What is Freemasonry

Freemasonry is the world’s oldest and largest fraternity. Its history and tradition date to antiquity and its singular common cause is to make good men better. Freemasonry is not a place of worship, it is rather an alliance of free men of all religions, which are based on the belief in one Supreme Being, who are bonded by friendship, compassion and brotherly love.

Freemasonry is a society of free men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its precepts by a series of ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms, and use stonemasons’ customs and tools as allegorical guides.

Freemasonry is an alliance dating back to 18th century between free man from all creeds and social horizons joined in a common cause: following one’s path towards self-perfection and through him, that of the society in which he lives. Self-improvement could be explained as development of one’s morals and ideas and also humanism. This can be achieved through continuous self-searching with the help of symbols and rituals that are going back to Middle Ages.

Freemasonry has the purpose of moral development of its members as well as the practice of humanitarian principles. The several ways of action are: using symbolism borrowed from the Architectural Art; mutual instruction on the superior interests of Humanity; education through the benefits of friendship; emulation of social duties by one’s personal example and by doing Charity. Moreover, Freemasonry endeavors to make an effort, trying to put into practice and to make widespread its fundamental principles, to make progress in instruction and in education; to hold up, even to founder, in case of need, public utility establishments; and to fight without relief for the principles of Tolerance and Progress.

Three great principles of Freemasonry are:

Brotherly Love Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.

Relief Freemasons are taught to practice charity and to care: not only for their own, but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.

Truth Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives.

Freemasons call each other "brothers" and consider this alliance as a Brotherhood. They know that all men, no matter what their talents and their social standing, are born with the same rights and with the same duties. Considering that this saying is often misunderstood in life, we feel that our duty is to maintain and to strengthen Fraternal feelings and Equality amongst ourselves first, and consequently, amongst other men.

The Freemason is faithful and entirely devoted to his country. He recognizes the sacred duty to defend its liberty and its independence whilst always working to maintain peace at home. Faithful to the Order’s Traditions, he works towards the assuring of and the respect of human rights. As a citizen, each Mason is held morally to partake in public affairs in order to strengthen his Masonic principles. Here, it is question of contributing to, according to one’s convictions, and of serving the well being of the Country.

Freemasons meet in the Lodge - a peaceful and neutral place where human passions shall have no place. The Lodge does not enter into any controversy concerning political or confessional questions. On an educational level, one may exchange views on such questions. These discussions can never give place to any voting whatever, nor can result in adopting any resolutions, which would in any way hinder its members’ independence of thought.