Massachusetts Grand Lodge

Since hands can offer clues about a person’s station in life (i.e. calloused and rough on a craftsman), Masons wear gloves as a symbolic gesture of unity and equality. There are, however, levels of membership within the organization, known as “degrees.” How members attain a higher rank and the rituals associated with conferring those degrees remain shrouded in mystery. Members take an vow of silence. Additionally, “members cannot talk about the ‘modes and methods of recognition’...certain signs that can be used to recognize one mason from another,” said Robert Huke, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Grand Lodge. (Left) Rev. John R.S. Higgins, Grand Chaplain of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge.
Since hands can offer clues about a person’s station in life (i.e. calloused and rough on a craftsman), Masons wear gloves as a symbolic gesture of unity and equality.

There are, however, levels of membership within the organization, known as “degrees.” How members attain a higher rank and the rituals associated with conferring those degrees remain shrouded in mystery. Members take an vow of silence. Additionally, “members cannot talk about the ‘modes and methods of recognition’...certain signs that can be used to recognize one mason from another,” said Robert Huke, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Grand Lodge.

(Left) Rev. John R.S. Higgins, Grand Chaplain of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge.

(Photo: Jonathan Wiggs/Globe staff; Text: Christine Makris/Boston.com staff)

About the book

Boston's Secret Spaces offers tantalizing peeks into places ordinary mortals rarely see. Published in partnership with The Boston Globe and based on the exceedingly popular Boston.com feature (3.7 million page views and counting), the book takes readers behind the scenes at several sports hot spots, historical landmarks, and offbeat Beantown locales.