Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Shriners?
The Shriners are a
brotherhood or fraternity of men...dedicated to fun and fellowship...but with a
serious purpose.
Shriners
are distinguished by an enjoyment of life and a commitment to philanthropy.
They enjoy parades, trips, dances, dinners, sporting events and other social
occasions. They support what has been called the "World's
Greatest Philanthropy,"
Shriners Hospitals for Children, a network of twenty two (22) pediatric
specialty hospitals, operated and maintained by the Shriners. All children, up
to 18 years old, may be eligible for treatment at Shriners Hospitals if they, in
the opinion of the hospital's chief of staff, could benefit from the specialized
care available at Shriners Hospitals. Eligibility is not based on financial need
or relationship to a Shriner.
The
Aloha Shriners strongly believe that a man should be a positive influence on his
family and reflect the moral values that he has cultivated during his Journey in
Masonry and learned basic life values and morals from the family environment.
Our Membership Committee takes the time to reaffirm, reinforce, and focus on the
importance of the family as the center of the American (Hawaiian) way of life
with family events that are scheduled throughout the year.
What is Masonry and its
Connection to the Shriners?
By becoming a NOBLE or SHRINER,
you have an opportunity to expand upon your knowledge of Freemasonry, to widen
your circle of friends, and to serve humanity in unique ways.
Thus there is the old saying, “Every
man of good moral character and recommended can become a Mason, but every
Shriner must first become a Mason.”
Masonry
is a Journey and not a Destination
The
fraternity of Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely known
fraternity in the world. It dates back centuries to the time when stonemasons
and other craftsmen gathered in shelter houses or lodges. Over the years, formal
Masonic lodges emerged, with members bound together not by trade, but by their
own desire to be fraternal brothers.
The Blue Lodge - First (1°) To Third (3°) Degree
The
basic unit of Masonry is the Blue
Lodge where members earn
the first three Masonic Degrees known as the Entered
Apprentice, Fellow
Craft and Master
Mason. After
one becomes a Master Mason, he can belong to many other organizations which have
their roots in Masonry and which have Blue Lodge Masonry as a prerequisite.
Attainment of the third Masonic degree, that of a Master Mason, represents the
attainment of the highest rank in all of Masonry. Any Master Mason stands as an
equal before every other Master Mason, regardless of position, class, or other
degrees.
The
Appendant and Higher Degrees
Additional
degrees are sometimes referred to as appendant degrees or higher degrees 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.
One
can continue his Journey in Masonry and advance in York Rite through The
Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, The Council
of Cryptic Masons and thereafter be accepted into the knightly Orders of The
Commandery of Knights Templar such as the Order of the Red Cross, the Order
of Malta and ultimately conferred the Order of that of a “Knights Templar,” founded upon the New Testament, and the glorious history of the
chivalric Knights of the Crusades. A
selected few may be invited to join The
Sovereign College of York Rite which is dedicated to educating and promoting
unity throughout the craft, confers the Order of a “Knight
of York” explains
how the many divisions among the early guilds were overcome and the groundwork
was laid for the first Grand Lodge of Masonry.
Others may be invited to join. The
Red Cross of Constantine is strictly a honorary body with a limited
membership.
Others may
continue their Journey in Masonry through the magnificent thirty two (32)
Degrees in of the Scottish Rite,
advancing through the Degrees of the Lodge
of Perfection (4°–14°), the Council
of Princes of Jerusalem (15°–16°),
the Chapter of Rose Croix (17°–18°)
and ultimately of the Consistory (19°–32°).
The 30° Degree culminates with the Degree of “Knight
Kadosh,” a
spiritual knighthood similar to the Knights Templar. In the 32° Degree,
a Knight Kadosh is being conferred the 32° of Sublime Prince of
the Royal Secret.
The Supreme Council controls and confers the 33° of Sovereign Grand Inspector General.
In the United States, members of the Scottish Rite can be elected to
receive the 33° by the Supreme Council. It is conferred on members who have
made major contributions to society or to Masonry in general. A Scottish Rite
Mason does not need to be, nor ever needs to have been, an officer of any rank
in any lodge to be honored with the 33°.
You too can
be a “NOBLE!”
When a man has achieved the
status of Master Mason he can then petition to become a Noble of the Shrine of
North America. He can ask the Aloha
Shriners Membership Ambassador at his Blue Lodge, or he simply may complete the
Application form and a Membership Ambassador will contact him.
Currently there are two Initiation Classes each year, one in Spring and
one in Fall. There are special
circumstances when an immediate initiation is necessary and usually it will be
granted. (For example a Military Assignment, etc.).
What is the relationship between
Shriners and Shriners Hospitals?
In a
unique interdependent relationship, the Shriners and Shriners Hospitals are
separate but inseparable.
The Shriners of North America supports Shriners Hospitals in many ways: Shrine
Temples and clubs often help arrange and pay for transportation for children and
parents to the hospitals, and thousands of Shriners spend many hours of their
own time driving families to the hospitals and entertaining the patients.
In
addition, Shriners helps support the hospitals financially, with each Shriner
paying an annual $5 hospital assessment. Temples and clubs also hold many
fundraisers, some of which benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children.
What are the benefits of
becoming a Shriner?
·
Membership in a
well-known fraternal organization recognized for its social and philanthropic
activities.
·
Opportunity to
develop lasting friendships with others from all walks of life
·
A variety of social
activities available for the entire family and many special-interest groups to
meet individual interests
·
The privilege of
being part of the "Worlds Greatest Philanthropy," offering Shriners
many opportunities to find personal fulfillment and satisfaction through
supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children.
How can I become a Shriner?
Click below for more information
on how to become a Shriner.
Contact Membership Development
Aloha Shriners, A.A.O.N.M.S.
1611 Kewalo St., Suite 201, Honolulu, HI 96822
Office: 808-536-9333 - Fax: 808-528-2384