Jump to an Organization
To suggest an addition or update, please contact the Indiana Grand Lodge Communications & Marketing Director
The York Rite
Masonic history, both real and legendary, has centered around the search for the true Word. The lessons taught in the Lodge leave the initiate with the sense of having almost, but not quite, discovered the much-to-be-desired object of his quest. The first steps to take along this road should naturally tie in closely and enrich the degrees you have already received. Such are the Chapter and Council degrees and the Orders of the Commandery in the York Rite. These Masonic degrees are not merely degrees, but are exemplifications of homely virtues often neglected and lost sight of in the busy lives we now live. See the links below for more information.
The Scottish Rite
The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite seeks to strengthen the community and believes that each man should act in civil life according to his individual judgment and the dictates of his conscience.
Scottish Rite Freemasonry is a way for the Mason to build upon the ethical teaching and philosophies offered in the Blue Lodge, which consists of the first three degrees of Masonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. The Scottish Rite continues these degrees, from 4° to 32°. While there is no degree ‘higher’ than that of a Master Mason, 32° Scottish Rite Masonry offers additional light to the studious Master Mason. Scottish Rite reveals a wealth of knowledge about Masonry not found in the other degrees. It seeks to enrich the philosophy of the Symbolic Lodge to help good men become even better. A Scottish Rite Freemason may obtain the 33° for outstanding service to the brotherhood.
Brethren of the Scottish Rite seek to:
-
Exault the dignity of every person, the human side of his daily activities, and the maximum service to humanity.
-
Aid mankind’s search in God’s universe for identity, for development, and for destiny, and thereby produce better men in a better world, happier men in a happier world and wiser men in a wiser world.
The Scottish Rite is one of the appendant bodies of Freemasonry that a Master Mason may join for further exposure to the principles of Freemasonry.
Additional degrees are sometimes referred to as appendant degrees, even where the degree numbering might imply a hierarchy. Appendant degrees represent a lateral movement in Masonic Education rather than an upward movement. These are not degrees of rank but rather degrees of instruction.
Visit the sites below for more information on the Valleys
Shriners International
Shriners International is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship, and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth. There are approximately 375,000 members from 191 temples (chapters) in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Panama.
Shriners International support Shriners Hospitals for Children, a one-of-a-kind international health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing specialty pediatric care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs. Since 1922, Shriners Hospitals for Children have significantly improved the lives of more than 865,000 children. The Shrine was originally founded in New York City in 1872.
Local Shrine Temples:
The Grotto
(visit the Grottoes of North America's website)
The man who comes to the Grotto had his Masonic origin in a Symbolic Lodge. Where he was taught to revere the name of God and pray for guidance. He came on through the degrees where his knowledge of the dignity of Masonry was expanded, and the Grotto was provided for him as a place where he might join with his brothers in letting human instincts for fun, pleasure, and amusement prevail.
The Grotto was not and is not a place for Masons to exercise practices that would not be tolerated in the Masonic bodies or which are taboo among gentlemen. The Grotto stands for all of Masonry and wholesomeness in life. It stands for letting in the sunshine on discouragement, grief, and woe, and it stands for substituting hope for despair at all times.
Without the formalities that attend the Degrees in Masonry, it brings members in close fraternal touch, and it breeds confidence among wearers of the Fez. The Grotto has always been made up of men from all walks of life …men you are proud to know …men who travel by preference along the sunny side of the street and who play a fair game all the time.
Membership in the Grotto gives a man the right to wear its emblem and to participate in its good work, as well as enjoy all its pleasures. For more information, click on the link below.
Tall Cedars of Lebanon
Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America is an appendant Masonic organization devoted to fostering friendship and fellowship among Freemasons and to all mankind.
With over 10,000 members with an unyielding commitment to provide a "place in the sun" for those many thousands of victims of neuromuscular diseases who, through their own means, may not be able to share and enjoy the experiences of life that we so often can take for granted.
Tenets:
To promote a stronger bond with ALL Freemasons and to further the goals and tenets of Freemasonry.
To find a cure for Muscular Dystrophy and neuromuscular diseases.
To recognize man's need for fun and relaxation among his family, friends, and neighbors...Thus
Creed:
"Fun Frolic & Fellowship"...we offer every Master Mason an opportunity to enjoy a fuller, more enriching life.