Author archive
for jjapitana

Behind the Cover of the Prince Hall, Then and Now Issue Issue

Read More

Meet the Nzilani Glass Conservation in Oakland, the artists behind the cover image of the Prince Hall, Then and Now issue of California Freemason magazine.

Meet the Builders of California’s Newest Masonic Lodges

Read More

A spate of new Masonic lodges have gone up across the state in recent years. What they are building is reshaping the landscape of California Masonry.

At La France No. 885, a Lodge of Bon Vivants

Read More

At La France No. 885, a longstanding legacy of French Freemasonry in California is being carried into the future.

In Prince Hall, Many Masonic Bodies, All Under One Banner

Read More

From the Eastern Star to the Prince Hall Shrine, exploring the many appendant bodies of Prince Hall Masonry in California.

The Heroes of Masonry: They Wear Aprons, Not Capes

Read More

Celebrating the best and brightest of Freemasonry in California.

The Exemplars: Meet the 2024 California Masons of the Year

Read More

Dennis Caoile and Henry Dosdorian, the 2024 Masons of the Year, demonstrate that the common denominator of Freemasonry is service to others.

Stephen Doan: The Mastermind

Read More

In a capstone to a remarkable life and career in Freemasonry, R. Stephen Doan is the 2024 Recipient of the Grand Master’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

A Sense of Belonging

Read More

Groups like the Masons offer a way to strengthen community, combat loneliness, fight polarization, and maybe even save democracy.

Burn Scars

Read More

In Paradise, Table Mountain No. 124 is helping a community move forward.

At Oakland No. 61, a Commitment to Outreach

Read More

At Oakland No. 61, a phone-banking effort helped establish the lodge as one of Masonic Outreach Services’ best local partners.

When It Comes to the Masonic Youth Orders, They’re Super Dads

Read More

The 2024 Youth Support Award recipients show that when it comes to the Masonic youth orders, you get more than you give.

Member Profile: Harold ‘Lefty’ Williams

Read More

Meet Harold “Lefty” Robinson, a past Globetrotter and the newest Mason with the slickest moves on the hardwood.

For California Prince Hall’s Aaron Washington, History’s in the Making

Read More

Aaron Washington on learning from the lessons of the past.

Prince Hall’s Robert J. Eagle Spirit Sr. on Giving Back

Read More

Robert J. Eagle Spirit Sr., the next grand master of California Prince Hall Masonry, on supporting the fraternity’s philanthropic mission.

Prince Hall Mason Gary Ransom Blazed Trails in California’s Courts

Read More

Gary Ransom broke barriers for the next generation of African American lawyers.

Your Honor: Judge John Weller Keeps Things on the Level

Read More

Whether on the bench or in lodge, John Weller preaches fairness.

For Prince Hall Mason Trevor Lawrence Jr., the Beat Goes On

Read More

Drummer Trevor Lawrence Jr. puts Masonry squarely in the spotlight.

California’s Masonic Lodge Neighbors Are Better Together

Read More

Across the state, California Masons are reaching out across lodge lines.

California Prince Hall Masonry: A State of Belonging

Read More

Founded in the 1850s and still active today, the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California is building on a proud history.

Paying Homage to a Masonic Hero at Rizal No. 882

Read More

At Gat Rizal No. 882 in Menifee, California, a Masonic lodge takes its name—and inspiration—from a national hero of the Philippines.

At Oakland No. 61, Something Old Meets Something New

Read More

At Oakland No. 61, two historic East Bay groups dating from the 1800s are teaming up to form a new kind of Masonic lodge.

At Logos No. 861, a Culture of Craftsmanship

Read More

At Logos No. 861 in San Francisco, handmade, lovingly crafted material culture is part of the very fabric of the lodge.

Unforgettable: The Masonic Connection to the Forget-Me-Not

Read More

The forget-me-not is a Masonic symbol of brotherhood, sacrifice, and remembrance.

At the Chinese Acacia Club, a Cultural Legacy Lives On

Read More

For 77 years, the Chinese Acacia Club has created a space for Chinese American Masons, a historically underrepresented group.

The Indian Masonic Degree Team Is a Band of Brothers

Read More

How a Native American Masonic degree team forges bonds across cultures—and keeps a heritage alive.

Centennial Salute: A Masonic Boom, 100 Years Later

Read More

How a century-old Masonic lodge boom is still reverberating today.

Haggis and Harmony at a Masonic Burns Supper

Read More

“Most people treat it like a dare,” says the organizer of an elaborate Masonic tribute to Robbie Burns, the poet laureate of the lodge.

Member Profile: The Man Behind the Mark

Read More

Meet Rene Ceniceros, a Los Angeles tattoo artist specializing in Masonic ink.

On a Trip to the Grand Lodge of Hungary, a Global Connection Is Forged

Read More

A Masonic trip to Hungary forges connections across borders.

Brothers to the Rescue: Masons in WWII

Read More

During WWI, the Masonic Ambulance Corps was a grassroots effort by Masonic volunteers who were passionate to serve their country.

The Masonic Homes at 125: An Ever-Changing Haven

Read More

The Masonic Homes of California evolved from a 19th century widows and orphans home into an innovative apparatus of care and relief.

New Masonic Homes CEO Terry Quigley: “We’re Standing On A Lot of History Here”

Read More

For new CEO Terry Quigley, there’s a solid foundation—and amazing potential—at the Masonic Homes of California.

A Masonic Charity Bike Ride Turns into a Voyage to the East

Read More

On a cross-country Masonic charity bike ride, a California Freemason leans on his fraternal support network.

More than Retirement Homes: The Wide World of Masonic Relief

Read More

The Masonic Homes of California are more than just retirement communities. Take a tour around the wide world of Masonic assistance.

Masonic Outreach Services: The “Magic Wand” of Masonic Relief

Read More

Through Masonic Outreach Services, California Masons are able to deliver care and support to members throughout the state—and beyond.

New Exhibition Shines Light on Past Master’s Jewels

Read More

A new exhibition by the Grand Lodge of California puts past master’s jewels under the spotlight.