The Worshipful Lodge Universalis welcomes women of
all cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds wo are 25 or older. Its
members reflect the diversity of New York City itself.
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Freemasonry is friendship.
An instant connection, a bond that doesn't
need words.
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All of us, whether we are from the Americas,
Europe, Africa or the Middle and Far East,
are guided by the same ideal: the pursuit
of a spiritual, non-religious quest within
a group of like-minded women willing to
listen, understand and discover in an atmosphere
of liberty, equality and friendship.
We chose the name "Universalis"
to emphasize the Lodge's spirit of tolerance,
mutual understanding and sisterhood, as
well as to represent the universality of
Masonic thought and traditions. Our exchanges
take place in a welcoming environment where
even the most reluctant speakers find their
voice.
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Freemasonry is sharing.
Being part of each other's stories, of each
other's history. Sharing the pain, and the
triumphs, asking questions and offering
advice.
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Masonic ritual and symbolism guide us on our paths
to self-knowledge, helping us to become better members
of our communities. The Lodge is a vehicle for the transmission
of knowledge, and the fostering of wisdom and inner
peace.
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Freemasonry is growth. The Lodge is constantly
evolving, building and rebuilding - and
so are its members.
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The Worshipful Lodge Universalis was created in 1992, when a
group of women Freemasons from Europe and the U.S.,
all living in New York City, requested a charter from
the Women's Grand Lodge of Belgium. A bilingual Lodge
at its beginnings, Universalis was the first women's
Lodge in the United States to work in English. Some
of the work is still done occasionally in French to
accommodate French-speaking members whose command of
English is insufficient. Simultaneous translation enables
both English and French speakers to express themselves
in their own language and be understood by all. This
further emphasizes our Masonic ideal of reaching out
to and understanding each other.
FM is tolerance and intellectual freedom.
The Lodge bridges differences in culture,
language, and traditions. By truly lending
an attentive ear to each other, we listen
not just to the words but to the person
speaking the words. We look at the other
as we would in a mirror, seeing not only
her face but a reflection of ourselves.
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Freemasonry is evolution.
An intellectual quest, a spiritual journey.
A slow maturation leading to epiphanies,
intuitive discoveries about oneself and
one's relationship to society.
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