Freemasonry is considered by many as the world's oldest Fraternity. Scholars dispute its true origin but most agree that at least some of its history and tradition date to antiquity. Its singular purpose is to make good men better. Its bonds of friendship, compassion, and brotherly love also known as the "Mystic Tie", are unique to Freemasonry and survived even the most divisive political, military, and religious conflicts through the centuries.

There are more than 4 million Masons world-wide and they come from virtually every walk-of-life, social class, occupation and profession but nevertheless as they enter the Masonic Lodge they are all equal.They come from diverse and sometimes opposed political ideologies, but nevertheless they are all friends. They come from almost every religious faith, but they all believe in one God.

Many of our nation's founding fathers were Freemasons. Among them George Washington, the Marquis de LaFayette, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Paul Revere, John Paul Jones and many others. Thirteen signers of the Constitution were Masons. Fourteen Presidents and 18 Vice-Presidents were Masons. Five Chief Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court were Freemasons, as well as the majority of the Supreme Court Justices, Governors of States, of members of the U.S. Senate, and a large percentage of members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Internationally, famous Masons included Simon Bolivar, James Boswell, Robert Burns, Edward VII, Giuseppe Garibaldi, George VI, Goethe, Rudyard Kipling, Haydn, Mozart, Will Rogers, Sir Walter Scott, Jean Sibelius, Voltaire, and many others.

You must be a male, and at least eighteen years old to apply. Only individuals of the finest character with no criminal record are favorably considered for membership. Every applicant must also declare his belief in the existence of a Supreme Being.

In short: Ask one to be one. This means that one must ask a Mason to recommend him for membership. He then signs a petition, stating his age, occupation, and place of residence and a specailly assigned committee will investigate and interview the applicant and report their finding to the Lodge. Members will then vote by secret ballot on his acceptance and the vote must be unanimous. The process is not rushed and may take several months to complete but it does not impede the applicant from coming to open events or social parts of the meetings. In fact, such participation is highly recommended.

The name alludes to the place where Operative Masons sojourned or congregated while working on a building. Most Masonic Lodges in our times, meet at least one evening a month formally to conduct their regular business and vote on petitions for membership. It is here that the bonds of friendship and fellowship take place. The Village Lodge meets two times a month formally and one or two times informally for social and/or educational purposes.

Our Lodge was named Village for the village of Miami Shores in Dade County, Florida where it is located.

The Village Lodge stresses brotherhood, charity and spirituality but most of all it is dedicated to education. Every regular meeting includes Masonic Education and a special Discussion Group, exclusively for Master Masons, was created as an additional venue to further knowledge and is open to Master Masons of all Lodges.

The meetings are of two kinds. An administrative one where issues related to the proper running of healthy Lodge are proposed, debated and voted on. The other kind is dedicated to Masonic education, our ceremonies and rituals. Both meetings are equally important and help keep the essential Harmony in our Fraternity. Many will make the analogy of the two meetings as to satisfying the needs of the body and the needs of the soul.

There are three Masonic Degrees, starting with the Entered Apprentice, continues to the Fellow Craft and concluding with the Third (or Master Mason's) Degree. The Degrees are formal, solemn rituals but also a memorable and enjoyable experience. It is within the Degrees that the principles of Freemasonry are taught and many Masons believe that no man who went through them remains the same person. Something very special is added to each individual character. Once a Master Mason, one is welcomed as a "Brother" in any of the thousands of Regular Masonic Lodges throughout the world.

The Masonic oath is a solemn promise by Masons to adhere in their conduct in lodge and society to the Masonic principles and values, not to disclose any details whatsoever of the rituals and ceremonies involved in admitting members, nor the modes of recognition by which one Mason can know another.

Freemasonry is not a religion.It is a man-made, not a divine creation. The teachings of the Fraternity transcend all denominational and sectional divisions. It has no creed or dogma, no sacraments nor means of of salvations and promotes no specific religious belief or faith whatsoever.

Freemasonry is not a political organization, nor does it get involved in politics. In fact, politics, like religion are the two critical subjects a Mason is not allowed to discuss in Lodge.

Freemasonry is not a secret society. It is a society with secrets.

Freemasonry does not promote personal interests of any kind. Though its members are always ready to extend a helping hand to any worthy Brother or any other person, in distress.

There were and are endless speculations about "the secret". To some it is a material secret buried in an undisclosed place. To others, it is an esoteric secret, a "Word" that once known can shake the world. Some will claim that there are no secrets at all and others still will cite: "Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear" (Jeremiah 5:21)
Yet, others will say, that Masonic secrets are there but are not received, they can only be achieved, and just as many may quote Lao-Tse: "Those who know don't tell and those who tell don't know".