Freemasonry has always has attracted inquisitive minds and speculatory assumptions surrounding the fraternity, as is common with anything that has rituals, uses symbolism, is gender specific and has always maintained a level of secrecy.

The organization which formed it’s first Grand Lodge of England in 1717, dates back even further as the Regius Poem from the thirteenth or fourteenth century, depending on which history books you read, is believed to be the oldest surviving masonic document.

Albeit, there is something wildly interesting about the Freemasons, likely because of the untold and unknown, however, in all publicized documents they all state the same principals that the masons stand for and practice; brotherhood, truth-seeking and service or charity.

The fraternity grew dramatically during the 1800’s and 1900’s and attracted many high-profile men to be masons including, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Winston Churchill to name a few. During that time, the brotherhood of masons founded orphanages, homes for widows and for the elderly, giving security to many as the government at that time had no social “security net”.

Today Masonic Lodges are still found around the world and according to Dallas Shoeler, secretary of the Kindersley Masonic Lodge, are quite popular in Europe but are facing a decline in members in other area’s including Saskatchewan.

Shoeler was introduced to the fraternity by his father who was a member for over 50 years, Shoeler himself has been a Freemason for 15 years after joining in 2003. He said their monthly meetings are a time for social gathering, discussing financials, community service and emphasized the notion of it being a true brotherhood.

Freemasonry is more relaxed with the specifity of members than people may know. Although they require you do believe in a higher power, they accept and encourage religious diversity and are not considered a reglious group. Women’s and Co-Masonry, lodges that include both men and women, have been around for similar time frames dating back to the early 1900’s as well. However, Shoeler stated that if someone who is interested in joining can now simply inquire at a local Lodge oppose to having had to be recommended by an active Mason in the early years of the organization.

Rituals, symbolism and even exclusive handshakes still exist today as to continue the traditions of the early days where it was reported these types of things were used to recognize a member of the Masonic Lodge, something they said that was necessary when you have a brotherhood that spans worldwide.

Within the Kindersley Masonic Lodge, they still focus their efforts on, “making good men better,” said Shoeler, and looks to contribute to the community through events and bursaries.

Unless you are a Freemason, you may never know the intimate details of the fraternity, however in a world that has been described as over-exposed, secrecy may not be anything more than cherishing those things you hold dear and upholding values you deem important.