Freemasonry is a unique institution that has been a major part of the Rome community life for over 210 years.  It is Rome's oldest fraternal organization and one that continues to be an important part of our city.  Lodge members take pride in acknowledging and participating in Masonic charities, our most visible activity.  The majority of giving goes to people who are not associated with the Masonic fraternity at all.  Though our charitable efforts vary from year to year, they have generally included advancement of education through scholarships; relief of poverty; the Shriners Hospitals for Children; the Masonic Brotherhood Fund; the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory in Utica; the New York Masonic Safety Identification Program; and other charitable causes within our community. 

          Freemasonry is open to men 21 years of age and beyond.   The principle tenets of Freemasonry are Brotherly Love, Charity, and Truth. 

         True Masonic ritual, as it always was intended to do, teaches the great lessons of life: the importance of honor and integrity, of being a person on whom others can rely, of being both trusting and trustworthy, of realizing that you have a spiritual nature as well as a physical nature, of the importance of self control, of knowing how to love and be loved, of knowing how to keep confidential what others tell you so that they can "open up" without fear. In short, Masonic ritual teaches us to reach for a higher standard in conducting our lives.

         Freemasonry has sometimes been referred to as a "secret society." This is an inaccurate statement. Freemasons certainly don't make a secret of the fact that they are members of their Lodges. We wear rings, lapel pins, and tie clasps with Masonic emblems like the Square and Compasses, the best-known of Masonic signs that, logically, recall our early symbolic roots in stone masonry. Masonic buildings are clearly marked and usually listed in the phone book. The only thing that could be referred to as "secret" -- although we prefer the word "private" -- are the methods of recognition such as grips, words, signs, and our ritual by which we induct new members.

         Over the centuries, Freemasonry has developed into a worldwide social and community service organization, emphasizing personal study, self-improvement, and social betterment via individual involvement and philanthropy. During the late 1700's, it was one of the organizations most responsible for spreading the ideals of the Enlightenment: the dignity of man and the liberty of the individual, the right of all persons to worship as they choose, the formation of democratic governments, and the importance of public education. Masons supported the first public schools in both Europe and America.

         The 3.5 million Masons worldwide continue to help men and women face the problems of the 21st century by building bridges of brotherhood and instilling in our communities ideals for a better tomorrow.

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