self-development opportunities, leadership training and experience, and to improve public speaking skills.

6. Masonry is a place you can go to give support as well as seek it.

7. Masonry is a place where moral virtues are taught and through these teachings a regular reinforcement of the moral virtues is experienced.

8. Masonry is a place to spend time with a group of brothers, who by acting as good men make me want to become a better man. Not better than others, but better than I would otherwise been.

9. Masonry is a place to become better prepared to serve church and community.

10. Masonry is a place to meet with established members of the community and to become a part of the community.

Criteria for Membership

The essential qualification for membership is a belief in a Supreme Being. Membership is open to men of any race or religion that can fulfil this essential qualification, are of good repute and over the age of eighteen.

How does one become a Mason?

Most men do not understand the process of getting membership in a Masonic Lodge. No one is ever invited to become a mason or to join a Masonic Lodge. Though all morally good men would be welcome in any Masonic Lodge, however, the man himself must ask a mason about becoming a member or email our Secretary Davy Perry at david454perry@btinternet.com for more details. Once he has done so, he will be given an application (petition) to complete and he has taken the first step. It is then submitted to the local lodge for processing. The lodge will select a committee to investigate the candidate and report its findings. He must receive unanimous approval of the members.

Having passed the ballot box, the candidate then receives the first of the three degrees which make up the symbolic Lodge. The first degree is the Degree of Entered Apprentice. The second is the Degree of Fellow Craft, the third is the Degree of Master Mason. After he has completed all degrees he is then an accepted member of a great and noble fraternity.