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Petitioned...Excited...Anxious.

GentlemanBarbarian

Registered User
Greetings,
Thanks for this forum and the opportunity to introduce myself. Forgive my long-windedness.

Just before turning 41 earlier this month, I put into motion fulfilling a nearly lifelong goal and curiosity and reached out to my local lodge.

For those who are interested, this is my journey thus far:

I learned my grandfather was a Freemason near the time of his death while my grandmother and I were going though his things. I found his Freemason ring and some books. He was definitely the kind of man Tom Brokaw lamented about when he coined the term “The Greatest Generation.” Hard-working, industrious, and WWII Purple Heart hero etc.

Later I have had the pleasure of working with a a couple of men that I knew were Freemasons. Although completely different in personality, they were both men of strong character, charisma, and great work ethic. They were both the “go-to” guys at work and what’s more, they took the time to mentor others on the job.

So here I am now, I moved to Kentucky three years ago. I’ve since gotten remarried, and plan to finally settle in for awhile ( I moved with work a lot.) I have always looked for ways to be a better man for myself and family. Not being from here with not a lot of my own local friends outside of work, I was looking for a way to be in the company of fine men doing a good service to improve one-another and serve the community. Sort of an iron-sharpens-iron kind of situation. We are the company we keep after all.

Being a history buff and wanting to join a cadre of fine men I thought about the Freemasons I have known, how they conducted themselves as men, and how proud they were to be a Freemason. The timing seemed right and I spoke with a Freemason I met a couple of times locally and he suggested I contact a lodge closest to my house to start. That is what I did.

On New Year’s Eve I emailed the lodge.

New Year’s Day I received a call from the secretary and we chatted a while.

Had dinner with and decided to petition the lodge later that week. Petition was accepted in the stated meeting

Last Thursday I had my interview with the investigative committee and attended another lodge dinner.

The men of the lodge could not have been more friendly and welcoming! Much to my ease as you can imagine my initial slight awkwardness at being in a room full of strangers.

And now I wait...Excited. Trying not to be too anxious. They vote next month. If I get the dreaded black ball (cube,) I will allow myself to be really bummed and embarrassed for week or so and then....I dunno... Moose Lodge?? Just joking!

Thanks for reading! I shall try my hardest to make any future posts not be as lengthy.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Greetings and welcome to the forum.

Thanks for telling some of your story.

I had a great spontaneous dinner last night I had bumped into an Entered Apprentice who has been to about 4 meetings.. we had a great conversation and lingered to enjoy each others company, but that was built upon only 4 meetings. Such is how the bond of Freemasonry can be. I hope you find that and more, but always remember, regardless of the good and the bad - Freemasonry rests in the philosophical ideal of making yourself a better man and treating those around you well. The men you speak of seemed to understand that, and seemed to live it, I hope you do to..

Again, a warm welcome.
 

GentlemanBarbarian

Registered User
Thank you for the welcome Bloke! Just through the couple of dinners I have been to, I have already hit it off well with a couple of lodge members (who I hope to soon earn the privilege to call Brothers.) The warm reception I have received already just as a petitioner has definitely reinforced my decision to take this journey.
 

Schuetz

Registered User
It is the right of Master Masons to travel to other Lodges. That being said, I ended up visiting about 10 Lodges before being raised. It was a rare opportunity, my area being very welcoming of E.A. and F.C. visitation, and it paid off in that members of each would come to my subsequent Degrees. It allowed me the chance to see even better just the kind of organization I was getting into.

Q. E. L. Schuetz, M.M.
Shekinah Lodge No. 241 • IL
Murphysboro Lodge No. 498 • IL
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
I ended up visiting about 10 Lodges before being raised. It was a rare opportunity, my area being very welcoming of E.A. and F.C. visitation, and it paid off in that members of each would come to my subsequent Degrees. It allowed me the chance to see even better just the kind of organization I was getting into.
Cool!
 

GentlemanBarbarian

Registered User
I am beyond happy and honored! I was balloted last night and it was returned favorable. My initiation is scheduled for next month.

Any advice on what to study up on while I wait? I know not to touch any ritual research. I wouldn’t think of robbing myself of the experience.
 

Schuetz

Registered User
I am beyond happy and honored! I was balloted last night and it was returned favorable. My initiation is scheduled for next month.

Any advice on what to study up on while I wait? I know not to touch any ritual research. I wouldn’t think of robbing myself of the experience.
Congratulations. You are now a *Candidate* (I preferred the term 0° Mason when I was at that stage). One of the great things is you don't need to do anything to prepare for the First Degree. Studying comes after.

Q. E. L. Schuetz, M.M.
Shekinah Lodge No. 241 • IL
Murphysboro Lodge No. 498 • IL
 
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