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Marion McDaniel Lodge #52 was chartered June 6, 2026. The first line of officers was installed July 12, 2026, by MWB Roger Biede III, the Grand Master of Masons in Arizona. The lodge is a consolidation of Oasis Lodge #52 and Marion McDaniel Lodge #56. We are an active lodge laboring tirelessly for the Tucson community and the fraternity in general. To become a member of Marion McDaniel Lodge #52 by receiving the three degrees of Masonry requires a one-time fee of $306.00. Yearly lodge dues are $155.00. A member does not begin paying yearly dues until they become a Master Mason (the 3rd Degree). The time frame to go through the three degrees varies on the individual and ranges from 6-18 months. If you are interested in learning what Freemasonry is about or becoming a Freemason, contact the Secretary or Prospect Manager (see the Contact Us page). You are also free to drop in and meet us. There is no cost to inquire or visit and there are no strings attached. We are here to help you.
General Information
Masonry, as an organization, is understanding and tolerant of all religious thoughts. Masonry has no specific creed, no dogma, no priesthood. There are no requirements as to religious preference in becoming a Mason. Masonry does ask you to state your belief and trust in a Supreme Being. Non-sectarian prayers are a common part of all our ceremonies but are not offered to a specific deity. Masonic ritual does incorporate lessons and examples from the Bible but they are given as representative illustrations. Masonry does not require you to belong to a church, synagogue, or mosque, although many Masons are very active in their religious organizations, and among our members are leaders of many denominations. Freemasonry accepts your right to belong to any church or religious organization of your choice and does not infringe on that right. Neither does Masonry try to be a substitute for your church. Masonry wants to unite men for the purpose of brotherhood and not as an organized religion.
Masonry is many things to many people. Years ago in England it was defined as a system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols. It is a course of moral instruction using both allegories and symbols to teach its lessons. The legends and myths of the old stone cutters and masons, many of them involved in building the great cathedrals of Europe, have been woven into an interesting and effective way to portray moral truths. In Masonry, the old tools and ways of the craftsmen are used to help dramatically portray those moral truths. The 24 inch gauge and common gavel are examples. Just as the ruler is used to measure distance, the modern Mason uses it as a reminder to manage one of his most precious resources; time. As the gavel is used to shape stones, it is also the symbol for the necessity of all of us to work to perfect ourselves. Freemasonry is an organized society of men symbolically applying the principles of Operative Masonry and architecture to the science and art of character building. In other words, Masonry uses ageless methods and lessons to make each of us a better person.
We are not a secret society! A secret society is generally one that wraps itself in a cloak of absolute secrecy. That means no one knows who the members are, where they meet, what they do or what they stand for. That is not Masonry at all! Masonry may have "secrets," but it is not a secret society. Masonic secrets are few in number, and deal with the general method of initiation, the ways we recognize each other, and very little else. These parts of the ritual, which are called the esoteric side of Masonry, have been handed down by word of mouth for centuries. Masonry's purposes, ideals, and principles may be learned by anyone who inquires.