Brick by Brick: Inside a Lodge-Building Boom
In this issue of California Freemason, we’re exploring what it takes to get new lodges off the ground, and how they define themselves within the landscape of Masonry in the state.
VIRTUS CONCORDIA PONTEM
WHAT IS MASONRY? Masonry is the world’s first and largest fraternal organization. It is guided by the enduring belief that each man has a responsibility to make the world a better place. For 300 years, Freemasonry has enhanced and strengthened the character of individual men by providing opportunities for fellowship, charity, and the search for truth – within ourselves and the larger world.
Benicia Lodge strives to provide a man with tools to be the Architect of his life. Finding inspiration in older Masonic traditions, the Lodge has adopted a centuries old approach to fellowship, initiation (degree conferral), and mentoring.
Benicia Lodge meets at the oldest Masonic building in the State of California built specifically for Lodge meeting purposes. We are a small Lodge in membership. Our meetings and activities are very formal in decorum emphasizing the formality and solemnity of lodge gatherings. We have adopted traditional Masonic ceremonies of introspection and bonding that distinguish our approach to fellowship. Another feature that sets us apart is our method of teaching about the symbols of Freemasonry. We use a conversation format to investigate masonic ideas that combine questions of ethical, social and psychological importance with metaphysical and epistemological considerations. By emphasizing the symbolic and philosophical aspects of freemasonry, Benicia Lodge helps a man develop good character, personal integrity and meaningful contribution for the betterment of self, family and community.
Inspired by our geographical location, we have adopted the Bridge as our lodge symbol. We observe the traditional to help a man bridge the gap to the contemporary. VIRTUS CONCORDIA PONTEM is our lodge motto.
Masonry is a community of men and their families who share similar beliefs and values. The fraternity finds it important to connect with other men of honor, compassion, love, trust, and knowledge, regardless of their race, color, religious beliefs, political views, sexual orientation, physical ability, citizenship, or national origin. We are friends and brothers, and are connected through this vital and uplifting organization of moral men.
Our continuing pursuit of truth, knowledge, ethics, and leadership skills makes us better men and brings more meaning to our lives. Learning the tenets of Freemasonry, paired with being an active part of our community, gives us the opportunity to develop leadership and organizational skills, and builds self-discipline through commitment and self-confidence.
As a member of the Freemasons, the Grand Lodge of California, and Benicia Lodge, we are a part of a worldwide organization that values tradition, history, and timeless wisdom. The traditions and core values of our fraternity are meaningful today and will endure for centuries to come because of our direct impact in our community, through our charities, and on a personal level.
Benicia Lodge membership is open to men 18 and older who meet the qualifications and standards of character and intention, and who believe in a Supreme Being. Men of all ethnic and religious backgrounds are welcome.
One of Freemasonry’s customs is not to solicit members – men must seek membership on their own initiative. Anyone is welcome to request information about the fraternity.
If you are interested in applying for membership to our lodge, now is a good time to start. Please contact us to schedule a visit during an event, or request more information.
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In this issue of California Freemason, we’re exploring what it takes to get new lodges off the ground, and how they define themselves within the landscape of Masonry in the state.
Discuss your Masonic experience with others easily by downloading the simple guide to Freemasonry and brushing up on the basics.
Say hello to a series of brand-new web resources for prospects and new members available on freemason.org, the online home of the Masons of California.
Between July 10–21, we’re asking all members who are comfortable doing so to post a short message on Facebook or Instagram saying why Freemasonry is important to you.
In the Magic Issue of California Freemason magazine, we’re casting a light on some of those similar connections between magic and Masonry.
Maybe you’ve seen the square and compass logo on buildings around town or wondered about the meaning of emblems like the Masonic trowel. What’s the history behind Masonic symbols, and how do they factor into what happens in a lodge?
Most people know that there are two things that Masons don’t discuss in the lodge room: politics and religion. Instead, they focus on the things that bind them, not that divide. Could that be a model for a more harmonious world outside the lodge?
In this issue of California Freemason Magazine, we’re casting our gaze anew at our fraternal home, the California Masonic Memorial Temple in San Francisco.
Explore some stunning examples of this fraternal craftwork through the ages in From the Hands of Fellowship, a new virtual exhibition from the Henry Wilson Coil Library and Museum of Freemasonry.
In this special issue of California Freemason, we take a Masonic road trip south of the border to learn about the long history of Freemasonry in Latin America.
These Masons working with death have an intimate familiarity with the other side.
A tiny, sandy cove, San Francisco’s Aquatic Park is one of the most reliably sunny spots in town. Yet clues of the city’s distant past are still there.
The Senior Warden, Brother Michael Woodruff, talks about William Preston and our Masonic ritual
Our officer’s Coach, Brother V. Thomas Langford, explains why Freemasonry is emerging as an important alternative to the larger culture’s response to moral relativism.
