MASONIC frequent flyers

At Ho me Around the World

The reach of Freemasonry is worldwide. Temples, statues, monuments, libraries and museums across the globe are dedicated to or inspired by the Craft and offer an awe-inspiring opportunity to further delve into the meaning, philosophies and history of the fraternity. Those who have incorporated visits to Masonic sites during their travels are left with much more than photographs.

Brother Bryan Hill, Barger Lodge No. 325, Stroudsburg, has traveled extensively to Masonic sites around the world, but it’s not the buildings that have left the biggest impression on him – it’s the people.

He’s primarily been to England and Scotland, and during Masonic Week, he has met Masons from all over the world. Masonic Week is a week reserved each year for Masonic appendant bodies, invitational groups, research organizations and others to hold their annual meetings, degree conferrals, elections, banquets, speeches and other activities. Hosted in Virginia, it attracts proactive Masons from around the country and the world, including many well-known researchers, authors, editors and other personalities. Bryan, who currently serves as the Great Prior of the Great Priory of America, CBCS, has interacted with Masons from Switzerland, Germany, France, Greece, Portugal, Iceland, Australia, Togo (West Africa) and Brazil. He and his wife even hosted Victor Julian Avila Ametller, the director of the National Masonic Museum of Cuba, at their home at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown.

“I’ve found that wherever I’ve traveled, wherever I’ve met Masons from other countries, it’s such a fantastic experience to know there are brothers like yourself around the world. When you meet another Mason, you’re equal,” he said. “There are no ranks, no classes. You’re just a Mason.

We all adhere to the same idea that brotherhood is very important to us, especially towards charity and towards your brothers, and that’s always struck me the way they’re very hospitable.”

As Bryan shared at a meeting of the Great Priory of Belgium, “We’re all a part of the worldwide brotherhood of Freemasonry.”

One of the friends he met at Masonic Week took him to visit his lodge during one of Bryan’s trips to England. The lodge building, located in Lewes in South Sussex, was built right into a castle wall. It’s home to several lodges, including the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, or women in Freemasonry.

The most impressive Masonic place Bryan has seen is Freemasons’ Hall on Great Queen Street in London, particularly its beautiful library and museum. He was the only Mason among his tour group, and after the tour, he was invited to talk with some of the other tour guides who were Masons.

He and his wife, Eileen, also had the opportunity to visit the Royal

Order of Scotland and the first purposely built lodge room in the world in the Chapel of St. John.

The room included an organ, and having been the organist for her church, Eileen was invited by the Grand Secretary to play it. When she was done, the Grand Secretary told them Mozart once played the organ when he visited the lodge.

“That was a magic moment that I will never, ever forget,” Bryan said. “And, of course, she HAS washed her hands since.”

Masonic Tour Guide

Brother Daniel Hanttula, Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, has made Masonic sites such a priority in his travels, he decided to publish a book highlighting popular and obscure spots and everything in between. He’s on Volume 3 of “The Masonic Tour Guide,” and runs The Masonic Tour Guide page on Facebook.

Daniel was previously in charge of information technology for a worldwide real estate company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany. During one of his trips overseas, he stopped in London to visit the Grand Lodge of England and wandered down the street to Mark Mason’s Hall on St. James Street, where he was warmly welcomed by the members. It triggered a desire to travel to other Masonic sites.

“I wrote ‘The Masonic Tour Guide’ books because I believe that Freemasons must travel and visit other jurisdictions to truly get the most out of membership,” Daniel said.

“Freemasonry allows us to communicate with men around the world to help meet, talk with and truly get to know people of all walks of life with vastly different viewpoints and a variety of religious beliefs.”

The books are also a way for him to publish historical Masonic information he has researched and to promote the diverse events and access to research materials the various Masonic organizations offer.

Volume 1 of Daniel’s books includes a list of the “Seven Wonders of the Masonic World.” These include the

George Washington National Masonic Memorial, House of the Temple, Iowa Masonic Library and Museum, Masonic Island, Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania (Masonic Temple in Philadelphia), the Masonic Temple in Detroit and the Grand Lodge of New York. See p. 10 for more about many of these Masonic sites.

“The top Masonic contenders around the world are typically respected for the fact that they aren’t just an ‘ornate auditorium’ but a façade that is truly beautiful, combined with physical beauty throughout the interior. It’s a very Masonic concept that we recognize the interior and not the exterior of a man, and the Masonic Wonders of the World should be no different. [Pennsylvania’s] Grand Lodge building is a perfect example, with lodge rooms based on themes of the ancient architectural world.”

Among the most interesting places Daniel has visited is the Grand Lodge of Ireland in Dublin. It has a room called “The

Council Chamber,” for Knight Masons (an invitational body of Freemasonry). The room recently underwent an incredible renovation to prepare for the 100-year anniversary of the organization. Members call it “the only one of its kind in the world,” and it is the exclusive venue of the organization that was established by the Grand Lodge of Ireland in 1923.

Of the many fascinating facts Daniel has learned along the way, one of his favorites is where you can find the world’s largest square and compasses: the home of the International Peace Garden Lodge of Freemasons, located in the International Peace Garden on the United States-Canadian border in Dunseith, North Dakota (pictured to the left).

Daniel encourages members to bring family and prospective members to see the sites open to the public as a way to introduce people to Freemasonry.

“The ultimate personal goal of Masonic travel is to connect with like-minded men, and the sublime goal of our Order is to use that connection to improve upon what we do,” Daniel said.

Visitor Protocol And Dress Code

Prior to traveling to any Masonic lodge or Grand Lodge building, event or meeting, check for any visitors’ protocols or dress code. In order to visit lodges and Grand Lodges in other jurisdictions, members are encouraged to request an official Travel Commission from the Grand Master, as issued by the Grand Secretary’s office. A Travel Commission is only valid if it bears the original signatures of the Grand Master and Grand Secretary and the impressed Seal of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

You can request a Travel Commission online by visiting PaGrandLodge.org/member-services. Allow three to four weeks for processing and delivery.

What is a Charitable Gift Annuity?

A charitable gift annuity (CGA) is a contract between you and Masonic Charities; in exchange for your charitable gift, we agree to pay you a fixed income for your lifetime. Upon your passing, the annuity ceases, and the remaining principal is used to further our mission.

Benefits of a Charitable Gift Annuity

• Lifetime income and financial security

• Attractive payment rates

• Opportunity to support our work

How Does the Charitable Gift Annuity Work?

A CGA is a simple written agreement signed by you and the Masonic Charities.