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The Holy Royal Arch is a degree of Freemasonry. It is present in all main masonic systems, though in some it is part of 'mainstream' Freemasonry, and in others it is an 'additional' degree.
In England, Scotland, Ireland, and most of Europe (including the masonically expanding states of eastern Europe) it is a stand alone degree.
A candidate for Exaltation into an English Holy Royal Arch Chapter is required to have been a Master Mason for four weeks or more. Once exalted a candidate becomes a companion, with Royal Arch meetings being described as a convocation.
The exact origins of the Holy Royal Arch are unknown except that it dates back to the mid 18th century.
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A Lodge is the basic organisational unit of Freemasonry. A Lodge must hold regular meetings at a fixed place and published dates. It will elect, initiate and promote its members and officers; it will build up and manage its property and assets, including its minutes and records; and it may own, occupy or share its premises.
A man can only be initiated, or made a Mason, in a Lodge, of which he may often remain a subscribing member for life.
A Master Mason can generally visit any Lodge meeting under any jurisdiction in amity with his own, and as well as the formal meeting, a Lodge may well offer hospitality.
A visitor should first check the regularity of that Lodge, and must be able to satisfy that Lodge of his own regularity; and he may be refused admission if adjudged likely to disrupt the harmony of the Lodge.
Obligations are those elements of ritual in which a candidate swears to abide by the rules of the fraternity, to keep the "secrets of Freemasonry" (which are the various signs, tokens and words associated with recognition in each degree), and to act towards others in accordance with Masonic tradition and law.
In regular jurisdictions these obligations are sworn on the aforementioned Volume of the Sacred Law and in the witness of the Supreme Being and often with assurance that it is of the candidate's own free will.
The fraternity is widely involved in charity and community service activities. In contemporary times, money is collected only from the membership, and is to be devoted to charitable purposes. Freemasonry worldwide disburses substantial charitable amounts to non-Masonic charities, locally, nationally and internationally.
Freemasonry explicitly and openly states that it is neither a religion nor a substitute for one. "There is no separate Masonic God", nor a separate proper name for a deity in any branch of Freemasonry.
Regular Freemasonry requires that its candidates believe in a Supreme Being, but the interpretation of this term is subject to the conscience of the candidate. Consequently, Freemasonry accepts men from a range of faiths, including (but not limited to) Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism.
As a result, Freemasonry uses Volume of the Sacred Law (VSL) as a generic term for a religious book. As UGLE-based Freemasonry also requires that a VSL be present on the Altar, many Lodges have multiple VSLs available, and a candidate can be obligated on his book of choice.
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The meeting places and halls used by Freemasons are readily identifiable, are listed in telephone directories and in many areas are used by the local community for activities other than Freemasonry. Freemasons' Hall in London is open to the public and 'open days' are held in many provincial centres.
The rituals and ceremonies used by Freemasons to pass on the principles of Freemasonry to new members were first revealed publicly in 1723. They include the traditional forms of recognition used by Freemasons essentially to prove their identity and qualifications when entering a Masonic meeting.
These include handshakes which have been much written about and can scarcely be regarded as truly secret today; for medieval Freemasons, they were the equivalent of a 'pin number' restricting access only to qualified members.
Many thousands of books have been written on the subject of Freemasonry and are readily available to the general public.
Freemasonry has no political agenda, and discussion of politics is not permitted at lodge meetings. Freemasonry offers spokesmen and briefings for the media and provides talks to interested groups on request. Freemasons are proud of their heritage and happy to share it.
Freemasonry naturally tends to attract those with a concern for people and a sense of social responsibility and purpose. There are members, therefore, who are involved in politics at local, national and international level. Equally there are members who take an active interest in non-Masonic charitable organisations and other community groups.
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Freemasonry in the local community
From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been involved in charitable activities, and since its inception it has provided support for many widows and orphans of Freemasons as well as others within the community.
All monies raised for charity are drawn from amongst Freemasons, their families and friends, while grants and donations are made to Masonic and non-Masonic charities alike.
