If you are a Master Mason of a Lodge recognized and in amity with the
Conference of Grand Masters of North America, you can petition to
become a Noble
of the Mystic Shrine.
Just obtain the petition for initiation and membership from your local Shrine
Temple, or download it in pdf format.
Petition for
membership in
Bahia Shrine
Petition for membership in a Masonic Lodge in Florida
The Shrine of North America is a fraternity that grew out of Freemasonry over a century ago. Because of this, the Shrine is dedicated to Masonic principles. The Shrine Fraternity provides Masonic brothers a means to widen the fellowship first enjoyed in the Blue Lodge. It also offers men, their wives and their families an opportunity to meet new friends who have similar interests, tastes and feelings.
Freemasonry is the oldest, largest, and most widely known fraternal organization in the world. It dates back hundreds of years to when stonemasons and other craftsmen on building projects gathered in shelter houses or lodges. Through the years these gatherings changed in many ways until formal Masonic lodges emerged, with members bound together not by trade, but by their own wishes to be fraternal brothers.
Shriners are distinguished by an enjoyment of life in the interest of philanthropy. The approximately 500,000 member organization has a buoyant philosophy which has been expressed as "Pleasure without intemperance, hospitality without rudeness and jollity without coarseness."
Shriners are men who enjoy life. They enjoy parades, trips, circuses, dances, dinners, sporting events and other social occasions together. Furthermore, Shriners support what has become known as the "World's Greatest Philanthropy," Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Through fellowship and philanthropy, Shrinedom strengthens the soul and adds inner meaning to daily life. It thus spreads a glow of joy through one's entire family.
Men from all walks of life and all levels of income find fun, fellowship and relaxation in their local Shrine Temple and its activities. There are also regional Shrine Clubs in many communities. Family picnics, dances, parties and scheduled trips to near and far are just a few of the activities available.
For the Shriner desiring even more activity, there are various Units that he can join, such as drum & bugle corps, Oriental bands, motor corps, horse patrols, and clown units. Every effort is made to ensure that a Noble has a variety of activities from which he may choose.
There are 191 Shrine Temples, or chapters, located in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Panama. Informal Shrine Clubs are located all around the world.
As a member
of the Shrine of North America, you are eligible to receive discounts and
services. By using your Shrine dues card GREAT benefits are available to
you. Click on the link above to check them out.
If you hold the Master Mason degree in Freemasonry, you qualify and are invited to join the Shrine. A man receives the three degrees known as the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason Degrees in the Masonic Lodge, often known as the Symbolic Lodge, Blue Lodge or Craft Lodge. In Freemasonry, there is no higher degree than that of Master Mason (the Third Degree).
In many parts of North America, Masonry does not solicit members. In these areas, no one is asked to join, and a man must seek admission of his own free will - he must ask. In some areas, Masons are permitted to solicit new members. In all cases, a man interested in becoming a Mason, if he has not been asked, should consult a friend whom he believes to be a Freemason to secure his good counsel and recommendation concerning this important undertaking.
For men who would like to receive additional instruction and explanation regarding the allegory and symbolism learned in the Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite or the York Rite bodies elaborate on the basic tenets of Freemasonry.
Did you know there are almost 2 million
Blue Lodge
Masons in the United States?
Did you
know there are less than half a million
Shriners in the United States?
That means there are one and a half
million Masons out
there that have not had the pleasure of
being a member of the
Greatest Fraternity on the
face of the earth.
How many can you find?
Membership
Membership
Here is one of many letters from Shriners to
the
Office of Membership
Development in Tampa
This one from Noble Dominic Paddock Sr. of Sphinx Shriners in
Newington, Connecticut.
"A little over a year ago, my 8 year old son and I had the opportunity to visit the Shrine Hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts. The center was amazing and the people very kind and helpful to us. We took the tour of the facility, and on our rounds about the building we got to meet 3 of the young people that were being treated there. My son got to actually play with these boys (one of whom spoke no English) and even got to try out a specially made bicycle by invitation of the boy who was riding it. Needless to say, my son was elated. He got to experience first hand what adjustments these children sometimes have to make in order to do the things most kids take for granted.
After our visit, as we were on the way back, my son asked me why those kids seemed so happy, even though they have things so "bad", and were in the hospital. I told him that it was because the care they received at the Shrine hospital was so very good, and the caregivers actually DO CARE! He then asked me why I was not a Shriner, since I care about kids. I gave him the typical "because I already belong to everything else, and don't have the time" excuse. He then asked me if he could be a Shriner, because he cares about kids and does have the time. Three months later, I was a Shriner. I have to say that it is a humbling experience when an 8 year old child is willing to give up his own time to do something we all should MAKE time to do.
My son, and his heartfelt regards for those kids, and the 'rude awakening' I was given by my son's comments, are why I am a proud Shriner today."