This page will be regularly updated with your questions. So please, If you have a question which you think is notcovered here, about the Grand Lodge of France, be sure to let us know. Thank you.

"What is the purpose of Masonry and of the Grand Lodge of France?"

The purpose of Masonry - and of the Grand Lodge of France - is to make good men who are capable of it, better. It achieves this by bringing together men of all faiths, races and social levels, who would never have met otherwise, and teaching them to esteem, respect and befriend each other, to tolerate each other's opinions even if they are different and improve themselves by learning from each other.
 

"What is the difference between the Grand Lodge of France and the other French Grand Lodges?"

The Grand Lodge of France, the oldest and the largest in membership of all regular Grand Lodges on the continent of Europe, will consider applications from any good and true men of good report, without discrimination of race, nationality, religion, origin, social status or wealth. It will only exclude political or religious extremists. Its inner workings are totally democratic: All its hierarchy is elected (or reelected) yearly, for a maximum of three years, by the representatives elected by the individual Lodges. The Grand Lodge of France works the three Craft (Blue) degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Exclusively male, it admits no women into its Lodges.
 

"What rite is worked at the Grand Lodge of France?"

As mentioned above, and like most Grand Lodges in the world, the Grand Lodge of France mostly works the three Craft (Blue) degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (A&ASR). However some Lodges work the Rectified Scottish Rite and some work Emulation, the latter in English.
 

"Is the Grand Lodge of France regular?"

According to the universally accepted definition of regularity, the Grand Lodge of France is regular: Financially independent, and independent of any other Masonic body, any Church and any political organization or system, it was founded by at least three lodges coming from a regular Grand Lodge. Its members are male only. They work a traditional ritual to the Glory of the Grand Architect of the Universe, in the presence of the S., the C. and the VSL, which in our Lodges is the Bible. Political and religious discussions are prohibited.
 

"Is the Grand Lodge of France recognized?”

Like any other Grand Lodge, the Grand Lodge of France is recognized by some regular Masonic bodies and not by others. Before visiting, check with your Grand Secretary's office.
 

"What happens during a Masonic meeting at the Grand Lodge of France?"

The Officers, the members of the Lodge - and any visitors from other Lodges - open the meeting with a very ancient ritual ceremony, inspired by Biblical texts and the ceremonies of the ancient Operative Masons. This ritual marks the distinction between the sound and fury of the outer world - and the Masonic world where tolerance, serenity and brotherly love should reign. The opening is followed by an original lecture or paper, prepared and presented by a member of the Lodge or by a visitor, on a Masonic, historical, spiritual, philosophical or symbolic subject, occasionally even a scientific or litterary one. The paper or lecture is followed by a very disciplined discussion, where no one raises his voice or interrupts anyone else. During this discussion and taking turns, the Brethren ask questions, comment, bring additional clarifications or simply give their opinion on the subject. At the end of the discussion, a Lodge officer called an "Orator" draws the conclusions of the paper or lecture and of the ensuing discussion. Follows a closing ritual ceremony, marking the return to the outer world. Thereafter the Brethren share a meal together.
 

"What does a Mason do in his day-to-day life?”

A Mason of the Grand Lodge of France does the same things as anybody else, he works, he takes care of his family, he reads, he goes out, he has fun, he relaxes, he eats, he sleeps. However, both at work and with his family and friends he tries to put into practice the Masonic principles of tolerance, honesty, goodness and spiritual and intellectual open-mindedness.
 

"What are the charitable activities of the Grand Lodge of France?"

France is a "welfare state" where most charitable activities, as well as those pertaining to hospitals and medical care in general, are run by the government and financed by the taxes we pay. So, comparatively to the USA for instance, our charitable activities are limited to Masonic orphanages, old age homes and helping the unemployed.
 

"Why the secrecy observed at the Grand Lodge of France, in French Masonry and in continental European Masonry in general?"

The reason is prudence. This is the general case in continental Europe, as well as in the political or religious dictatorhips which still exist in other continents. Outside the USA, England, and a very few other countries, Freemasonry has been persecuted for centuries by governments which didn't accept that men of different religions and social status might meet to learn from each other and to talk about brotherly love, relief and truth. During the 20th century, about sixty thousand Masons have been imprisoned, deported and killed in Europe by leftist and rightist dictatorships. Is it still surprising that we are cautious?
 

"Beyond your general secrecy and caution, why do you have "secrets" and what are they?"

We have very few real secrets. The first one is the experience of Initiation, which is a secret because it cannot be described in mere words even if we wanted to. Another secret has to do with the Masonic membership of others. While we are free to disclose our own membership, we swear not to disclose the Masonic quality of anyone else. Also secret are the means which allow us to recognize each other as Masons and avoid being infiltrated. Again, a matter of caution in case of returning persecution. Finally, it's not so much the secret which matters but knowing how to keep a secret.
 

"Must one believe in God to be a Mason at the Grand Lodge of France?"

Masonry is not a religion. The Grand Lodge of France and its Lodges work to the Glory of the Grand Architect of the Universe, whom our rituals interpret as a "Creator Principle" in accordance with the tradition of the A&ASR (the equivalent of the "Supreme Being" in other rites). Our candidates are not expected to be members of specific religions and may, in their hearts, call the Grand Architect God, Allah, Elohim, Jesus, Buddha, Creator Principle, Supreme Being or any other name, because no one demands to know the exact meaning they give to this term. In this way they enjoy complete religious freedom. However, it remains obvious that one cannot claim to be on a spiritual search without believing in the existence of a spiritual world.
 

"Is it true that you are excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church?"

We have never been actually excommunicated, the old Canon Law on the subject having never been applied in France. Famous Catholic clerics have been Freemasons. Since 1981, the new Canon Law does not mention Masonry any longer, only "organizations which plot against the Church", which obviously is not the case of the Grand Lodge of France.
 

"Is the Grand Lodge of France a cult?"

Cults take individuals and tear them away from the world and their loved ones. The Grand Loge of France offers individuals the material, the tools and the methods to become better members of society. Another characteristic of cults is that it is very easy to join one, but very difficult to leave. At the Grand Lodge of France it is challenging and difficult to join, but very easy to leave. Also, sects have dogmas, "gurus" and "teachers". The Grand Lodge of France does not.
 

"Why do you oppose the Pope's visits to France?"

This is not true of the Grand Lodge of France which, getting involved in neither religion nor politics, neither supports nor opposes such visits about which it has no judgment to make.
 

"I'm not yet sure that I want to apply, but I would like to meet Freemasons to talk about it. Can you help me meet some?"

Yes. Come to the public lectures of the Grand Lodge of France, you will meet many Masons, including the lecturers.
 

"How can I join the Grand Lodge of France?”

Ask a Mason friend or write to the Grand Secretary's Office, Grand Lodge of France, 8 rue Puteaux, 75017 Paris, France.