“Building a Caring Society with Integrity”

Freemasonry is a fraternal organization drawing its values and principles on the practices and virtues of actual stone masons of the Middle Ages.    Such individuals were highly skilled craftsman who were responsible for the construction of cathedrals and other significant structures throughout Europe and beyond. 

These “craftsman” were highly skilled in the knowledge and science of building such structures and many centuries after the completion of their great works we can still see and even use the products of their labours to this day.

These masons of old were transient and travelled from job site to job site.  They formed collectives called “lodges”   To practice their craft required extensive training commencing with an apprenticeship serving and being trained by a skilled craftsman.   This hard won knowledge had to be preserved in order to maintain the integrity of the masons and the high standards of their work. And they went through degrees or various levels of learning.  This, along with a high level of morality was attractive to ordinary layman. 

Such layman were admitted to the lodges as what might be called “honourary” membership and became what we term “speculative masons” as opposed to “operative masons”.

In time the need for regular operative masons declined but the attraction of their moral and ethical way of life endured with the speculative masons.  What has  evolved is what we see today in the form of Freemasons where morality, virtue ethics, community and charity are the guiding principles of life.

Today we have “lodges” where we gather to learn a practice the principles of our ancient master masons.

Freemasonry is NOT a religion or service club but an organization that does promote the ideals of service to society and the practice of charity and virtue.

Freemasonry is structured with the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario that serves as the governing body of the organization followed by a “district” – we are in the Sudbury-Manitoulin District in which there are six lodges.

Those interested can contact ddgm@smmasons.com OR ask any member.