Over the past few years alone, Freemasonry has raised more than £5m for a wide range of charitable purposes including those involved in medical research, community care, education and work with young people.
Freemasonry has an enviable record of providing regular and consistent financial support to individual charities over long periods while at the same time making thousands of grants to local charities, appeals and projects throughout England and Wales each year.
For the future, opportunities to obtain or provide matched funding are periodically examined with a view to enhancing the impact of the support Freemasonry can give to specific projects.
The personal generosity of Freemasons and the collective fundraising efforts of almost 8,000 lodges, however, will continue to determine the contribution Freemasonry makes within the community.
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Freemasonry in the local community
Freemasonry is an international and widely recognised fraternity which provides its members with the opportunity to embark on an amazing life-long journey of learning and self-discovery and of deepening personal moral strength and compassion.
Most Masons find the experience both challenging and rewarding and above all, enormously enjoyable.
Whilst dating back several centuries in this country no one knows exactly when Freemasonry, as we know it today, started.
However, the Craft on which it was founded - that of stonemasons - dates back thousands of years - recent examples of which can be seen everywhere, in our castles, churches, cathedrals, and other historic buildings.
The strict rules and guidelines that were used to train and develop young men into supreme masters of the stonemason's craft are used in Freemasonry - but now, in metaphorical form - to develop the character, values and spirit of the individual.
For Freemasonry expounds the art of self-discovery and continuous self-improvement; of using human virtues as templates, enabling men gradually to fashion, sculpt and craft themselves into better individuals from the inner person and hopefully, to become even more helpful, worthy and useful members of society.
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Freemasonry in the local community
We have strongly held views about our personal and collective responsibilities. In a changing world challenged by an erosion of values and personal conduct, we have an obligation, demanded by the precepts of Freemasonry, to always try to exercise and demonstrate honourable attitudes and creditable behaviour.
Our mission is to be good citizens by practising the highest moral and social standards in friendship, charity and integrity.
We are dedicated to making good men better and developing our knowledge of ourselves as individuals and the world around us through education, discussion and social exchange. We aim to make proper use of our time, dividing it between worship, work, leisure and service, thus making the best use of our mental and physical abilities.
We aim to use our talents for the benefit of ourselves, our families, our neighbours and our communities throughout our private, public, business and professional life. We declare our membership whenever any possible conflict of interest may arise or be perceived to arise.
R.A. Meetings and Installations
STAR OF GWYNEDD CHAPTER, No. 384
MASONIC HALL, BANGOR
Days of Meeting - Fourth Wednesday in January, March, September and November.
Installation - November.
TOP
ST. CYBI
CHAPTER, No. 597
MASONIC HALL, HOLYHEAD
Days of Meeting -
Third Tuesday in October, January, March and
May.
Installation - May.
TOP
SEGONTIUM
CHAPTER, No. 606
MASONIC HALL, CASTLE STREET, CAERNARFON
Days of Meeting -
Second Thurday in March, April, October and
November.
Installation - April.
TOP
GOGARTH
CHAPTER, No. 755
FREEMASONS´ HALL, LLANDUDNO
Days of Meeting -
Third Wednesday in January, March, September
and November.
Installation - March.
TOP
WELCHPOOL CHAPTER, No. 998
MASONIC HALL, NEWTOWN
Days of Meeting - Fourth Thursday in March, April, October,
and Second Thursday in December.
Installation - October.
TOP
ROYAL
DENBIGH CHAPTER, No. 1143
DENBIGH MASONIC BUILDINGS, TOWER HILL, DENBIGH
Days of Meeting -
First Monday in October, December, February
and April.
Installation - April.
TOP
SIR WATKIN
CHAPTER, No. 1336
MAESGWYN HALL, MOLD ROAD, WREXHAM
Days of Meeting -
Second Tuesday in February, May, September
and November.
Installation - May.
TOP
MOLD
CHAPTER, No. 1477
MASONIC HALL, MOLD
Days of Meeting -
Second Thursday in March, May, September and
November.
