Becoming a Freemason

Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon Informational Video

Your interest in commencing a Masonic Journey should begin with the above video. Filmed at the Freemasons' Hall which Victoria-Columbia No.1 helped build in 1880, and where the Lodge still holds its meetings, this 20-minute presentation will answer many of your questions!. Once you have launched the video, clicking on the lower-right corner will give a full-screen presentation for more comfortable viewing. Enjoy!

Further Reading From the Grand Lodge of Britsh Columbia & Yukon: ssing a desire to join the fraternity is the first step to becoming a Freemason.

What attracts a man to Freemasonry? Every man comes of his own free will and accord, with his own individual needs and interests. One man may join so that he can associate with other men who believe that only by improving themselves can they hope to improve the world. Another man may join because he is looking for a focus for his charitable inclinations. And yet another may be attracted by a strong sense of history and tradition. Many join simply because they knew a friend or relative who was a freemason and they admired that man’s way of living his life. All who join and become active discover a bond of brotherly affection and a community of mutual support; a practical extension of their own religious and social beliefs.

Please read a short article entitled "The Ideal of a Freemason" . It was written over a hundred years ago and sums up much of what attracts some to Freemasonry. Keep in mind that this is an ideal. This is a goal that some freemasons may fall short of, but they all have committed themselves to a path that leads to this ideal. We do not consider ourselves superior, but we do hold ourselves to high standards.

The following Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon website articles may interest you (Please click-on the Square and Compasses logo for the link):

Aims and Relationships of the Craft

Responding to our Critics

Freemasonry and Religion

To be eligible for membership in the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of British Columbia and Yukon an applicant must satisfy the following qualifications:

The ability to read and write in English.

Capacity – A candidate is eligible for the degrees of Freemasonry if he is capable of learning the art of Freemasonry.

Residency – A petitioner must have resided within the Jurisdiction of Grand Lodge for six consecutive months immediately prior to the date of his petition. The Grand Master may grant a Dispensation reducing the length of residency required.

Age, etc.- When making his application, a candidate must be at least 21 years old, free born and capable of supporting himself and those dependent upon him.

Candidates are required to pay an Initiation Fee (approx $500), which covers all costs (including a Master Mason Apron upon qualifcation) until the Master Mason degree is completed. As a new Victoria-Columbia Master Mason, you then pay pro-rated Annual Dues for the portion of the calendar year left after your MM Degree and regular Annual Dues after that. You are expected to be actively involved in the working of the Lodge. This requires a commitment of two to four evenings a month and the effort to study and understand Freemasonry’s philosophy, history, ritual and practices. As in any society, the member can only get out of it what he puts into it.

Click on the banner (left) to start your journey in the world's greatest fraternity!

The Steps to Becoming an
Entered Apprentice Freemason with
Victoria-Columbia Lodge No.1:

1. Read, ask, watch the video here, read some more, and take a Freemason for a coffee (one of our favourite activities!). The ideal is to already know a Victoria-Columbia No.1 member, however, if you don't, and you choose to contact us, we'll arrange for an introduction. Your reading should also include the Lodge's "Candidate Information", and "Freemasonry Explained" (Click-on the Adobe logos for the papers)

Candidate Information

Freemasonry Explained

2. Once you've done all your reading and research, and you decide that Freemasonry appeals to you, the next step is to contact us! We don't solicit members, so you will have to make the first contact. Please complete the Candidate Contact Form, by clicking-on the Join Now graphic at the top of this column, and it will be sent to the Lodge Secretary and the Membership Committee Chair. Our webforms are 100% encrypted, and your information will remain confidential.

3. Initiation as a Freemason with Victoria-Columbia Lodge No.1 is a rare and sought-after privilege. Lodge Officers and Mentors spend hundreds of heartfelt hours sharing the wisdom, joy, mysteries and discoveries of Freemasonry with you; as such, we are limited in the number of new Brethren we can admit each year. Before you are formally proposed by the Membership Committee, there will be a number of informal meetings and discussions with you to ensure that both you and the Lodge will be well-served by your membership. You may also be asked to attend a number of Festive Boards (our pre/post Lodge socials), or other Masonic social functions, in-order to have an opportunity to meet the Brethren of Victoria-Columbia No.1. If you continue-on to the formal membership petition stage, you will need two Lodge Brothers as sponsors. One of Freemasonry's greatest joys is to extend the fraternal hand of welcome to new Brothers, and the social functions are the perfect way to find your sponsors!

4. After you have gone-through the above steps, and remain fully-decided that you would like to become a Freemason, and the Membership Committee has concurred with your interest and fit with the Lodge, your membership petition will be formally presented at a Victoria-Columbia No.1 meeting.

5. You will be advised of the results of the ballot, and if successful, given a prospective date for your initiation ceremony (the First Degree) and the commencement of your Masonic Journey!

Freemasonry is YOUR Choice

"It is a Landmark, or rule, of Freemasonry that candidates must come "of their own free will and accord." No man should be asked to join; on the contrary, he must ask to join".

Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon

Becoming a Freemason

Further Reading From the Grand Lodge of Britsh Columbia & Yukon: ssing a desire to join the fraternity is the first step to becoming a Freemason.

The Steps to Becoming an Entered Apprentice Freemason with Victoria-Columbia Lodge No.1:

Freemasonry is YOUR Choice

The Steps to Becoming an
Entered Apprentice Freemason with
Victoria-Columbia Lodge No.1: