Freemasons are men constantly working to better themselves. The moment a man enters the fraternity and begins his journey through the degrees he enters a life-long quest seeking enlightenment through their teachings. Dissecting the philosophies of Freemasonry and incorporating them into one’s daily life requires time, but it also requires patience, inquisitiveness, and an industrious nature.
To successfully internalize Masonry’s lessons, a Mason must attend lodge and acquaint himself with ritual. He must familiarize himself with the degrees, get to know and bond with his Brothers, and live the values of Freemasonry in his heart. Of course, with such a storied history and vibrant community of Masons around the world, many additional useful and illuminating resources are available for Brothers eager to deepen their studies into the fraternity.
Interested in continuing your Masonic education? We have provided a list of ways you can journey on in your pursuit for greater knowledge.
1) Pathfinder: The Journey of a Lifetime
When we launched our Path Forward program in 2017 and Journey On the campaign for Scottish Rite in 2020, we committed to providing new resources to help Scottish Rite Brethren better engage with the Craft. Today, we offer a robust website and online Member Center filled with educational and interactive materials to help Scottish Rite Masons continue their Masonic journey and explore our philosophies.
Now we launch Pathfinder: The Journey of a Lifetime. Pathfinder is a member-exclusive program designed to guide and support 32° Masons in their quest for self-improvement. By journeying through a system of “Waypoints” and “Mile Markers,” Scottish Rite Brothers can explore facets of the SRNMJ that they may have never encountered.
These activities will help you uncover the road that leads to the most personally fulfilling membership experience possible. With various paths to travel through, including everything from learning about SRNMJ history to participating in charitable events, you can participate in Pathfinder multiple times and continue to seek more light.
Learn more about Pathfinder and continue your personal journey through the Scottish Rite.
2) Register for the Hauts Grades Academy (HGA)
Members of the Scottish Rite, NMJ who are interested in continuing their Masonic education have exclusive access to our Hauts Grades Academy. This program is designed to help members dive deep into the rituals of the Scottish Rite, promoting a stronger understanding and connection to the teachings and philosophies of our fraternity.
Consisting of three exciting levels, members who complete the program earn the honor of becoming a Scottish Rite Hauts Grades Academic and may include the letters HGA after his name. Our Hauts Grades Academics also receives a certificate and HGA jewel upon completion of the program.
Our next class is coming soon - sign up to join the waitlist here.
The Valleys of the Scottish Rite hold what is called a “Reunion” several times a year, typically in the spring and autumn. A Reunion is the beating heart of 32° Scottish Rite Freemasonry. They are a chance for Scottish Rite Brothers to come together and continue their journey into the craft by witnessing the Scottish Rite degrees and explore more deeply the ethical teachings and philosophy of Freemasonry. Scottish Rite Brethren of the NMJ interested in attending a Reunion can find dates for their local Valleys on our degree dates page.
In addition, you may also experience the magic of Scottish Rite Reunion degree presentations at home through Thursday Night at the Rite! Now, you can continue your Masonic education from the convenience of your home as Brethren and candidates gather online to witness a variety of Scottish Rite degrees, engage in fraternal discussion, and much more.
4) Masonic must-reads
If you are looking to learn more about the history of Freemasonry or Masonic teachings and symbols, why not do it the old-fashioned way? Get started with a few of our favorites:
- Saint Edoüard: A 1748 Masonic Scottish Lodge During the French Enlightenment: Ever wondered what it was like to be one of the first Freemasons in Europe? Thanks to the new publication by Brother Kamel Oussayef, 33°, MSA, DSA, you now have a chance to feel as though you were there during the genesis of 32° Scottish Rite Freemasonry.
- The Lost Keys of Freemasonry: In this classic, Bro. Manly P. Hall writes about the history and the spiritual side of the Craft, as well as the ethical training and character traits that a Mason builds within himself on his journey toward more light. This is a great read for those seeking more insight into the teachings from the three blue lodge degrees.
- A Sublime Brotherhood: Two Hundred Years of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction: For those Brothers interested in learning about this appendant body of Freemasonry, look no further. This text offers an immersive glimpse into our history, dating back to our founding two centuries ago and our evolution into one of the most popular American fraternal groups during the 20th century.
Eager for more options? Read our blog The Top 10 Masonic Books for Your Lodge Book Club for a comprehensive list of some of our favorite titles!
5) Subscribe to a New Masonic Podcast
In recent years, podcasts have become a mainstream source of information for people interested in any and every topic broad or narrow in its appeal. Freemasonry, of course, is no exception. Today, there are numerous podcasts covering a wide range of Masonic topics; we have included a few of our favorites below to help get you started.
- Whence Came You: Launched in 2011, this weekly show is hosted by Robert Johnson and covers ancient Masonic papers, famous Freemasons, and their impact on the craft.
- The Freemason Podcast: Told from the eyes of real Freemasons over a couple of beers, this show covers a variety of topics such as Masonic symbolism, and conspiracies.
- The Tyler’s Place: Hosted by our friends in the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, this monthly show is a collection of stories, lessons, and interviews by Masons, for Masons, and about Masons. Hosted by Bro. Maynard Edwards, each episode discusses a new topic on Freemasonry to help listeners learn more about our traditions
6) Visit a Masonic Museum or Memorial
The Masonic Temple and Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania
Many institutions across the globe are dedicated to preserving the history of our great fraternity. Housing vintage artifacts, old photographs, and more, a visiting Brother is sure to learn a great deal about our legacy from any one of these stops.
- The Masonic Temple and Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania: A charity of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania resides in the Masonic Temple of Philadelphia and was constructed in 1873. It is home to amazing Masonic artifacts of Freemasonry, including thousands of texts and objects relating to the history of the fraternity and the founding of the United States.
- George Washington Masonic National Memorial: Perhaps the most popular destination for American Freemasons in the United States, this memorial not only contains an active Masonic temple, but a performing arts center, Masonic museum, and much more. Named after Brother and President George Washington, the cornerstone of this building was dedicated during a Masonic ceremony in 1923. Harboring many breathtaking artifacts, this monument is not to be missed by any American Mason hungry to learn about the history of our fraternity and country. You can take a virtual tour of the Memorial here.
- Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library: The Scottish Rite, NMJ’s very own Masonic Museum & Library in Lexington, MA was established in 1975. Also home to the Supreme Council HQ, this “historical society” of American Freemasonry is on a mission to collect, preserve, interpret, and celebrate the history of fraternalism.
The Museum houses more than 17,000 objects related to American Freemasonry, fraternalism, and American history while The Van Gorden-Williams Library & Archives has one of the world’s most comprehensive collections on American Freemasonry. The collection contains over 60,000 books and 2,000 cubic feet of archival materials related to Freemasonry, fraternalism, and American history.
Learn about more educational Masonic museums and memorials in our blog posts, Interesting Masonic Buildings Around the World and Masonic Museums & Libraries to Visit in the U.S.