The Universe is a liberal Masonic lodge operating under the jurisdiction of the Grand Orient of Poland.[1] Established in 2019 in Warsaw,[2] it represents the first English-speaking Masonic lodge in Poland to admit candidates and visitors irrespective of their gender and ethnicity. The Lodge promotes the Freemasonic values of liberty, equality, and fraternity, welcoming all Freemasons regardless of background. Its primary mission is to serve as a safe harbour for worldwide Freemasons seeking the craft in Poland.
Lodge was founded to fulfill the necessity for an inclusive Masonic environment conducting its proceedings in English in Poland. As a constituent body of the Grand Orient of Poland, a liberal Masonic obedience,[3] it champions the principles of freedom of conscience, secularism, and the respect for human rights. Established in Warsaw in 2019, the Lodge was duly recognized by its Founding Lodge, Liberty Restored, which is the oldest Masonic lodge in Poland, originally established in 1796.
The Lodge is an integral component of the Grand Orient of Poland. Its establishment was noted in both Polish and international Masonic publications, emphasizing its significance to the advancement of liberal Freemasonry within the country.[4]
Principles and philosophical orientation
The Respectable Lodge Universe operates as a secular and non-denominational organization. It maintains a stance of neutrality regarding religious beliefs, neither advocating for nor against any specific faith. To maintain an objective and respectful environment conducive to all members, irrespective of their religious or secular perspectives, engagement in religious and political discussions is strictly disallowed during Lodge proceedings. The Lodge's ideological foundation is predicated upon the philosophy of the Enlightenment, with a specific emphasis on the core tenets of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Worshipful masters
In Freemasonry, the Lodge's leader (‘’Worshipful Master’’) is typically succeeded every three years after annual elections, where all eligible members of the Lodge cast their vote.
2019–2023 – Franz Solon
2023–current – Marcin Stanczak
Membership
The Lodge is composed of individuals from North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe, as well as Polish nationals who were the initial founders.[5] It extends a welcome to candidates of all nationalities, genders, and cultural backgrounds, provided they adhere to the liberal and progressive principles of the Grand Orient of Poland. In accordance with this inclusive ethos, the Lodge actively invites interested parties to make direct contact to express their desire for membership. The Lodge has steadfastly maintained that it remains open to all applications submitted freely and voluntarily, consistent with the tenets of liberal Freemasonry.
Structure and organization
The Lodge operates within the established framework of the three traditional degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. English serves as the official language of the Lodge, thereby enabling participation by both international and national members, as well as visiting dignitaries. The Lodge extends regular invitations to visiting Brethren from other Lodges affiliated with comparable liberal Masonic obediences, including, but not limited to, the Grand Orient of France, the Grand Orient of Belgium, the Grand Lodge of Italy, and the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Spain. Similarly to the Grand Orient of Poland and its Founding Lodge Liberty Restored, all members adhere to the tenets of the liberal French Rite,[6] and all candidates for Lodge offices are selected through a democratic electoral procedure.
In line with the principles of liberal Freemasonry as practiced by the Grand Orient of Poland, Lodge Universe is neither a religious organization nor a religious movement. It does not promote any specific faith, creed, or system of worship. Membership is open to individuals of all religions as well as those without religious affiliation, provided they support the Lodge’s philosophical and Enlightenment-based values. This is further indicated by the blank pages of the Volume of Sacred Law resting upon the Temple's altar. In accordance with this approach, religious and political discussions are excluded from Lodge meetings, to preserve a neutral space dedicated to ethical reflection, personal development, and fraternal cooperation.
Activities and cultural engagement
The Lodge, beyond its internal Masonic proceedings, undertakes initiatives directed at promoting international and cross-cultural discourse, preserving civic values, and championing human dignity.
Periodically, the Lodge organizes public addresses and symposia focused on matters of freedom, human rights, and moral advancement. These gatherings are accessible to individuals external to the organization's membership.
International cooperation
Pursuant to reciprocal agreements of amity and collaboration, the Lodge Universe, operating under the jurisdiction of the Grand Orient of Poland, engages in international cooperation with masonic organizations affiliated with the following organizations and Orders.
The name "Universe" was chosen to emphasize the Lodge's open and inclusive character, aiming to reflect the universality of Freemasonry beyond national, cultural, or religious boundaries.[9]
The Lodge's seal features symbolic elements inspired by both traditional Freemasonry and Enlightenment Era iconography.
Meetings are held in English to allow participation from members of over a dozen nationalities, making it one of the most internationally diverse Lodges in Poland.
It is one of few Lodges of its kind in Central Europe where women and men are admitted on completely equal footing, following the principles of mixed-gender Freemasonry.
The members of the Lodge have diverse backgrounds in academia, literature, diplomacy, the arts, science, business, philosophy, engineering and more, contributing to a rich and multidisciplinary internal culture.
Emblem and symbolism
The seal of the Lodge is rich in symbolic meaning, reflecting the Masonic principles of universality, enlightenment, and personal transformation.
The galaxy and stars – Represent the infinite nature of the cosmos and the universality of Freemasonry. Each star can symbolize a Brother or Sister under a shared sky.
Square and Compasses – The central symbols of Freemasonry, denoting moral guidance, balance, and the tools for building a better self and society.
The ship on water – Symbolizes the initiatory journey through the unknown toward knowledge and inner light.
The waves – Evoke movement, life, and the constant transformation of the human spirit.
↑ Kargol, Anna; Lesage, Dominique (2021). Liberté Egalité Fraternité nad Wisłą – 30 lat wolnomularstwa liberalnego w Polsce[Liberté Egalité Fraternité on the Vistula - 30 years of liberal freemasonry in Poland] (in Polish). Kraków: Oficyna Wydawnicza KAAFM. pp.280–282. ISBN978-83-66007-70-3.
↑ Mainguy, Irène (2020). Symbolika masońska trzeciego tysiąclecia: ryt szkocki dawny i uznany oraz ryt francuski[Masonic Symbolism of the Third Millennium: Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and the French Rite] (in Polish). Warsaw: Eduvolution. ISBN9788395382871.
↑ Wojciechowski, Karol (2009). Ryt Francuski: od alchemii do racjonalizmu[The French Rite: From Alchemy to Rationalism] (in Polish). Wrocław: Wydawnictwo Racjonalista. p.103. ISBN978-83-924-370-6-2.
↑ Woźniakowski, Bogumił (2018). Szkice z Historii Polskiej Masonerii[Sketches from the History of Polish Freemasonry] (in Polish). Kraków: Wydawnictwo i Drukarnia Towarzystwa Słowaków w Polsce. p.79. ISBN978-83-8111-059-4.
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