31/03/2026
It has come to our attention that inquiries have been raised regarding the possibility of being made a Mason “at Sight” within our jurisdiction under the Gran Logia Soberana del Archipiélago Filipino.
To avoid repetition and to ensure the proper dissemination of information, we deem it prudent to issue this notice for the guidance of all concerned.
This issuance is made in line with the stand of Logia Maguindanaw No. 29, Valle de Misamis.
Mason at Sight in Light of Masonic Landmarks
Short Answer:
Yes, the making of a “Mason at Sight” is recognized within the Ancient Landmarks of Freemasonry—but it is an extraordinary prerogative, not a general practice. Its exercise depends entirely upon the Constitution and jurisprudence of each Grand Lodge.
🔷 What is “Mason at Sight”?
“Mason at Sight” refers to the inherent prerogative of the Grand Master to initiate, pass, and raise a candidate to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason without the usual progressive process.
Traditionally, this is done by:
• The Grand Master convening an occasional lodge
• Conferring the three degrees:
• Entered Apprentice
• Fellowcraft
• Master Mason
This prerogative is recognized as one of the Ancient Landmarks, particularly in the writings of Albert Mackey, who affirms the Grand Master’s power to make Masons at sight as an essential and immemorial right.
🔷 Its Status as a Landmark
Under Masonic jurisprudence, Landmarks are fundamental and unalterable principles. Among these is:
👉 The prerogative of the Grand Master to make Masons at sight
This establishes that:
• The authority is ancient and inherent, not derived from legislation
• It is personal to the Grand Master, and cannot be delegated
• It exists independently of ordinary lodge procedures
🔷 Authority: Grand Master Alone
Only one authority may exercise this power:
👉 The Grand Master of the jurisdiction
• It is his exclusive and personal prerogative
• No lodge, officer, or body may assume it
❗ Clarification:
A Supreme Grand Commander (or any head of an appendant body such as the Scottish Rite) has absolutely no authority to make a Mason at sight.
This is because:
• The power belongs strictly to Symbolic Lodge Masonry
• Appendant bodies do not confer the degrees of Craft Masonry
• Therefore, their officers—regardless of rank—cannot exercise Landmark prerogatives reserved to a Grand Master
🔷 Jurisdictional Application
While recognized as a Landmark, its actual exercise varies:
• Some Grand Lodges practice it
• Others recognize but do not exercise it
• Some restrict it through constitutional provisions
👉 Each Grand Lodge remains sovereign, and recognition of such Masons depends on inter-jurisdictional relations.
🔷 Qualifications of the Candidate
Even under this exceptional prerogative, essential Masonic qualifications remain required:
• Of lawful age
• Of good moral character
• A belief in a Supreme Being (in regular jurisdictions)
• Free and voluntary consent
The Landmark dispenses with the usual process, not the essential qualifications.
🔷 Important Clarifications
• ❗ It is rare and exceptional, not the ordinary path
• ❗ It is sometimes a subject of debate among Masons
• ❗ It does not eliminate the need for lodge affiliation
• ❗ Further instruction and integration into the Craft are still expected
🔷 Bottom Line (Masonically Grounded)
• ✔ Rooted in the Ancient Landmarks of Freemasonry
• ✔ Exclusively exercised by the Grand Master
• ✔ ❗ No Supreme Grand Commander or appendant body has this power
• ✔ Rare, exceptional, and jurisdiction-dependent
