THE FREEMASONRY
The Freemasonry is a discrete society where decent free
men calling each other brother, exalt Liberty, Fraternity
and Equality among people. Their principles are
Tolerance, Philanthropy and Justice. Its secret character
was due to persecution, intolerance and lack of freedom
of some regimes of the past. Today with democratic winds
blowing, masons prefer to be kept in a discrete position
spreading themselves all over the world.
To be part of this society its members are accepted by
express invitation and in a cerimony called initiation
they become members of this universal fraternity.
This procedure has been repeated along the centuries
without alteration and has a beautiful meaning, making
the beginner deeply meditate on the philosofical
principles that have always unrested humanity.
The neophyte entries the Order with the Novice degree. As
he acquires knowledge and instruction he rises to the
degree of fellowmember and after a period of studies
reaches the highest degree of the simbolism which is
Mason Master.
Freemasons gether in a place called lodge where their
rituals are practiced. Those are directed by an
experienced Mason Master known as Venerable Master. Their
cerimonies are always performed in honor of and praising
God, whom they call The Great Architect of the Universe
(G .'. A .'. D .'. U .'.). Their instructions are
transmitted through simbols, giving profound knowledge
according to the intelectual level of each individual.
The simbols are taken from the first masonic
organization, from ancient cathedral building masters.
Maçon in French means stoneworker. Due to this fact we
find rules, dividers, squares, plumbs, chisels and other
artifacts used in the Real Art, that is, instruments used
by Cathedral and Castle Master builders which are
employed to transmit instrucions.
Due to its versatile knowledge, the Freemasonry searches
in varied sorces its truth and experiences, showing
universal character in its doctrine.
The Freemasonry is not a religion for the fundamental
objective of any religious society is the Divinity
worship.
Each Lodge is independent from the others in the
jurisdiction but are connected to a Grand Lodge or Grand
Orient and these are sovereign. Each Grand Lodge or Grand
Orient is called "Potency". This is a purely
administrative division, for the rules, regulations and
maximum laws called "Landmarks" are common to
all freemasons.
One of the basic Landmarks is that any man to be accepted
must believe in a creator principle, whatever his
religion. Its members profess most varied religions. The
Bible is used as the book of the law in Brazil because
most of its population is christian. In any other nation
the chosen book to have the place of honor in the temple
may be the Koran, the Talmud, the Book of Mohammed or the
Veda, all according to their religion.
In the introduction of the first Constitution published
by the Grand Lodge the principles upon which the Order is
based is clearly stablished:
- "The Freemasonry proclaims as it has
always proclaimed since its beginning, the
existence of a Creator Principle under the
denomination of Great Architect of the Universe;
"The Freemasonry does not impose any limit
to free investigation of the truth and in order
to guarantee this freedom it demands tolerance
from everyone;
"Freemasonry therefore, is accessible to all
men of all races and of all political and
religious creeds.
"Freemasonry forbids in its workshops all
political and religious discussions and welcomes
everyone, as simple as he may be, but with decent
behavior;
"Freemasonry has the scope to fight
ignorance in all its aspects;
"It is a mutual school that has the
following program: to obey the laws of the
Country;to live according with the rules of
honor, practice justice, love your neighbor,
continually work for the happiness of humankind
and to achieve its progressive and peaceful
emancipation."
Famous masons founded several organizations that
serve humanity, for example: Boy Scouts by Robert Baden
Powell, Rotary Club by Paul Harris, Lions Club by Melvin
Jones, the youth organization DeMolays by Frank Sherman
Land.
The independence of Brazil from Portugal was requested to
Prince Don Pedro, future Don Pedro I and officialy
decided in a masonis session on 20th August 1822. This
date is dedicated to the Brazilian Mason.
Field Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, initiated in the Lodge
"Rocha Negra" in São Gabriel, State of Rio
Grande do Sul, proclaimed the Republic in Brazil on 15th
November 1889.
Our Lodge Fraternity counted in its ranks with General
Manoel Luiz Osório, Marquis of Herval.