For more details on events go to the Calendar
Feb 15 - Albert Lea Shrine Club Valentine's Dinner - Signature's, Noerthwood, IA
Feb 20 - Provost Valentine's Dinner - Kozlak's, Shoreview
Feb 26 - Ladies Appreciation Brunch and Ceremonial
Mar 13 - Stated Meeting - Osman Dinner served 5 PM, meeting at 6:30
Mar 29 - Apr 1 - Osman Shrine Circus
Shriners are part of the larger fraternity referred to as Freemasonry. Freemasons roots go back nearly 400 years to the Stone Mason Guilds of England and Europe. Some attribute the history to the Knights Templars. Lessons on how be a good person and how to treat others are taught using the implements of the mason; the Square, Compass, 24 inch Rule, the Plumb, the Level and the Trowel among others. Each is emblematic of a universal truth. All Shriners are Masons but not all Masons are Shriners.
The Shrine is relatively young as it was established in 1872 in New York City. It has become the most visibly recognized branch of Freemasonry becasue of the distintive headgear, the Fez. Today the Shrine is truly international with Shrine Centers stretching from Germany to the Philipines.
You can visit the Shriners International website for much more information.
Shriners are also known for their philanthropy. In 1922, Shriners created their first hopsital in Shreveport, LA. The second hospital, in what is now the Shrine Hospital System, was established in the Twin Cities. These "temples of mercy" originally treated the maladies of polio. Over the years, the mission and care has extended to the orthopedic care of children.
You can visit the Shriners Hospital of Children website for more information.
Osman Shrine received dispensation on June 20, 1885 and our charter on June 14, 1886, making us the 22nd Shrine in Shrinedom. It shares geographic territory across central, western, and southern Minnesota with Zuhrah Shrine of Minneapolis, which was the 23rd Shrine.
The name OSMAN is the name of the first emperor.of the Ottoman Empire. It is interesting the letters, when re-arranged, form the word "MASON".
Osman Shrine is headquartered in Eagan on Highway 13 just south of the I-494 Bridge over the Minnesota River. We own the land that hosts the Lost Spur Golf Course. This nine hole public facility and banquet center is leased and operated by Wendell Pittenger Golf Operations. You can click to visit their website.
In July of 1908, Osman was host to the 34th Imperial Session, the same year it held its' first Shrine Circus. In 1913, it traveled to the Miralores Locks of the Panama Canal and held a Ceremonial in the bottom of the dry lock before it was flooded and opened for shipping. This was the inspiration which resulted in the founding of Abou Saad Shrine of Panama. The plaque laid during the 1913 ceremonial is still the only plaque installed in the entire canal, except those dedicated to those who died in the building of the canal.
In 1996, Osman again traveled to the Republic of Panama and conducted the Shrine’s first all country ceremonial with representatives from Canada, Mexico, Panama, and the United States in the cast. The Divan members, Imperial Potentate, and our spouses were honored to go out to the center control house of the 2nd chamber of the Miraflores Lock to view the 1913 plaque.
In order to be a Shriner you must first be a Master Mason. That means that you have petitioned a local Lodge, been voted on and have been initatiated, passed and raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. This process takes anywhere from just a couple of months if you take part in a One Day to Masonry Class or could take 4 or 5 months as a lodge usually does only one degree per month. The cost of joining a Lodge varies anywhere from $125 to $250. Annual dues also vary anywhere from $50 to $100.
To join Osman Shrine you need to complete the petition below and submit to our office. The cost of joining Osman Shrine is $150 and includes your Fez and the current year dues. Once you have joined, Osman annual dues are $75. There may be other costs when you join a club or unit ranging from buying dinner each month to buying a Harley Davidson motorcycle. No matter what, the clubs and units are the backbone of Osman Shrine and we encourage anyone thinking about joining Osman to think about what sort of interests they have and which club or unit will best serve the member.
We encourage you to ask questions before joining so that you, your lady and your family are comfortable with Osman Shrine.
Osman Shrine is always looking for new members. If you are interested in joining Osman Shrine you can obtain a Petition for Membership by clicking here.
To learn more about the Shrine and the Fraternity please visit BeAShrinerNow.com.
