Lodge Officers
Who sits where, what each officer does, the jewel on his collar, and what the titles in front of his name mean. Written for new Masons learning the room, for visitors, and for anyone buying a gift for a brother who has just been elected or appointed.
Every Grand Lodge is sovereign, and each sets its own list of offices, how they are filled and what each does. What follows is the common American pattern, with Pennsylvania and English practice noted where they differ. Your Lodge Secretary is the authority.
The Lodge room
The common American arrangement, seen from above. The Master sits in the East, the Senior Warden in the West, the Junior Warden in the South. Lodges differ in the detail.
The three principal officers
The Master and his two Wardens: East, West and South. They govern the Lodge.
- Worshipful MasterW.M.The presiding officer of a Masonic Lodge, elected for a term (usually one year) and installed in the East, where he chairs every meeting and directs the work of the degrees.Jewel: The square
- Senior WardenS.W.The second of the three principal officers, who sits in the West, assists the Master in governing the Lodge and, in most jurisdictions, presides when the Master is absent.Jewel: The level
- Junior WardenJ.W.The third principal officer, who sits in the South and oversees the brethren while the Lodge is at refreshment, which in practice often means the meal and the hospitality.Jewel: The plumb
Treasurer and Secretary
The two offices that keep the Lodge running between meetings, and often for decades.
- Lodge TreasurerTreas.The officer who takes charge of the Lodge's funds and property, holds the money the Secretary collects, and pays it out as the Lodge directs.Jewel: Crossed keys
- Lodge SecretarySec.The officer who keeps the Lodge's records, minutes and membership roll, collects its dues, handles its correspondence, and is the first person to ask about almost anything, including how to join.Jewel: Crossed pens (quills)
The appointed officers
Deacons, Stewards, Chaplain, Marshal, Organist and Tyler: the officers who make a meeting work.
- Senior DeaconS.D.An appointed officer who carries messages from the Master, welcomes and attends visitors, and conducts candidates through the degrees.Jewel: In most American Lodges, the square and compasses with a sun in the center
- Junior DeaconJ.D.An appointed officer who carries messages from the Senior Warden, attends the door of the Lodge from the inside, and answers when someone seeks entry.Jewel: In most American Lodges, the square and compasses with a moon in the center
- Senior and Junior StewardsS.S.The two appointed officers who assist in the degree work, help prepare candidates, and look after the tables when the Lodge eats together.Jewel: The cornucopia, the horn of plenty
- Lodge ChaplainChap.The appointed officer who offers the prayers at the opening and closing of the Lodge and says grace at its meals.Jewel: An open book, the Volume of the Sacred Law
- Lodge MarshalMar.The appointed officer who forms and leads processions, arranges precedence, and in many American Lodges presents the flag.Jewel: Crossed batons
- Lodge OrganistOrg.The appointed officer who provides music for the Lodge's meetings and ceremonies.Jewel: A lyre
- Tyler (Tiler)Tyl.The officer who guards the outer door of the Lodge with a drawn sword, so that no one enters who is not a Mason entitled to be there.Jewel: The sword
Past Masters
Not an office but a standing: the men who have already served in the East.
Pennsylvania and English practice
Offices a visitor meets in Pennsylvania Lodges, or in England and the Lodges that follow it.
- Pursuivant (Pennsylvania)Purs.An officer found in Pennsylvania Lodges, and rarely in American Lodges elsewhere, who has a part in keeping the door and announcing and escorting those who seek admission.
- Inner Guard (English practice)I.G.The officer in English and English-derived Lodges who keeps the door from the inside, working with the Tyler outside, and sees that candidates are properly prepared before they enter.Jewel: Two swords crossed
- Director of Ceremonies (English practice)D.C.The officer in English and English-derived Lodges who sees that the ceremonies run smoothly, directs processions and seating, and often rehearses the officers.Jewel: Two rods crossed
- Almoner (English practice)The officer in English and English-derived Lodges who looks after the welfare of members, their families and the widows of former members.
Grand Lodge
The Grand Master and his deputies in the districts: the officers above the Lodge.
- Grand MasterG.M.The presiding officer of a Grand Lodge, elected for a term (commonly one or two years) and holding authority over every Lodge in its jurisdiction during it.
- District Deputy Grand MasterD.D.G.M.The Grand Master's personal representative to a district of Lodges, who visits them, inspects their work and records, and carries the Grand Master's business to them.
Worshipful, Right Worshipful, Most Worshipful
"Worshipful" is an old English honorific meaning worthy of respect, as in "Your Worship" for a magistrate. It is a title of office, not of degree. Usage varies by Grand Lodge.
| Title | Written | Commonly used for |
|---|---|---|
| Brother | Bro. | Any Freemason. The universal form of address in Lodge. |
| Worshipful | W. | The Master of a Lodge, and in many American jurisdictions every Past Master. England writes it "W.Bro." |
| Very Worshipful | V.W. | In some jurisdictions, certain appointed grand officers and district officers. Many Grand Lodges do not use it. |
| Right Worshipful | R.W. | Commonly the Deputy Grand Master, the Grand Wardens and other senior grand officers, and in many jurisdictions District Deputies. In Pennsylvania, the Grand Master himself. |
| Most Worshipful | M.W. | The Grand Master, and Past Grand Masters, in almost every American Grand Lodge. Also used of many Grand Lodges themselves. |
None of these titles is a degree. The Master Mason degree is the highest in Freemasonry; a Grand Master is a Master Mason serving in an office. For the rest of the shorthand on rosters, rings and certificates, see Masonic abbreviations.