I joined Masonry because the fraternity had always been a mystery to me, and not just because of the various symbols and hushed tones it evoked from people when it came up as a topic, but because no one could ever really tell me what it was. Nuns, priests, and teachers from my Catholic schools would only tell me that Masons were “bad” people, but when pressed further, they could not elaborate on what made them “bad”. Upon joining the fraternity, I found myself learning different aspects of the craft through the three degrees. When I was finally raised on October 20th, 2011, I found myself looking back on what I was told about Masons in the past, and I have to say, I have not found a single “bad” person. I am happy to say that since joining the fraternity, I have found myself in the company of the best men I have ever met in my life. Good men that I am truly proud to call Brothers.
After being raised, I was fortunate enough to be invited to join The Grotto. Not really knowing much about it, much like Masonry in the beginning, I decided to see what it was about. I truly believe that this was one of the wisest decisions I have made in my life. The Grotto, being the fun side to Masonry, is where I continue to find myself in the presence of my Brothers, but not really surrounded by the meticulous ins and outs of the various rituals of the three degrees. It is in The Grotto that I find myself enjoying the fellowship of Brothers who shared most of my interests and hobbies. Conversations and fun had before meetings and after at Lido’s or Chi Chi’s are never dull and always full of life. If you ever walk away from a Grotto meeting and said you were not laughing and having fun, you were either not paying attention or are lying.
Yours in fellowship,
Levi Quintana
