Bro. Francesco Toto decided that he wanted to create a film that gives voice to Freemasons to talk about their motivation to join Freemasonry and what freemasonry provided them in their daily lives. I sat down with Brother Toto to chat about his own background and motivations to pull this film together…

Aaron: Brother Francesco Toto. How are you?

Francesco: Not too bad, Brother Garner

Aaron: Wonderful. So, I thought we’d start off just by asking some simple questions, such as, who are you, what lodge you’re in, what chapter you are in, and what ELLC area?

Francesco: I’m Brother Francesco Toto, Maccabee Lodge 8947 and Ark and Menorah Chapter 6594. I’m the City East, ELLC Area Chairman. In Maccabee I’m currently Senior Warden and going into the chair next year.

Aaron: Fantastic. So, you are a very busy person it seems.

I know that you mention some of this in the film, but what brought you to Freemasonry?

Well, I always said, a kind of “passion”. For mysteries, just because I love things that you don’t really know or can explain.

That’s why I’m a pharmacist as well. But after reading about it, I started to discover more about Freemasonry. I also ended up meeting a guy who became a close friend of mine from Milan living in Turin and is part of the film. And through him I started to discover more. But at that moment, I wanted to join.

I was moving to the UK, so I decided to settle and then join Freemasonry in the UK as it was open to walk-ins, which made the difference because I didn’t know anyone. You just walk in and ask to join Freemasonry. I started to read and then I discovered it was just what I was born for.

Basically, like being a pharmacist is just my profession. So, every time, even if I have a bad day, I go to the lodge, then I think, yeah, it was worth it. So, I think it is something that I was born for and waiting for the right time to join.

Aaron: That’s great. Thank you very much. And I think that’s a common thread.

When you speak to Freemasons, sometimes they might be having a bad time, or they’re having a bad day, or a bad week or something. But when you go to your lodge, everything’s okay. Because you’ve got people there that are supportive and it’s just a break from the stuff outside… Outside that “tyled” door.

Francesco: Absolutely. And plus, when we have a bad day with each other, we always give a hug, and everything is okay straight away.

Aaron: So, coming on to the Film then… You decided that you wanted to make this film, why did you want to make it?

Francesco: Because the film kind of compiles the reflections of brethren, looking at the reasons that they became a Freemason or how they became Freemasons.

Aaron: Why did you want to make this film in particular?

Francesco: Because as a comms for the area in the Province. I created something called the Man Behind The Apron because everyone sees the personal side and sees the Mason.

So, basically, I wanted to show the person for who they really are and to break the myth that freemasonry is just for some kind of people and not for everyone. And that not everyone has to be multimillionaire because some people think, you must be very rich to be a freemason, which is not true or just a doctor, things like that, and this film shows that doesn’t matter.

Your culture doesn’t matter. Your nationality, the color of the skin, we don’t really care. If you are a good person, and you’re a person that wants to help others, you’re more than welcome. I wanted to do the film to give voice to people that were not in an area office for the comms, or for ELLC to show that it doesn’t matter who you are.

You can be a fellow craft, you can be an entered apprentice, or you can be an Assistant Provincial Grand Master. You’re always the same, and everyone can help each other, and we are there for each other.

Aaron: Fantastic. Because there’s so many things that me and you have been involved with, with the charity side, but you like to organize social events and those kinds of things as well. You’ve even had social events at your own house that you host.

But you enjoy the ritual as well. So, out of all of the aspects of Freemasonry…
What’s your favorite part about being a Freemason?

Francesco: Well, I like all of it, but if I must choose, I like to learn. So, I’m more for the ritual side, but at the same time, I also like to direct people and show how to do things and because I am not just teaching them, but I am teaching myself at the same time.

I think when you teach somebody, the first student is yourself, so in this way I can learn more from other people, brethren, and improve myself while I’m helping them to improve them too. So I think that’s probably the best part and my favorite part.

Aaron: Excellent. You are preaching to the converted, to me, as a learning development professional.

I completely agree with everything you just said. The best way to learn is to teach.

Thank you very much Brother Toto and um, I’m sure everybody looks forward to watching the film.

Francesco: Thank you very much.

Watch the film here: https://youtu.be/5Q0hzzinH6U