Kansas Mason

Masonic Titles of the Blue Lodge

By Mikel J. Stoops

On almost every Masonic form, there seems to be a space for “Masonic Title.” Being involved with the registration process for Grand Lodge events, I have seen that there is quite a bit of confusion as to what the correct Masonic titles are when we refer to ourselves, let alone talk about other members in our Lodges. There are only four Masonic titles that are in common use in Kansas Craft Lodges. They are Brother, Worshipful, Right Worshipful, and Most Worshipful. That is all of them. When asked for your Masonic ttle, you are not being asked to provide the office you currently hold or previously held. You are being asked to provide one of those four previously listed titles so that you may be appropriately introduced or otherwise identified. So who is entitled to which of these four? A Mason can ALWAYS be referred to as Brother. In Kansas, sitting Masters, Past Masters, and appointed Grand Lodge floor officers are given the title of Worshipful. If a Brother is not a Past Master and is appointed to a Grand Lodge officer position, he is only given the title of Worshipful during his time of service. Except those who have served as Grand Master, current and past elected Grand Lodge officers are given the title of Right Worshipful. Area Deputies, District Deputies, Grand Lecturers, and Grand Representatives are also afforded the title of Right Worshipful during their time of service. Some Grand Jurisdictions recognize positions such as Past Grand Lecturer or Past District Deputy. Kansas does not. Only the current and past Grand Masters are given the title of Most Worshipful.

Those are the basic hard facts regarding blue lodge titles, but here is my take on it. Though these titles are nice to use in more formal settings or when making official introductions, we should not get hung up on them. Remember that we are told that being a Master Mason is the highest achievement of a Mason and that a simple white lambskin is the highest honor that we can receive. So then, does it not stand to reason that the title of Brother is as good, if not better than, any other we could use? We should never take offense to the title of Brother when anyone, ourselves included, is introduced. “Brother” is how we were addressed by the Master of the Lodge moments after being obligated as an Entered Apprentice. “Brother” will be the last word our fellow Brothers use as they bid a final farewell at our Masonic funeral and place the evergreen with our remains. Alas, my Brother!