Installation - May.
TOP
ST.ELETH
CHAPTER, No. 1488
MASONIC HALL, AMLWCH
Days of Meeting -
First Wednesday in April, Third Wednesday
in September, First Wednesday in November
and February.
Installation - April.
TOP
ERYRI
CHAPTER, No. 1509
MASONIC HALL, PORTHMADOG
Days of Meeting -
Third Thursday in March, May, September, and
November.
Installation - March.
TOP
CORBET
CHAPTER, No. 1583
MASONIC HALL, TYWYN
Days of Meeting -
First Tuesday in February, April, November
and December.
Installation - February.
TOP
CLWYD
CHAPTER, No. 1674
MASONIC HALL, RHYL
Days of Meeting -
Second Tuesday in February, April, October,
and December.
Installation - December.
TOP
ST. MARK´S
CHAPTER, No. 2423
FARFIELD HALL, CONNAH´S QUAY
Days of Meeting -
Third Tuesday in January, May, September,
and November.
Installation - November.
TOP
CONOVIUM
CHAPTER, No. 2569
MASONIC HALL, BAY VIEW ROAD, COLWYN BAY
Days of Meeting -
Third Wednesday in January, February, April and October.
Installation - October.
TOP
PEN-AR-LÂG
CHAPTER, No. 3273
MASONIC HALL, HAWARDEN
Days of Meeting -
Second Wednesday in January, March, September
and November.
Installation - November.
TOP
ST. WINEFRED´S
CHAPTER, No. 3753
MASONIC HALL, HOLYWELL
Days of Meeting -
Second Tuesday in January, March, September,
and November.
Installation - March.
TOP
ST. MELYD´S
CHAPTER, No. 3840
ST. MELYD´S HALL, MELIDEN, PRESTATYN
Days of Meeting - Third Tuesday
in January, March, September and November.
Installation - September.
TOP
WYNNSTAY
CHAPTER, No. 3876
MASONIC HALL, RUABON
Days of Meeting -
First Monday in April, June, October, December.
Installation - June
TOP
MONA
CHAPTER, No. 4086
MASONIC HALL, LLANGEFNI
Days of Meeting -
Second Monday in January, March, October,
December.
Installation - March.
TOP
BROMFIELD
CHAPTER, No. 4233
MAESGWYN HALL, MOLD
ROAD,
WREXHAM
Days of Meeting -
First Thursday, March, May, October, and December.
Installation - First Thursday in December.
TOP
MEMORY
CHAPTER, No. 4264
FARFIELD HALL, CONNAH´S QUAY
Days of Meeting -
Third Thursday in October, November,February,
and March.
Installation - Third Thursday in March.
TOP
PENMAENMAWR
CHAPTER, No. 4417
MASONIC HALL, LLANFAIRFECHAN
Days of Meeting -
Last Friday in January, February, October
and November.
Installation - October.
TOP
SINCERITY
CHAPTER, No. 4424
MASONIC HALL, COLWYN BAY
Days of Meeting -
First Tuesday in February, April, October,
and December.
Installation - April.
TOP
ST. TUDWAL´S
CHAPTER, No. 4433
MASONIC HALL, LLEYN STREET, PWLLHELI
Days of Meeting -
Third Thursday in October, December and March.
Installation - Second Thursday in May.
TOP
ST. COLLEN´S
CHAPTER, No. 4448
MASONIC HALL, LLANGOLLEN
Days of Meeting -
Fourth Wednesday in March, May, September
and November.
Installation - November.
TOP
GABRIEL
GOODMAN CHAPTER, No. 4533
MASONIC BUILDINGS, OLD CLOISTERS, RUTHIN
Days of Meeting -
Fourth Tuesday in January, March, September and November.
Installation - March.
TOP
FLINT CHAPTER, No. 4544
MASONIC HALL, FLINT
Days of Meeting -
First Friday in February, Second Friday in March, May and September.
Installation - September.
