I am in Australia yes and it depends on your jurisdiction- some lodges are happy to speed up the process a bit but it’s generally a year or more-Congratulations, Bro David612 - are you in Australia? Does it normally take years to be raised to the sublime degree of an MM?
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I think too, the more you invest in something (monetarily or emotionally) the more you'll take it seriously and be involved with it. We had the 'Insta-Masons' in Oklahoma where they showed up one day as a candidate and left that afternoon a 'Master Mason'. The two guys I knew that did that rarely, if ever, showed up to lodge. Pretty sad how we assume here easier means more people will be involved but really all it does is cheapen the whole thing and makes it less desirable to join in the first place. In those areas it takes years to be a MM, they probably take it seriously. Granted there probably isn't a lodge on every street corner of every little town, the ones that exist are probably thriving and doing well.Bro David612 - my younger brother (not a Freemason) is also named David- I think that in Texas (and the rest of the USA) we go through the degrees much too fast (I took six months, and all I was required to do was memorize questions for the EA, FC and MM) most brothers take about a year....
I've heard in South American lodges the brothers are REQUIRED to read classics on philosophy, history (Masonic and non-Masonic) as well as religious texts, then write papers and present them orally in Lodge. The only time we have to write papers and do Masonic research is if we join a special research lodge (must be a Master Mason to join as an associate member). In the MW Grand Lodge of Texas only MMs can vote but most of our meetings are open on the EA degree except when passing a brother to the FC or MM degree or if receiving dignitaries such as District or Grand Lodge officers in an official visit.
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Since being raised I have been assigned an EA to mentor-
Some have pointed out that this is very early however my interpretation of mentoring in our lodge is basically being the new masons contact between meetings, building a friendship and yes helping them with their work- Someone has to ask so you may answer, right?
There seems to be some concern that a new Master is not yet experienced enough to help an EA, I can’t help but think back to my raising and some of the instructions given on this subject.
Since being raised I have been assigned an EA to mentor-
Some have pointed out that this is very early however my interpretation of mentoring in our lodge is basically being the new masons contact between meetings, building a friendship and yes helping them with their work- Someone has to ask so you may answer, right?
There seems to be some concern that a new Master is not yet experienced enough to help an EA, I can’t help but think back to my raising and some of the instructions given on this subject.
I give Masonic Education talks at various lodges and sometimes at district. This month my topic will be three symbolic meanings of the EA jewel. This discussion has given my an outline for a similar topic on the meanings of the FC jewels.
I believe he is referring to placement of the Lights... so not something that should be openly discussed.
...I've heard in South American lodges the brothers are REQUIRED to read classics on philosophy, history (Masonic and non-Masonic) as well as religious texts, then write papers and present them orally in Lodge....