 |
Freemasonry in Manitoba
The presence of Freemasonry in the Red River Settlement may be traced back to John Palmer Bourke who arrived with the second group of settlers in the summer of 1813. He had arrived at York Factory the previous year and, because of their late arrival, had been forced to winter-over at that desolate place until the following spring. He was a survivor of the Seven Oaks Massacre. Following that battle he was arrested by the North West Company on the charge of having participated in the destruction of Fort Gibraltar and taken to Montreal for trial. While there he became a member of Wellington Persevering Lodge No. 20 on the Register of Lower Canada. He died just a few short years prior to the formation of Northern Light Lodge which took place in the fall of 1864. Among the founding members of this Lodge were John Schultz, who was later to become Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Manitoba, A.G.B.Bannatyne, a prominent merchant, and William Inkster. The formation of this Lodge was the beginning of organized Freemasonry in the Red River Settlement and, ultimately, in the Prairie provinces of Canada.
(Click here to read more on the history of Freemasonry in Manitoba)
Today the 4,000 members of the Craft meet in the 54 Lodges spread out throughout Manitoba to: practice their ancient ritual, study the symbolic meaning and history of the Craft and meet to determine ways or means to improve themselves and contribute to their community. Some of the better-known public initiatives within Manitoba:
- The Masons Care program - a shuttle service for cancer patients established in Winnipeg and Brandon;
- The Kids ID program- helping parents ID their children;
- The Masonic Foundation of Manitoba Charity - which raises and distributes $50,000 annually to charitable causes;
Our Vision
Freemasonry in Manitoba will be the preeminent fraternal organization committed to improving good men through fellowship, leadership and education.
Our Mission
To teach and perpetuate a fraternal way of life of high moral standards through self-improvement, brotherhood, community involvement and benevolence.
The History of Freemasonry
“The origin of Freemasonry is one of the most debated, and debatable, subjects in the whole realm of historical inquiry. One has to distinguish between the legendary history of Freemasonry and the problem of when it actually began as an organized institution. According to Masonic legend, Freemasonry is as old as architecture itself.”
Prof. Francis A. Yates
The Rosicrucian Enlightenment
The origins of modern Freemasonry are rooted in the 12th century medieval craft guild associations though traces of ritual and symbols appear to be far more ancient traced to ancient cultures in Greece, Egypt, Israel and Asia Minor.
Modern Freemasonry, approximately 800 years old in its current form evolved from the ancient architects & stonemasons who were operative and speculated or imbued early structures with biblical, symbolic and sacred geometric metaphors. Modern ceremonial Freemasonry gradually emerged in France and the British Isles. In the course of the 18th century this newer form of ceremonial Freemasonry spread across the world to all continents including Canada with approximately 5 million Freemasons globally today. Some of the earliest traces of Craft Freemasonry in Canada may be found in the Maritimes and Quebec and date to 1600.
What are Freemasons and What do they Believe?
Freemasons are composed of people of all nationalities, religions, occupations and ages. Freemasons believe in truth, tolerance, respect, and freedom. Because of their belief in universal principles & freedoms Freemasons have been prosecuted and seen historically as threats by tyrants and despotic dictators. Intolerance towards Freemasons even emanated at one time from the Holy Roman Catholic Church. Freemasonry had been outlawed in Germany by Hitler and the Nazi's during WW II, by Mussolini in 1925, by Franco in Spain in 1941, suppressed by the Communists of Russia, Romania and Hungary, and in Iran by the Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979. The countries where Freemasonry openly exists are in counties that are tolerant and more or less democratic. Anyone may petition to be a Mason so long as they meet a few requirements:
- They must believe in a Supreme Being;
- Believe that some form of life exists beyond this current life;
- They must be a person of good moral standing and principles within their community.
Freemasons believe in “making good men better” which implies that its adherents should seek continual improvement and growth. A maxim in ancient Greece, “Man Know Thyself”, echoes in modern ceremonial Freemasonry and implies the importance of learning about self, for by becoming a more enlightened and principled individual it is most probable that a person will in turn be a contributing citizen to their society. It is important that a Mason be a good family member, friend, neighbor and employee. Freemasons believe in living a life of positive contribution and to the building up of self, society and the world. Masonry is not a substitute for persons chosen faith but rather supplements faith, life and living.
For more information on Freemasonry or becoming a Freemason:
Contact the Grand Lodge Office at 204.453.7410 or 1.800.665.2712
Or visit the Contact Page of our site
Some Famous Canadian Freemasons
Sir John A. MacDonald - First Prime Minister of Canada
John B. MacLean - Founder of MacLean's Magazine
John Molson - Founder of Molson Breweries
General James Wollfe
John D. Eaton - President, T. Eaton Company
Gordon Sinclair - Journalist, writer, CBC broadcaster
James A. Naismith - inventor of Basketball
Hart Massey - Founder, Massey Ferguson Equipment
John Deifenbaker - Prime Minister
Harold Ballard - Entrepreneur and businessman
Reveen - Canadian entertainer and hypnotist
Oscar Peterson - Musician
Duff Roblin - Manitoba Politician
Peter Lougheed - Politican/businessman
William Davis - Ontario Premier
Douglas Campbell - Manitoba Premier
Tim Horton - Hockey Star and Businessman
|
|