TOP
ELWY CHAPTER, No. 4721
MASONIC HALL, RHYL
Days of Meeting - Fourth Monday in October, November, January, February and March.
Installation - Fourth Monday in March.
TOP
SANT
GRWST CHAPTER, No. 4741
MASONIC
HALL, LLANRWST
Days of Meeting -
First Thursday in February, May, October,
and December.
Installation - May.
TOP
BEAUMARIS
CHAPTER, No. 5347
MASONIC
HALL, BEAUMARIS
Days of Meeting -
Second Tuesday in January, First Monday in
March, First Wednesday in September, Fourth
Wednesday in October.
Installation - First Wednesday in September.
TOP
KENYON
CHAPTER OF INSTALLED FIRST PRINCIPALS, No. 6210
FARFIELD HALL, CONNAH´S QUAY
Days of Meeting -
First Wednesday in June and First Monday in
November.
Installation - November.
TOP
WREXHAMIAN
CHAPTER, No. 6715
MAESGWYN HALL, WREXHAM
Days of Meeting -
Second Friday October, December, February,
and May.
Installation - October.
TOP
PLAS TEG CHAPTER, No. 6898
CAERGWRLE MASONIC HALL
Days of Meeting - Third Wednesday in September, November, February
and April.
Installation - September.
TOP
PILGRIM
CHAPTER, No. 6958
FREEMASONS´ HALL, LLANDUDNO
Days of Meeting -
First Wednesday in January, March, May, November.
Installation - March.
TOP
PENNANT
CHAPTER, No. 7384
LADY
AUGUSTA MASONIC HALL, MOSTYN
Days of Meeting -
First Monday April; Second Monday in June;
Fourth Saturday in September.
Installation - Fourth Saturday in September.
TOP
BUCKLEY
CHAPTER, No. 8154
MASONIC
ROOMS, MOLD
ROAD,
BUCKLEY
Days of Meeting -
Fourth Wednesday in January, March, September
and November.
Installation - September.
TOP
For further information, please contact the Provincial Office (Hint)
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The first condition of admission into, and membership of, the Order is a belief in the Supreme Being. This is essential and admits of no compromise.
The Bible, referred to by Freemasons as the Volume of the Sacred Law, is always open in the Lodges. Every Candidate is required to take his Obligation on that book or on the Volume which is held by his particular creed to impart sanctity to an oath or promise taken upon it.
Everyone who enters Freemasonry is, at the outset, strictly forbidden to countenance any act which may have a tendency to subvert the peace and good order of society; he must pay due obedience to the law of any state in which he resides or which may afford him protection, and he must never be remiss in the allegiance due to the Sovereign of his native land.
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We believe that all individuals are equal and dependent on each other; that they must be valued for their own merits regardless of factors such as race, national origin, religious creed, social status or wealth.
We respect the ideals and beliefs of others and endeavour to behave with kindness and understanding to all. We cherish all life and the well-being of all.
We consider charity as being goodwill to all. We care not only for Masons and their families, but also for the community as a whole.
We raise money for charitable purposes only from our own members, not from the general public. We give as generously as our wealth will allow and through voluntary work in the community.
We strive for truth and believe that nothing can justify the telling of lies or being untrustworthy. We treat everyone in an open and honest manner. To achieve and obtain the highest moral standards.
Our Objectives are to encourage members to serve their own religion and community. To demonstrate that we are a society of upright men. To enjoy each other's company and develop team spirit and fellowship.
We are concerned with human behaviour, especially the distinction between good and bad and right and wrong. We are taught to be aware that all individuals have a natural tendency towards both good and evil; to consider our options and choose the former.
We define our moral standards as: obeying the law of the land; working hard; living peaceably and creditably; acting honourably and with understanding and charity to all.
Freemasonry is not a religion, but is about man's relationship with man, there is no Masonic God. However, all Freemasons must declare a belief in a Supreme Being and we therefore have members of many faiths, including Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.
