Author archive
for jjapitana

For Argentina: Five Times the Masons, Half the Age

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In just the past decade, Argentina has seen a burst of Masonic activity: From only 2,200 Freemasons in 2008 to more than 10,000 today.

Hammer, Sickle, Square, Compass: Freemasonry in Cuba

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A road trip through Cuba reveals a thriving—and colorful—Masonic community full of eye-catching Masonic lodges.

The Latin America-to-California Masonic Connection

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Meet a group of California Masons who also belong to Masonic lodges in their home countries in Latin America.

MCYAF, Here for You at Every Stage of Life

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The Masonic Center for Youth and Families provides therapy, counseling, and emotional support for all ages, from teens to seniors.

For Freemasons, Death Is Not the End

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Freemasonry offers a framework to living a better life. That’s why it holds so many lessons for confronting death—and whatever comes next.

At a Masonic Cemetery, a Forever Home

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In rural Tuolumne County, a new effort to bring a pair of Gold Rush era Masonic cemeteries back to life.

Underwater, Reminders of a Masonic Cemetery

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Buried among the rocks and rubble of San Francisco’s Aquatic Park breakwater, a reminder of a long-lost Masonic graveyard.

These Morticians Are the Last Masons You’ll Ever Meet

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It takes a special temperament to succeed as a mortician—and one, it turns out, that Freemasons are well suited to.

Three Masons Working as Death’s Doormen

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Meet three Masons with an intimate familiarity with death—and the other side.

At a Hollywood Cemetery, a Masonic ‘Forever’ Lodge

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The Masons moved out ages ago, but their aura remains at the Masonic Lodge at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Freemasonry’s Spiritual Cousins

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The California Masonic Symposium returns to explore Masonry’s spiritual roots.

In Benicia, a Historic Masonic Lodge, Now with LEDs

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The 18th century Benicia Masonic Hall, the oldest Masonic lodge in California, gets a 21st century makeover.

Donor Profile: Antonio Cimarra

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An aviation expert, this SoCal Mason has seen Masonic relief up close. That’s why now, he makes a point of giving back.

Traditions in the Trimming

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Exploring the rich cultural traditions of global Masonic attire, Masonic aprons, and other costumes of Freemasonry.

In Their Words

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Examining the relationship of three literary legends with Freemasonry and its impact on their prolific bodies of work

Tales From a Masonic Pen

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Discovering the fraternal life of Mark Twain

Worthy of Being Worn

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More than a symbol of fraternal devotion, the Masonic apron embodies the wearer’s presentation of himself – to his lodge and to the world.

The Perfect Fit

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One Mason’s desire to create something new, beautiful, and impactful carries through to present day.

For Community, For Family

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One Northern California father put his Masonic values into action to unite his community around special-needs kids.

Soul of the Temple

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Sacred geometry has been an important element of sacred architecture for centuries.

A Big Spark

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A lodge in Southern California blends a rich cultural heritage with love for community.

From Sublime to Masonry to Politics: The Mayor of Dub

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From one of the early members of Sublime to mayor of La Palma, California Freemason Marshall Goodman is well-qualified to represent the L.B.C.

Mystical, Magical, Scarce

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Lodge organists are a vanishing breed—but one with the power to transform the Masonic ritual.

Anything but Silence

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Why two grand lodge officers are on a quest to bring music into every Masonic lodge.

For This World Music Scion, a Masonic Inheritance

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World musician and California Freemason Nee Quaison-Sackey has made it his life’s work to bring people together.

A Rapper-Turned-Freemason Offers Rhyme and Reason

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For 20 years, he was the rapper Ryu. But inside his Long Beach-area Masonic lodge, the hip-hop musician is just Ryan.

The Beautiful Sound

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Trevor Terence Panganiban’s music bridges East and West.

After a Year Away, It’s Lights Up at the Masonic

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It’s curtains up at the Masonic, one of San Francisco’s best-loved venues for music, comedy, and other shows.

Rave Recollections of a Mason and Concert Promoter

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A concert promoter, musical impressario, and California Freemason reflects on a very full life in concerts and shows.

String Theory

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Meet three Masons who are expert musical instrument makers.

In Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol, a Masonic Whodunnit

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This fall, in ‘Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol’ on Peacock, a new Masonic mystery thriller hits the streaming airwaves.

A New Show Bringing Freemasonry into Prime Time

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A new series on NBC Peacock, “Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol,” picks up on The Da Vinci Code-author’s Masonic-themed thriller.

Samuel Larison, Freemason and Winemaker

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How one Freemason became a pioneer winemaker for the wine industry and a charter member of Sonoma County’s early Masonic lodge.

For Two California Masonic Grand Lodges, A New Beginning

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Twenty-five years ago, the Grand Lodge of California and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California changed the way we all view Freemasonry.

How to Really—Like, Really—Listen

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Experts from the Masonic Assistance and MCYAF teams offer strategies for managing— and mastering—uncomfortable conversations.

Eye of the Beholder

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Could a hiding-in-plain-sight Masonic icon change the way we understand a Diego Rivera masterpiece?