Title Versus Form of Address - "Master" and "Worshipful Master"

(adapted from the Saint Johns Commemoration Program, June 26, 2009)

The title of the head of a Masonic lodge is "Master," not "Worshipful Master."  Thus, a brother is not the "Worshipful Master" of his lodge, he is the "Master" of the lodge.

The honorific "Worshipful" is part of the form of address for Masters and Past Masters.  In similar manner, "Honorable" is the form of address for a judge.  One does not hold the office of "Honorable Judge;" one is simply a judge. The form of address for the judge, however, is "the Honorable John Smith."

When addressing the Master of a lodge, the correct address is "Worshipful Master."  Conversely, when referring to the Master of a lodge, the correct usage is, "Worshipful Brother John Smith, Master of Washington Lodge. (Assuming, of course, his name is, in fact, John Smith, and that he is the Master of Washington Lodge.)

When referring to, or introducing yourself, however, while it may be technically correct to use the form, "I am Worshipful Brother John Smith," it does fall a bit flat on the ear, like a judge introducing himself, "I am the Honorable John Smith." While the form of address may be accurate, the use of the honorific in ones own case may be seen as having a somewhat elevated opinion of oneself, and is probably best left for someone else to employ for you.