About Chalcedony Lodge and Freemasonry
Chalcedony Lodge Number 6 is a Masonic Lodge in Holbrook, Arizona. On another page of this Website is story about the history this Lodge. Membership is by petition to the membership. Members of the Lodge are not allowed to solicit new members, but once a member realizes a man is interested he will be able to assist the man in a membership quest. The quest involves being accepted by the Lodge and participating in three initiation ceremonies over a period of months. Each of the ceremonies, called degrees, requires a proficiency before one can continue to the next degree.
Each state or country has autonomous Grand Lodges that govern respective Lodges in that area. There is not a national or international Masonic authority that governs the independent Grand Lodges. Each Grand Lodge in the world will monitor other Grand Lodges to ensure that they conform to Masonic Traditions. Masons may join other Masonic organizations such as the Scottish Rite, the various York Rite Organizations, and the Shrine after they become Master Masons. The "higher degrees" in these other Masonic organizations have national organizations that either direct or govern the state run bodies.
Although Masonic Lodges are religious in nature, Lodges do not sponsor or promote any religion. The Lodges
actually encourage men to be active in the religion of their personal choice. Masonic Legends indicate that
Masonic Lodges have existed since time immemorial, historical records indicate that Masonry existed since the
Renainnanse. The first Grand Lodge that still exists today began on Saint John the Baptist Day (June 24) in 1717 in London when four lodges came together. Grand Lodges on every continent of the world can trace their heritage to this Grand Lodge.
The principal officer in a Lodge is the Worshipful Master. The term Worshipful comes from England and means Worthy of Respect. The Worshipful Master is usually elected for a year. The office requires proficiency in the
Masonic Ritual and leadership ability. Once a Mason has been installed as Master of a Lodge, he becomes a Past Master signifying a honorable status in a Lodge; a title he will hold for the rest of his life. Other Officers in order of level are Senior and Junior Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, Chaplain, Marshal, Senior and Junior Deacons, Senior and Junior Stewards, and Tyler. The names of officers come from the sixteenth century.
Other organizations exist in the Masonic Family of organizations for Master Masons and their wives, daughters, mothers, etcetera. These organizations included the Order of the Eastern Star and the Amaranth. Organizations for youth include the International Order of Rainbow for Girls and the Job's Daughters for girls. The Order of De Molay exists for boys. The availability of these organizations depend upon the amount of interest that exist in communities and ability of Lodge Members to support such organizations.
Each state or country has autonomous Grand Lodges that govern respective Lodges in that area. There is not a national or international Masonic authority that governs the independent Grand Lodges. Each Grand Lodge in the world will monitor other Grand Lodges to ensure that they conform to Masonic Traditions. Masons may join other Masonic organizations such as the Scottish Rite, the various York Rite Organizations, and the Shrine after they become Master Masons. The "higher degrees" in these other Masonic organizations have national organizations that either direct or govern the state run bodies.
Although Masonic Lodges are religious in nature, Lodges do not sponsor or promote any religion. The Lodges
actually encourage men to be active in the religion of their personal choice. Masonic Legends indicate that
Masonic Lodges have existed since time immemorial, historical records indicate that Masonry existed since the
Renainnanse. The first Grand Lodge that still exists today began on Saint John the Baptist Day (June 24) in 1717 in London when four lodges came together. Grand Lodges on every continent of the world can trace their heritage to this Grand Lodge.
The principal officer in a Lodge is the Worshipful Master. The term Worshipful comes from England and means Worthy of Respect. The Worshipful Master is usually elected for a year. The office requires proficiency in the
Masonic Ritual and leadership ability. Once a Mason has been installed as Master of a Lodge, he becomes a Past Master signifying a honorable status in a Lodge; a title he will hold for the rest of his life. Other Officers in order of level are Senior and Junior Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, Chaplain, Marshal, Senior and Junior Deacons, Senior and Junior Stewards, and Tyler. The names of officers come from the sixteenth century.
Other organizations exist in the Masonic Family of organizations for Master Masons and their wives, daughters, mothers, etcetera. These organizations included the Order of the Eastern Star and the Amaranth. Organizations for youth include the International Order of Rainbow for Girls and the Job's Daughters for girls. The Order of De Molay exists for boys. The availability of these organizations depend upon the amount of interest that exist in communities and ability of Lodge Members to support such organizations.
