Worshipful Master

Masons call the man in charge of the lodge "Worshipful Master," but that does not mean they "worship" him. In parts of England, mayors and judges are also called "Worshipful" or "Your Worship." This is a term of honor, from the original intent of the word, meaning, "to give respect." French Masons use the word Venerable for their Masters.

The Master's jewel of office is the right angle of a square, a stonemason's tool used for checking the angles of cut and smoothed stones. It is not a measuring square, like carpenters use. It's used to make certain an angle is "true." It symbolizes virtue.

The Worshipful Master sits in the east, symbolic of the rising sun, and presides over the lodge, like a president or chairman. While serving his term as Master, his word is final over the actions of the lodge. He presides over business meetings and the conferral of degrees.

One of the many duties of a Worshipful Master is to "open and govern the lodge, set the craft to work and give them instructions for their labor."