Charities

The three principles on which Freemasonry rests are Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

The sublime concept of Relief finds its full expression in the wider context of Charity. And as a landmark of Freemasonry, it is so deeply embedded in the institution that its absence would radically modify the essence of the Order.

As such, it has been qualified in such glowing terms as “the brightest jewel in the Masonic crown; the Corinthian pillar whose entablature adds strength, beauty and grace to the Masonic fabric; the radiant spark emanating from God, the inexhaustible source of love.

By the exercise of Brotherly Love we are taught to regard the whole human race as one family –the high, the low, the rich, the poor – who, being created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, ought to aid, support and protect each other. …. To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly on Masons, who are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection.

To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with them in their misfortunes, to be compassionate to their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds is the great aim we have in view. On this basis we form our friendships and establish our connections.

“Masonry has no other mission than to exalt and ennoble humanity, to bring light out of darkness, beauty out of ugliness and make every life more radiant”.

In pursuit of the above principle, the District Grand Lodge of Nigeria (EC) has over the years granted relief, through various charity projects, to those in need. Not only does the District complement the “Freemasonry Cares” project which offers support to Freemasons and their dependents, it has also reached out to numerous non-masonic groups and institutions as can be seen from the pictures.

All Lodges in the District practice this charity . At Installation, a new Master of the Lodge will normally nominate the charity he intends to support for the year. As the endless blue skies represented on the apron we wear, our Charity knows no bounds.

Masonic charity is exercised at every level: individual Lodges make gifts and give aid to their own communities and The District Grand Lodge of Nigeria also gives large sums of money to national causes.