We are encouraged to practise our own religion, whatever faith it may be, and regard Freemasonry as a moral code subordinate to, but supportive of, that religion. We do not admit atheists or agnostics into Freemasonry.
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Freemasonry encourages us to fulfil our responsibilities to our family and ourselves, to our neighbours, and our country. To our Masonic Lodge and its members by attending regularly and participating in the ceremonies through which the high moral standards to which we aspire are reinforced.
By keeping the few traditional Masonic forms of recognition within the confines of the Lodge. By preserving harmony at our meetings and joining in the social activities.
We promise to support and serve our fellow members by respecting their family, defending their good character in their absence, and by keeping their confidences except anything contrary to the laws of our country or religion.
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The governing body of Freemasonry is The United Grand Lodge of England. For administrative purposes it divides the country into a number of 'Provinces'. We offer membership to men of any race or religion who are of good reputation and are not atheists or agnostics.
All applicants must confirm that they are aged 21 years or above and come forward voluntarily with no expectation of obtaining material advantage. We exclude from membership those Freemasons who abuse the trust placed in them in their public or private lives or who fail to uphold the rules of Freemasonry.
Our ceremonies contain dramatic presentations of moral lessons and include traditional passwords and signs of recognition which are only used in those ceremonies. Solemn promises are made which are no different from those taken elsewhere.
Traditional penalties from an earlier age which are symbolic, not literal, allude to the pain of conscience any honest man should feel at the thought of violating his word.
Our society is for men only but there is a parallel and totally independent Masonic organisation for women. Our social activities and our enjoyment of Freemasonry cannot be overemphasised. The objects of Freemasonry are serious but our members are ordinary, fun loving individuals who seek a good balance of life.
Most of our meetings include a social dimension where the focus is on good fellowship and enjoyment in the company of like-minded friends. Our family and friends are important to us and are actively encouraged to participate in our social activities.
We develop good team spirit and fellowship through all our activities and gain an understanding of the needs of others which in turn leads to an increased tolerance and respect. We therefore consider Freemasonry to be a way of life which, when practised, makes us good citizens.
Happiness is the outcome of such activity. It cannot be expressed in words but can only be experienced in the heart. As such it is sometimes described as the only true mystery of Freemasonry.
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The spirit of Freemasonry is embodied in these three great principles:
Brotherly Love
Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.
Relief
Freemasons are taught to practise charity, and to care, not only for their own, but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving, and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.
Truth
Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives. Freemasons believe that these principles represent a way of achieving higher standards in life.
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Being a Freemason is about a number of things. It provides guidance on the way to conduct one's life in a moral and ethical way.
It can also provide an active social calendar to the member who wants to meet new people. Whilst all lodges hold regular meetings, it is the global community of Masonry that many members find the most fulfilling.
A Lodge Meeting generally falls into two parts. Like any other society or organisation, there is the business of the Lodge to be taken care of. Minutes have to be read and approved.
The Brethren have to be kept informed of what is going on at Grand Lodge, Provincial Grand Lodge and at Lodge level, including reports from the Almoner on any sick or distressed brethren and their relatives and the Charity Steward regarding the Lodge's donations to various good causes.
New members have to be balloted for and the Worshipful Master, the Treasurer and Tyler have to be elected once a year.
The second part involves bringing new members into Freemasonry and progressing them through the various levels in a Lodge. This involves the members of the Lodge in what we call "ritual" really only a series of short plays leading the new member from a figurative birth as a helpless infant, through life's journey, to the end of life.
These plays are interwoven with the history of the building of the First Temple at Jerusalem by King Solomon, the first "Grand Master" and from whom all Masonic ritual has evolved.
A 'Festive Board' - a meal with wine available at which a few short toasts are given, generally follows every Lodge Meeting.
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Most Lodges have a program of social events during the Masonic season. The extent of the program varies from Lodge to Lodge.
Some have just the one event a 'Ladies' Festival' which is intended to thank the members' partners, and particularly the Worshipful Master's wife, for all the support that they have given throughout the year.
