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Post by hellius on Sept 5, 2010 9:20:44 GMT
But I am thinking of joining DeMolay.
The masons seems to be my kind of organization. Though I'm only 16, I've longed to be able to be of service to mankind in some way; to help people, to do... something that mattered. If this is the case as I have read, I'd love to be involved.
Problem is, I've recently entered college, so I don't know how busy I will be with my education.
Anything I should know? Any stories or any word of advice? I've contacted an adviser for the local chapter.
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Post by Leo on Sept 5, 2010 20:30:59 GMT
Hi and welcome.
It sounds like you have much to offer and DeMolay might be well worth considering, but as you seem to not yet know your schedule it might be best to wait before doing anything. However, there is no harm in learning what you can in the mean time.
Good luck to you in any event.
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Post by hellius on Sept 6, 2010 0:03:57 GMT
Hi and welcome. It sounds like you have much to offer and DeMolay might be well worth considering, but as you seem to not yet know your schedule it might be best to wait before doing anything. However, there is no harm in learning what you can in the mean time. Good luck to you in any event. Thank you. I'm turning 18 next year, so I could just as well wait and then try to join the masons. I was talking to a mason a day or so ago and he told me that DeMolay would burn me out, but whether or not this is the case is beyond me.
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Post by Leo on Sept 6, 2010 6:23:37 GMT
That's just his opinion.
In some locations, and indeed some jurisdictions one is required to be at least 21 before they can petition a lodge for membership. However, if you feel you're ready at 18 and a lodge close to you accepts applications from an 18 year old, then you may as well apply when of age.
My own son wants to join when he reaches 18, too.
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Post by jerohm on Sept 7, 2010 8:51:30 GMT
In my opinion, there is no age to become a freemason : it is just a question of maturity. Some people are ready at 18, and some 50 yo people would never be able to work efficiently with us... But young people have to know too that the masonic path is not an easy path, and maybe there are other priorities when we have 18. I join when I was 27, and it is rather young when we look around the age of our brethren... Sometimes, I think that I was too young... And paradoxally, sometimes I think that it would have been better to join younger ^^ I think too that freemasonry is mostly a work on ourselves. We often say, in LDH, that we work to the progress of Humanity (because every cofreemason is a part of humanity) : the younger we join, the more time we have to work this way
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Post by Leo on Sept 7, 2010 9:43:50 GMT
I agree. However, there needs to be a limit for when to join. My son turned 15 yesterday and although I personally feel he's mature enough I know some other youngsters of the same age and even older who do not come across as being ready to make such a life changing choice.
I was 48 years old when I petitioned.
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Post by jerohm on Sept 7, 2010 11:27:08 GMT
In France there was a sort of masonic association for freemason's children : one of my brethren (woman) was a member of it, but I don't know if it is still living. It was for 15-18, and they chatted about some symbolism and social questions. It was called "Les Cadets" or something like that. There is also "Clarté", an holidays center for 6-17 freemason's children and their friends. LDH is one of the founder members with GODF and GLDF. It takes place in Arfeuille, near Vichy in the center of France... If you can read French, the site : www.ujmclarte.asso.fr/index.phpA sort of great introduction to the "freemason way of life" (sorry, it is not exactly the topic...)
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Post by Leo on Sept 7, 2010 11:52:00 GMT
Thanks for that info. Incidentally, I do read and speak French to a fairly high degree; during the 80s I lived in Paris for 5 years, so had an opportunity to learn both Not sure if you are aware but I live in the south of Ireland and currently my wife and I [she is with LDH also] travel to the North of Ireland, is part of the UK where our Lodge is. It is 5 hours drive. Anyway, we learned some time ago that there is a sort of youth division where youngsters can get involved with LDH, but as this is only in the UK we didn't pursue it any further. If we were living nearer then most certainly we'd have wanted some of our kids involved. No doubt they'd have loved it
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Post by jerohm on Sept 7, 2010 12:06:51 GMT
Not sure if you are aware but I live in the south of Ireland and currently my wife and I [she is with LDH also] travel to the North of Ireland, is part of the UK where our Lodge is. It is 5 hours drive. Yes, I read something about it in a new topic... Could you explain me why LDH is not present is South Ireland ? There is no cofreemasonry lodge there ? Amazing ! I admire your courage... 5 hours drive... WOW ! In France, I don't know a lot of people who would accept to drive 5 hours to attend a meeting
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Post by Leo on Sept 7, 2010 12:17:52 GMT
Thank you.... Yes, we like our Co-Masonry here in Ireland.
We currently have two LDH lodges in Northern Ireland, but none here in the South.
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Post by hellius on Sept 8, 2010 5:00:54 GMT
I agree. However, there needs to be a limit for when to join. My son turned 15 yesterday and although I personally feel he's mature enough I know some other youngsters of the same age and even older who do not come across as being ready to make such a life changing choice. I was 48 years old when I petitioned. What constitutes maturity? To successfully undertake the masons, how should I be emotionally/mentally?
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Post by Leo on Sept 8, 2010 6:41:02 GMT
In this sense maturity is having the ability to understanding and appreciate what one is getting into; some will simply be ready for Masonry at an earlier age than others, some won't. One's age is not always an indicator of maturity.
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Post by aogop on Sept 17, 2010 19:01:31 GMT
Hellius, I am a Senior Demolay and current advisor of my Chapter, as well as member of their sponsoring body. DeMolay is a great organization, and should you eventually join-then later become a mason you will find *many* similarities between both organizations. DeMolay is very much set up as a prepartory group for Freemasonry and will absolutely help you in the future should you eventually petition a lodge. The memorization, public speaking and the working of Robert's Rules alone give DeMolays a *huge* leg up in Freemasonry.
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Post by hellius on Oct 4, 2010 0:16:11 GMT
Thank you for this introspection.
Sorry I haven't been around in awhile; I just started attending college so my time has been readily consumed by my educational establishment.
How busy is the typical DeMolay chapter? I want to be able to devote my time to the organization but still be able to stay ahead in my studies.
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Post by aogop on Oct 5, 2010 1:28:16 GMT
Ill send you a PM
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