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Visiting Internationally

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
I know there are many Brethren who've visited Lodges abroad. My question, did you go through your respective Grand Lodge or did you *gasp* contact the Lodge you wished to visit directly? I've heard stories where Grand Lodges abroad can become quite irritated if you don't go through your Grand Secretary.
 
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Traveling Man

Premium Member
I was visiting internationally with the recommendation of a brother I had communication with for a long time.

I would never violate protocol and went to our grand secretary to get my traveling papers. The brother I was visiting vouched for me and introduced me to their investigating committee. I was pre-introduced to their sitting master and formally introduced in the tiled meeting to their sitting grand master. I mentioned the above to demonstrate the why of the protocol. :)
 

KSigMason

Traveling Templar
Site Benefactor
I visited the Grand Orient of Italy, but I actually went through the Grand Commandery of Italy to visit and then went with one of the Sir Knights to Lodge on another day.
 

Frater Cliff Porter

Premium Member
I have done both, but the best course of action is to arrange the visit through your Grand Secretary and make certain you have a patent as the rest of the world doesn't do dues cards.
 

KSigMason

Traveling Templar
Site Benefactor
I have done both, but the best course of action is to arrange the visit through your Grand Secretary and make certain you have a patent as the rest of the world doesn't do dues cards.
Normally I would have gone through my Grand Secretary, but due to the time change in Iraq and Italy, I couldn't get a hold of them in time. You are right Cliff about the dues cards and patents. I lucked out though with my dues cards.

I had a friend who copied and shrunk all of his various patents and certificates down into business card size so he had a copy in his wallet at all times. Kind of ingenious.
 

tomoso

Registered User
I visited Argentine, Paraguay, Italy, and Malta. Each time, I had a local sponsor, so I just went straight through them. Seems like the first time, I contacted the GL of Texas, but I don't think I got a response before I left.
 

Timothy Fleischer

Registered User
I think the proper protocol is through your own Grand Secretary. You can browse the List of Lodges for the one you want to attend, but contact should go through the Grand Secretaries.
 

optargueta

Registered User
My fraternal greetings to all Brethren.


I will be in Houston next month to make a course, requested by the company that I work.


I am a Brazilian Freemason (First degree - apprentice) and would like to know if I can make a visit in one Lodge there.


I am not intending to stay in session, only know the place and people.


I am open to reply any questions, if you want to know more informations.
 

Wayne Simpson

Registered User
I would be interested in the answer from Houston. Here in my part of Nova Scotia (Canada), if it can be shown you are indeed an EA in good standing, you would be very welcome to attend our meeting. We would just open and conduct business in the First Degree, especially for you. :)
 

Txmason

Registered User
Brother,

What part of Houston will you be staying in and what dates will you be in Houston?

I'd be glad to help! Texas is a great place to visit and eat! Let me know what I can do to help.

Bro. Jerry Johnston


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rmorenc

Premium Member
I know there are many Brethren who've visited Lodges abroad. My question, did you go through your respective Grand Lodge or did you *gasp* contact the Lodge you wished to visit directly? I've heard stories where Grand Lodges abroad can become quite irritated if you don't go through your Grand Secretary.

I contacted the Grand Lodge of India directly once I moved here to inquire about what lodge to attend, especially since I was not sure which lodges met in English. Luckily they were very welcoming, and put me in touch with a great lodge here outside of Pune. Now we are trying to navigate the course for me to affiliate with this lodge (Level #41 in Kirkee, India). The lodge secretary and I joke that by the time my expat assignment is over in mid-2014 that the paperwork just might be finished navigating from Level #41 - Western Regional Grand Lodge of India - GLI - GLoT and back again.


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dfreybur

Premium Member
Define patent. I presume it's like a Masonic Passport?

When I've read on newsgroup soc.org.freemasonry about them they are Masonic documents endorsed by the GL confirming you are a Mason in good standing. So it should be a big dues card by another name.

Lodges outside of the US or maybe outside of North America apparently use patents not dues cards. I figure if I'm ever asked for my patent I'll ask "Do you mean a Masonic document endorsed by the GL confirming I'm a MM in good standing? Here's mine" hand them my dues card and point out the GL crest on it.
 

optargueta

Registered User
Bro. Jerry Johnston and Bro. Wayne Simpson, thanks for the reply. I was consulting the Grand Orient of Brazil website and only M.`. M.`. can visit Lodges in other countries. There we can check all procedures to take the letter to be presented before the visit (through Grand Secretary) and other recommendations. Many many thanks, one more time, for replies.

Bro. Jerry Johnston, I`ll be in Houston between Apr. 20th - Apr. 27th.

Fraternally,
 

HDJacome

Registered User
Bro. Jerry Johnston and Bro. Wayne Simpson, thanks for the reply. I was consulting the Grand Orient of Brazil website and only M.`. M.`. can visit Lodges in other countries. There we can check all procedures to take the letter to be presented before the visit (through Grand Secretary) and other recommendations. Many many thanks, one more time, for replies.

Bro. Jerry Johnston, I`ll be in Houston between Apr. 20th - Apr. 27th.

Fraternally,

Hi Bro. I am from Brazil too. My Lodge is located in Fortaleza.


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HDJacome

Registered User
Hi Bro. Next year will be soccer FIFA WC in my city. If some Brothers need information, just let me know.


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cemab4y

Premium Member
I have attended lodges in five(5) foreign nations. I have never contacted my Grand Lodge ,prior to visiting. If you have a valid dues card (or patent) from a recognized Grand Lodge, just go to the international lodge, and ask for admittance. I did some research, though. I was traveling to Moscow, so I checked out the Grand Lodges of Russia, and got the schedule and location for Phoenix lodge #17. It was a great experience.

Visiting lodges, is part of the wages of a Master Mason.
 

rhunker

Registered User
I've traveled internationally also and have always requested a letter of introduction from my grand lodge and also attempted to contact the lodge I want to visit.

I was recently reminded that it's important to find out if the lodge you plan to visit is recognized by your grand lodge AND to find out if your grand lodge is recognized by the grand lodge you plan to visit. For example, there are many GL's in Brazil, only one is recognized by my GL.

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Echevin

Registered User
Brethren

I'm visiting Rio in December. Does anyone have a suggestion of a lodge there that I may visit please?
I don't speak Portuguese unfortunately and am an English Freemason under UGLE and am a PM.

Thank you!!

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optargueta

Registered User
Bro Echevin, do you have a estimated date of your arrival? Many lodges have a break due the X-mas and New Year's Eve. My personal e-mail is optargueta@gmail.com
Rgds
Olegário Targueta
FC
ARLS Austin - 1952 (Grand Orient of Brazil)
Nova Iguaçu - RJ



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