Jaclyn Guzmán
Staff Writer
The Masonic Lodge of Eagle Pass will be hosting an open house on Sunday for those who are interested in learning more about the organization.
Mason Skip Edwards hopes to grow interest to continue the rich history the organization has not only in the US and Texas, but also in Eagle Pass.
“We hope to perpetuate that, to be able to serve our community and our country, just as our founding fathers did,” said Edwards. “I’m really proud to be in the lodge. I know this community owes a lot to the masons gone before us. A lot of the early men in this community were masons, and a lot of what we have now we owe to them.”
It is required of anyone who wishes to join to ask a member for help, hence the motto “ask one to be one.”
“It’s really open to anyone, the thing is we don’t recruit members so if they’re interested they need to ask one of the local members,” said Edwards. “In order to be in the lodge, you need to ask someone who is already there, then there’s an interview process, then after you’re accepted, members are initiated.”
Members then pass through three degrees, including the entered apprentice degree, the fellow craft degree, and the masters degree, said Edwards.
“They’re similar to other trade organizations, whether its stone cutters, brick layers, carpenters, or electricians,” said Edwards.
Faith plays a big role in the organization who are involved in various charitable events and donations.
“The requirements really are we believe first in god, the fatherhood of god, the brotherhood of man, and the immortality of the soul, so in order to even be considered to become a mason, you have to believe in god,” said Edwards. “After that we care for each other and try to do work in the community.”
Men 18 and older are encouraged to visit with the local masonic chapter to learn more about the group and what they do for the community.
The open house will be held at the Masonic Lodge, located at 2081 Flowers Street on October 23, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The group meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m.