How Do I Join The Shriners?

There are over 410,000 Shriners worldwide. In order to become a Shriner, a man must first be a Mason. The fraternity of Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely known fraternity in the world. It dates back hundreds of years 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 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. There is no higher degree than that of Master Mason (the Third Degree).

After he 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. Only when a man has achieved the status of Master Mason can he petition to become a Noble of the Shrine of North America.

If you are NOT a Mason and are a male at least 21 years of age, believe in God and wish to join Freemasonry, please visit the website of the Grand Lodge of Virginia for more information.

If you are already a Mason in good standing and reside in Virginia, you can download an application in PDF format (Located below, opens in a new window) for membership. If you already know a Shriner, you can give him the application once you complete it or if you wish, you can contact our office for more information.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD A PETITION FORM

NOTE: To view and print PDF files, you must have Adobe's Acrobat Reader installed. This program is available for free download by going directly to the Adobe Acrobat website by clicking the icon below: