Freemasonry for the modern man
Let us repeat: Freemasonry has no other aim than to make a good man a better man. It offers meaning to those who seek it and strives to help the Mason in his pursuit of self-improvement, surrounded by other Brothers.
For many of our contemporaries, such an approach may seem strange, a waste of time, or even incomprehensible. Yet millions of Masons can testify that they are neither dreamers, mystics, nor naïve; traditional spiritual Freemasonry has brought them far more than they could have imagined. Far from distancing them from reality, it has enabled them to face it better—as more clear-sighted individuals, freer in spirit, more aware of their human condition and of the strength within them to share with others the light that shines within.
For the Freemason, it is a life’s work, the result of a journey that is, above all, personal and free. For the Masonic Order, it is an ongoing challenge whose relevance has remained undiminished for three centuries. Freemasons regard self-reflection as an essential step in the search for the meaning of life. Whilst drawing on the references of the past, Freemasonry certainly looks to the future! Just as a tree grows from its roots, so too, for Freemasonry, it is a commitment to tradition that drives human progress. The Freemason therefore does not live outside his time, nor is he indifferent to society.
Freemasonry strives to fulfill its role as an initiatory society by acting through its ritual and symbolism upon its members. It encourages them to follow a path of personal and moral progress conveyed by Initiation itself. This progress is linked to altruism, philanthropy, and fraternity, within a peaceful haven made sacred—from the opening to the closing of Lodge work—protected from the stress and troubles of everyday life. In the modern world, it offers a sanctuary of contentment and fraternal love.